What Lies Ahead: The Minnesota State men's basketball team opens the 2009-10 season Sunday afternoon with a matinee against Monmouth (Ill.) College at 3 p.m.
What's in a Win: A win would mark the 1,127th win in program history...It would also mark the third win in program history over Monmouth...A win would be the sixth season-opening victory for head coach Matt Margenthaler and the 57th in program history...A win would be the 115th by the Mavericks in the Taylor Center and its third consecutive home victory.
Monmouth Musings: Sunday's game represents the season-opener for Monmouth as well. Thursday, the Fighting Scots traveled to Macomb, Ill., to play Western Illinois in an exhibition game. Monmouth returns four starters from a year ago, led by senior forward Zach Ott and junior post Eric Cogdill. Ott averaged 8.5 points and 3.6 rebounds a year ago, while Cogdill averaged 8.9 points and 4.6 rebounds.
Last year, Monmouth finished with an 8-15 record. Head coach Mark Vershaw is in his third year with the program.
MSU-Monmouth Notables: MSU is 2-0 against Monmouth. The two teams met Jan. 4, 2008, with MSU coming away with a 87-62 victory. Last year, MSU opened the home portion of its schedule with a 102-50 victory over the Fighting Scots.
On the Air: Fans can follow Minnesota State men's basketball all season long on the Radio Mankato family of stations. Tune into AM 1420 KTOE Sunday at 2:40 p.m. for the pregame show featuring MSU Athletic Hall of Distinction member Casey Lloyd. Former MSU standout Kory Kettner will add commentary to the broadcast. Fans can also listen to the games on the world wide web at
www3.mnsu.edu/athletics.
Minnesota State History: The 2008-09 season marked the 85th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men’s basketball. The Mavericks are 1,126-813 (.581) in 1938 games since the program’s inception in the 1920-21 season. 2008 capped MSU’s 33rd and final season as a member of the North Central Conference, and MSU owned a 283-267 (.515) record in 550 league games played. In the NSIC, MSU owns a 14-6 record (.700). Minnesota State has captured 18 conference championships throughout its history, including four NCC titles (1975-76, 2005-06, a shared title in 2006-07 and 2007-08). The Mavericks have also made six previous appearances in the NCAA Tournament, going 7-7 (.500) in those trips.
What Lies Ahead: Minnesota State hosts the annual Pepsi Tip Off this weekend Nov. 20 and 21. MSU plays Maryville at 8 p.m. on Nov. 20 and Nebraska Kearney on Nov. 21.
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