By Chad Courrier
Free Press Staff Writer
MANKATO — The Minnesota State men's basketball is rated No. 1 in Division II for the first time in program history, but that's also cause for concern for coach Matt Margenthaler as his team prepares for Saturday's North Central Conference game at St. Cloud State.
"We've been ranked in the top five pretty much all year so this shouldn't be any different," Margenthaler said. "We've been two, three or four all season, and we know the things we need to do to get better. Now we have to go on the road for three tough ballgames."
The Mavericks have games at South Dakota on Feb. 11 and at Nebraska-Omaha on Feb. 12 before finishing the regular season at home against Augustana (Feb. 19), North Dakota (Feb. 24) and Nebraska-Omaha (Feb. 26).
The Mavericks (19-2, 5-1 in NCC) have a one-game lead in the NCC over North Dakota, with Nebraska-Omaha in third at 3-2.
Minnesota State, who have been rated No. 1 in the region, was fourth in last week's national poll, but No. 1 Virginia Union and No. 2 Metropolitan State both lost. The Mavericks, who received two first-place votes, leaped over Bentley College, which was third last week and received five first-place votes.
"Its a benchmark for the program," Margenthaler said. "It's where every team wants to be. But it's not about where we are now, it's where we want to end up."
When Margenthaler was an assistant coach at South Dakota State, the Jackrabbits were ranked No. 1 for one week but then lost the next game.
The Mavericks and Huskies play at 8 p.m. Saturday. Minn-esota State defeated St. Cloud State 101-98 in overtime at Bresnan Arena on Jan. 15.
