Mavericks to Conclude Homestand Against Mustangs and Cougars – Minnesota State University

MANKATO, Minn. — Minnesota State wraps up its four-game home games this weekend at the Taylor Center when it faces Southwest Minnesota State on Friday at 5:30 p.m. and Sioux Falls on Saturday at 3:30 p.m

History of the State of Minnesota: The 2022-23 season marks the 101st campaign as a college sport for Minnesota state men’s basketball. The Mavericks have gone 1,411-941 (.599) in 2,352 games since the program began in the 1920–21 season. MSU completed its 33rd and final season as a member of the NCC in 2008, holding a record 283-267 (.515) in 550 league games played. In the NSIC, MSU owns a record of 207-101 (.672), which ties with four regular-season championships and two tournament championships.

Against the Mustangs: Friday’s game between the state of Minnesota and the state of Southwest Minnesota marks their 69th meeting of all time, with MSU leading the series 48-20. SMSU has won its last three games against the Mavericks, including a 62-58 win at Marshall earlier this season.

Junior Malik Willingham and second graders Harrison Bradis each scored 12 points, with Willingham also notching nine rebounds.

Dunwa Omot led the Mustangs with 17 points while Jake Phipps scored 13 points.

head coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 27-14 record against SMSU, including a 14-5 record at the Taylor Center.

Against the Cougars: Saturday’s game between Minnesota State and Sioux Falls marks their 30th encounter of all time, with MSU leading the series 21-8. USF won their earlier meeting that season 71-48 in Sioux Falls.

second grader Kyreese Willingham scored nine points and eight rebounds for the Mavericks as a freshman Malcolm Jones scored eight points and six rebounds.

Kenji Scales led the Cougars with 17 points and seven rebounds while Matt Cartwright had 15 points and seven rebounds.

head coach Matt Margenthaler owns an 18-7 record against Sioux Falls, including a 10-3 record at the Taylor Center.

To the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the week holders of a 14-8 record, including an 8-8 NSIC record. Last weekend, the Mavericks fell at home to UMary (69-67) before beating Minot State (70-66).

As a team, MSU averages 79.1 points and 39.1 rebounds per game while shooting 45.6% from the field. The Mavericks shoot 36.9% from three-point range and have 302 assists and 79 blocks.

Junior Malik Willingham is averaging 18.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game this season. second grader Kyreese Willingham also averaged 13.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game as a senior Trevor Moore also has 15.0 points and 3.9 rebounds per game.

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 22nd season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 450-205 (.687).

About the Mustangs: Southwest Minnesota State enters the weekend holders of a 13-8 record, including a 9-7 NSIC record. Last weekend, SMSU fell on the road against Bemidji State (83-76) and Minnesota Crookston (71-63).

As a unit, SMSU is averaging 67.6 points and 34.6 rebounds per game this season while shooting 46.2% from the field and 34.2% from long range. The Mustangs have given up 258 assists and recorded 130 steals.

Dunwa Omot leads the Mustangs with 16.5 points and 3.0 rebounds per game. Jake Phipps has also averaged 11.7 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, while Anthony Costello has averaged 11.5 points and 3.0 assists per game.

Southwest Minnesota State is coached by Brad Bigler, who is in his 14th season as the Mustangs head coach. He owns a record of 218-173.

To the cougars: Sioux Falls enters the weekend holders of a 16-6 record, including an 11-5 NSIC record. USF has won its last three games, including two road wins at Minnesota’s Crookston (98-74) and Bemidji State (76-75).

As a team, USF is averaging 74.2 points and 36.8 rebounds per game this season while shooting 43.2% from the field and 37.0% from three-point range. The Cougars have given up 339 assists and recorded 117 steals.

Matt Cartwright leads the Cougars this season with 22.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, while Jack Thompson has averaged 10.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. Noah Pütz has also scored 8.8 points per game.

Chris Johnson is in his 16th season as head coach at Sioux Falls. He owns a record of 259-179.

block party: Senior Kelby Kramer ranks second all-time in career blocks in the state of Minnesota with 191. He trails behind Chris Witfield (2003-06), who is MSU’s all-time leader in blocks at 224.

1,000 point clock: Junior Malik Willingham has 896 career points in four seasons with the Mavericks. He is 104 points away from becoming the 42nd member of the MSU 1,000 Point Club.