MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State continues action in the NSIC Tournament this Sunday as it takes on the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.

The winner of the game between MSU and SMSU will take on the winner of the game between St. Cloud State and Sioux Falls in the third round of the NSIC Tournament on Monday, at 4:30 p.m., at the Sanford Pentagon.

Minnesota State History: The 2025-26 season marks the 104th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,488-970 (.605) in 2,458 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 26-13 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 Southwest Minnesota State on Sunday will be their fourth all-time meeting in the NSIC Tournament. SMSU defeated MSU 80-78 in the opening round of the NSIC Tournament in 2010, before the Mavericks defeated the Mustangs in the semifinals of both the 2014 (68-57) and 2024 (68-67) tournaments.

Against the Mustangs: Sunday's game between Minnesota State and Southwest Minnesota State marks their 77th all-time meeting, with MSU leading the series with a 52-24 record against the Mustangs. Earlier this season in R/A Facility, SMSU bested the Mavericks 78-66, before the Mavericks defeated SMSU 74-71 in Taylor Center.

Junior Traijan Sain is averaging 19.0 points and 5.0 rebounds a game against the Mustangs this season, while junior Arhman Lewis has tallied 13.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists a game. Sophomore Will Opsahl has tallied 12.5 points and 4.0 rebounds a game against SMSU also.

For the Mustangs, Mekhi Shaw has averaged 17.5 points per game against the Mavericks, while Jakob Braaten has notched 14.5 points, 6.0 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game. Micah Schlaak has notched 14.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game against the Mavericks also.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 31-18 record against Southwest Minnesota State, including a 4-0 neutral site record.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 20-11 record, including a 13-9 NSIC record. MSU defeated Winona State 74-62 in the first round of the NSIC Tournament.

As a team, MSU is averaging 78.2 points and 37.7 rebounds per game, while shooting 44.3% from the field and 32.9% from three point range. The Mavericks have passed out 380 assists and have forced 340 turnovers.

Junior Traijan Sain is averaging 13.1 points and 3.7 rebounds per game, while senior Malcolm Jones has tallied 12.6 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. Junior Arhman Lewis is posting 12.0 points and 5.9 assists per game, while junior Caden Kirkman has notched 11.0 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Freshman Colton Benson is averaging 9.7 points per game and leads the team in three pointers with 54.

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 25th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 528-234 (.692). 

Concerning the Mustangs: Southwest Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 16-11 record, including a 14-8 NSIC record. In its most recent outings, SMSU bested Augustana 86-67, before falling to Wayne State 72-42.

As a team, SMSU is averaging 73.0 points and 32.5 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 48.3% from the field and 39.7% from three point range. The Mustangs have passed out 364 assists and have forced 322 turnovers.

Jakob Braaten is averaging 14.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists a game this season, while Aeron Stevens has notched 12.4 points and 3.5 rebounds a game. Mekhi Shaw has posted 11.7 points a game also, while Micah Schlaak has tallied 11.6 points and 4.9 rebounds.

Southwest Minnesota State is coached by Brad Bigler who is in his 17th season as head coach of the Mustangs. He owns a 277-210 (.569) 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 1,070 career points.

Junior Arhman Lewis has recorded 937 career points and is just 63 points away from reaching 1,000 for his career.

Junior Caden Kirkman has tallied 905 career points and is just 95 points away from 1,000 for his career.