MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State resumes its NSIC South Division schedule this weekend in Taylor Center as it hosts Sioux Falls on Thursday and Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday. Tip-offs are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., respectively.

Minnesota State History: The 2025-26 season marks the 104th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,483-968 (.605) in 2,451 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 254-130 (.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.

Against the Cougars: Thursday's game between Minnesota State and Sioux Falls marks their 38th all-time meeting, with MSU leading the series with a 28-9 record against the Cougars. Earlier this season in Sioux Falls, USF defeated the Mavericks 98-90.

Freshman Phoenix Childs notched 27 points against the Cougars, while senior Malcolm Jones notched a double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Junior Arhman Lewis recorded 25 points and nine assists also.

Byron Laue notched a double-double with 18 points and six rebounds, while Brandon Hrncir recorded 18 points and nine rebounds. Brogan Madson added 18 points and six assists also.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 24-8 record against Sioux Falls, including an 13-3 record at Taylor Center.

Against the Mustangs: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Southwest Minnesota State marks their 76th all-time meeting, with the Mavericks leading the series 51-24. Earlier this season in Marshall, SMSU bested Minnesota State 78-66.

Junior Traijan Sain recorded 23 points and five rebounds, while sophomore Will Opsahl added 13 points and five rebounds. Freshman Colton Benson tallied 12 points as well.

Mekhi Shaw posted 23 points and six steals, while Micah Schlaak added 16 points and six steals of his own. Jakob Braaten tallied 11 points and six assists as well.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns an 30-18 record against the Mustangs, including a 13-8 record at Taylor Center.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the week the owner of a 15-9 record, including a 9-7 NSIC record. The Mavericks have won their last eight games, including a pair of road wins against Minnesota Crookston (85-62) and MSU Moorhead (82-66) last weekend.

As a team, MSU is averaging 77.9 points and 37.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 44.7% from the field and 32.9% from three point range. The Mavericks have passed out 290 assists and have forced 272 turnovers.

Senior Malcolm Jones leads the Mavericks with 12.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game this season. Junior Traijan Sain has notched 12.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game, while junior Arhman Lewis has tallied 11.6 points and 5.0 assists per game. Junior Caden Kirkman is averaging 11.2 points and 6.2 rebounds per game also.

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 25th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 523-232 (.692). 

Concerning the Cougars: Sioux Falls enters the week  the owner of a 12-10 record, including a 9-7 NSIC record. Last weekend on the road, USF bested Northern State 81-65, before falling to Jamestown 87-73.

As a team, USF is averaging 84.7 points and 40.7 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 45.2% from the field and 31.8% from three point range. The Cougars have passed out 335 assists and have forced 258 turnovers.

Brogan Madson is leading the Cougars with 18.1 points and 2.9 assists per game this season, while Taylen Ashley has notched 15.7 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. Brandon Hrncir has notched 13.9 points and 6.5 rebounds a game, while Kyle Ingwerson has posted 13.6 points a game and leads the team in three pointers made with 57.

Sioux Falls is coached by Chris Johnson who is in his 18th season as head coach with the Cougars and his 19th season overall. He owns a 295-221 (,572) record at USF and a 311-236 (.569) career record.

Concerning the Mustangs: Southwest Minnesota State enters the week the owner of a 14-7 overall record, including a 12-4 NSIC record. Last weekend on the road the Mustangs fell to both Jamestown (74-71 OT) and Northern State (70-63).

As a team, SMSU is averaging 75.0 points and 33.4 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 48.4% from the field and 41.3% from three point range. The Mustangs have passed out 285 assists and have forced 262 turnovers.

Jakob Braaten is averaging 15.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists a game this season, while Aeron Stevens has notched 13.0 points a game. Micah Schlaak is averaging 11.7 points a game and leads the team in three pointers with 43. 

Southwest Minnesota State is coached by Brad Bigler, who is in his 17th season as head coach of the Mustangs. He owns a 275-206 (.572) 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 279 points at MSU this season have brought his career total to 969 points.