Mavericks Open 2024-25 schedule with exhibition at Kentucky – Minnesota State University

MANKATO, Minn. — Minnesota State opens its 2024-25 season with an exhibition contest on the road on Tuesday when it hosts the Kentucky Wildcats. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. (CT) at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky.

Minnesota State History: The 2024-25 season marks the 103rd campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men’s basketball. The Mavericks are 1,448-947 (.604) in 2,395 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 compiled a 230–116 (.664) 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 victory over Minnesota Crookston on February 23. It marked their first NSIC Championship since the 2013–14 season. MSU then won the NSIC Tournament Championship with its 97-77 victory over Minnesota Duluth in the conference tournament final.

After defeating Arkansas Tech (75-68), MSU Moorhead (78-55) and Northwest Missouri State (43-42) in the 2024 NCAA Central Region Tournament, Minnesota State advanced to its second NCAA Elite Eight under head coach Matt Margenthaler. Wins over Ferris State (98-70) and West Texas A&M (79-72) saw the Mavericks reach the NCAA Championship game for the first time in team history. MSU would go on to defeat Nova Southeastern 88-85, including the game-winning three-pointer from the senior Kyreese Willingham by 0.8 to win its first NCAA DII championship in team history.

Against the Wildcats: Tuesday’s meeting between Minnesota State and Kentucky marks their first meeting between them.

Regarding Mavericks: Minnesota State finished its 2023-24 season with a 35-2 record as it won its first NCAA DII championship in team history. The Mavericks also claimed their fifth Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference regular-season championship after a 20-2 league record. MSU also won its third NSIC Tournament championship.

As a team, MSU averaged 84.9 points and 38.7 rebounds per game. The Mavericks also dished out 561 assists and forced 433 turnovers.

Senior Kyreese Willingham averaged 14.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game last season as a senior Justin Eagins posted 12.6 points and 3.5 rebounds per game while making 86 three pointers.

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthalerwho is in his 24th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 488-211 (.699).

About the Wildcats: Kentucky finished its 2023-24 season with a 23-10 record, including a 13-5 SEC record. The Wildcats advanced to the first round of the NCAA Tournament last season, falling to Oakland 80-76.

Ansley Almonor averaged 16.4 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. game while finishing with 93 three-pointers at Fairleigh Dickinson last season. Andrew Carr averaged 13.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game at Wake Forest last season.

Kentucky is coached by Mark Pope, who is in his first season as head coach of the Wildcats. He owns a career record of 187-108 (.634), including a 110-52 (.679) record as the head coach at BYU before joining Kentucky.

Rewriting the record book: Minnesota State set single-season highs in multiple team categories last season.

Score – 3,141 points

Field Goals made – 1,159

Field Goals Attempted – 2,362

3pt Field Goals – 342

3pt Field Goals Attempted – 895

Most played games – 37

Winner in one season – 35