MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State continues its NSIC South Division schedule on the road this week as it travels to Augustana on Thursday for a 7:30 p.m. game, before finishing the week with a 3:00 p.m. game at Wayne State on Saturday.

Minnesota State History: The 2025-26 season marks the 104th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,485-968 (.605) in 2,453 games since the program's inception in the 1920-21 season. Since joining the NSIC prior to the start of the 2008-09 season, MSU has put together a 256-130 (.663) conference record to go with five regular-season championships and three tournament championships.

The Mavericks won the 2023-24 NSIC regular season championship with an 82-62 win over Minnesota Crookston on Feb. 23. It marked their first NSIC Championship since the 2013-14 season. MSU then went on to win the NSIC Tournament Championship with its 97-77 win over Minnesota Duluth in the finals of the conference tournament. The Mavericks would go on to win their first NCAA Championship as they defeated Nova Southeastern 88-85 in the NCAA Championship game.

Against the Vikings: Thursday's game between Minnesota State and Augustana marks their 134th all-time meeting, with MSU leading the series with a 70-63 record against the Vikings. Earlier this season in Taylor Center, Augustana bested Minnesota State 76-68.

Junior Caden Kirkman notched 18 points and eight rebounds, while junior Traijan Sain posted 16 points and four assists. Sophomore Will Opsahl tallied 15 points as well.

For the Vikings, Caden Hinker notched a double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Tameron Ferguson recorded 20 points and seven rebounds as well.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 30-22 record against Augustana, including an 11-11 record on the road.

Against the Wildcats: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Wayne State marks their 44th all-time meeting, with the Mavericks leading the series 37-6. MSU has won its last eight meeting against WSC, including a 71-60 win at Taylor Center earlier this season.

Sophomore Will Opsahl tallied 19 points, while junior Caden Kirkman netted 16 points. Junior Traijan Sain added 13 points and five assists, while senior Malcolm Jones hauled in 11 rebounds.

Andrew Stokes tallied 14 points for the Wildcats, while Darshan Thomas tallied 11 points. Aurrion Harris posted 12 rebounds also.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns an 32-4 record against the Wildcats, including a 15-2 record at Rice Auditorium.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the week the owner of a 17-9 record, including an 11-7 NSIC record. The Mavericks have won their last 10 games, including a pair of home wins against Sioux Falls (98-95) and Southwest Minnesota State (74-71) last week.

As a team, MSU is averaging 78.5 points and 37.3 rebounds per game, while shooting 45.0% from the field and 33.7% from three point range. The Mavericks have passed out 320 assists and have forced 318 turnovers.

Junior Traijan Sain is averaging 12.8 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, while senior Malcolm Jones has tallied 12.5 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. Junior Arhman Lewis is posting 11.6 points and 5.7 assists per game, while Junior Caden Kirkman has notched 11.1 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. Freshman Colton Benson is averaging 9.6 points per game and leads the team in three pointers with 45.

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 25th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 525-232 (.693). 

Concerning the Vikings: Augustana enters the week  the owner of a 16-7 record, including a 14-4 NSIC record. AU has won its last eight games, including a pair of road wins against Concordia-St. Paul (88-81) and Winona State (62-54) last week.

As a team, AU is averaging 82.5 points and 35.3 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 49.1% from the field and 37.8% from three point range. The Vikings have passed out 338 assists and have forced 238 turnovers.

Tameron Ferguson is averaging 20.0 points and 6.4 assists per game this season, while Caden Hinker has tallied 15.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. Sam Rensch has posted 13.7 points per game also, while Tanner Te Slaa has notched 10.0 points per game.

Augustana is coached by Cody Schilling who is in his second season as head coach with the Vikings and his fourth season overall. He owns a 28-25 (.528) record at Augustana and a 41-70 (.369) career record.

Concerning the Wildcats: Wayne State enters the week the owner of a 14-10 overall record, including a 10-8 NSIC record. Last week on the road, WSC fell to both Winona State (60-57) and Concordia-St. Paul (95-59).

As a team, WSC is averaging 76.5 points and 33.8 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 46.3% from the field and 36.4% from three point range. The Wildcats have passed out 299 assists and have forced 324 turnovers.

Matt Knoll is averaging 13.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, while Andrew Stokes has notched 13.2 points and 3.8 rebounds a game. JJ Ferrin is averaging 11.2 points per game and leads the team in three pointers with 52. Aurrion Harris is posting 10.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game also.

Wayne State is coached by Jeff Kaminsky, who is in his 10th season as head coach of the Wildcats. He owns a 144-136 (.514) record at WSC and a 443-443 (.500) career record.

1,000 Point Watch: Minnesota State junior Traijan Sain is closing in on 1,000 points for his college career. He recorded 690 points in two seasons at Kirkwood and his 306 points at MSU this season have brought his career total to 996 points.