The Minnesota State University Men’s Basketball Team was ranked 8th in the NCAA Division II standings released on March 8th.
The Mavericks finished the NCAA Tournament with an overall record of 28-5. Minnesota met Bellarmine in the Final Four and fell 81-74.
The Mavericks’ Season
The Mavericks had an incredible run at the NCAA Championships but fell short in the loss to Bellarmine in the semifinals 81-74. The Maverick senior class put up a fight and scored 69 of the team’s 74 points. Both teams attempted to go on runs and out score the other, but it wasn’t until the last few minutes of the game that Bellarmine pulled away.
There were several lead changes in the last few minutes, but a three pointer from Bellarmine sealed their lead and the victory. The Mavericks have seen much success this season with a Final Four appearance, the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference championship, and a 28-win season. Head Coach Matt Margenthaler leads the Mavericks and depends on Cameron Hodges, Jefferson Mason, and Marcus Hill to control the game.
About The Team
Head Coach Matt Margenthaler is in his tenth season at Minnesota State. In his tenure at the university he has earned six NCAA appearances, four conference titles, and coached four All-Americans. He has won the league’s Coach of the Year award five times, including this season.
Margenthaler was also named the district’s Coach of the Year this season for the first time in his ten years at Minnesota State. With his guidance this season, the Mavericks were ranked in the top-10 in 10 different categories.
Senior Cameron Hodges was named the NSIC’s Defensive Player of the Year and All-NSIC Second Team pick. Hodges averaged 12.3 points per game and 4 rebounds per game, while getting 14 steals and 8 blocked shots throughout the season.
His usual defensive assignment included guarding the opposing team’s highest scoring guard. Seniors Jefferson Mason and Marcus Hill were both named to the All-NSIC First Team and the NABC’s First-Team All-District.
Mason averaged 19.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, along with 47% from the field. He was also named to the Daktronics First-Team All-Central Region. Hill averaged 16.9 points per game and 4.77 assists per game. He was also 88.8% from the field and 45.5% from the three-point line. Hill has scored 20 or more points nine times and was also named to the Daktronics Second-Team All-Central Region.
About The School
Minnesota State University-Mankato is located in Mankato, MN and is known for its breakthrough research. Faculty and students work together to apply their knowledge to solve real-world problems. This research has received support from the private industry and the federal government.
There are over 140 undergraduate programs, 80 graduate programs, and a wide variety of online and off-campus learning opportunities for students to choose from. The university strives to turn the typical college experience into one that is more meaningful and connected to the rest of the world.
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