MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State begins action in the first round of the NSIC Tournament this Wednesday as it hosts the Winona State Warriors. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at Taylor Center.

The winner of the game between MSU and WSU will take on Southwest Minnesota State in the second round of the NSIC Tournament on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. The final three rounds of the NSIC Tournament will be held at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Minnesota State History: The 2025-26 season marks the 104th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,487-970 (.605) in 2,457 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 258-132 (.661) 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.

NSIC Tournament: Minnesota State owns a 25-13 record in NSIC Tournament games dating back to the 2008-09 season. The Mavericks have won three NSIC Tournament Championships in 2013, 2014 and 2024.

Minnesota State's meeting with Winona State on Wednesday will be their third all-time meeting in the NSIC Tournament. WSU defeated MSU 82-74 in the semifinals of the 2011 tournament, before the Mavericks bested the Warriors 75-66 in the finals of the 2014 tournament.

Against the Warriors: Wednesday's game between Minnesota State and Winona State marks their 154th all-time meeting, with MSU leading the series with a 97-56 record against the Warriors. Earlier this season in McCown Gymnasium, Winona State bested Minnesota State 83-75, before the Mavericks defeated the Warriors 77-66 in Taylor Center.

Senior Malcolm Jones is averaging 21.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game against the Warriors this season, while junior Traijan Sain has tallied 14.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. Junior Caden Kirkman is averaging 12.0 points and 11.0 rebounds against WSU as well.

For the Warriors, Ryan Heise has tallied 15.0 points and 5.5 rebounds a game against the Mavericks, while Tyler Mason has posted 14.0 points and 2.5 rebounds a game. Alessandro Tonelli has recorded 12.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game also.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 23-26 record against Winona State, including a 12-11 record at Taylor Center.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the week the owner of a 19-11 record, including a 13-9 NSIC record. Last week MSU defeated Winona State 77-66 at home, before falling to Concordia-St. Paul 87-69 on the road.

As a team, MSU is averaging 78.4 points and 37.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 44.3% from the field and 32.5% from three point range. The Mavericks have passed out 366 assists and have forced 336 turnovers.

Junior Traijan Sain is averaging 13.4 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, while senior Malcolm Jones has tallied 12.7 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. Junior Arhman Lewis is posting 12.0 points and 5.8 assists per game, while junior Caden Kirkman has notched 10.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Freshman Colton Benson is averaging 9.6 points per game and leads the team in three pointers with 51.

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 25th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 527-234 (.692). 

Concerning the Warriors: Winona State enters the week the owner of a 9-18 record, including an 8-14 NSIC record. WSU has lost its last five games, including a pair of losses to Minnesota State (77-66) and St. Cloud State (62-50). 

As a team, WSU is averaging 67.8 points and 32.4 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 43.8% from the field and 30.9% from three point range. The Warriors have passed out 287 assists and have forced 269 turnovers.

Tyler Mason leads the Warriors with 14.0 points a game and in three pointers made with 60. Ryan Heise is posting 13.9 points and 5.9 rebounds per game also, while Alessandro Tonelli has notched 8.3 points per game and 40 three pointers.

Winona State is coached by Todd Eisner who is in his 11th season as head coach with the Warriors and his 28th season overall. He owns a 167-136 (.551) record at Winona State and a 583-302 (.658) career record.

1,000 Point Watch: Minnesota State junior Traijan Sain recorded his 1,000 career point when he tallied 29 points against Augustana (2/12/26). He has now tallied 1,064 career points.

Junior Arhman Lewis has recorded 924 career points and is just 76 points away from reaching 1,000 for his career.