Meet the Fighting Myron Medcalfs of Minnesota State, Kentucky's next preseason opponent

Kentucky Basketball had no problem with the Fighting Ryan Lemonds of Kentucky Wesleyan in the first preseason exhibition game, winning by 71 points last Wednesday. Tonight, the Wildcats will play another preseason game, hosting the Fighting Myron Medcalfs of Minnesota State University, Mankato at Rupp Arena in Lexington. Medcalf, who guest-hosted KSR on Merry Mondays throughout the summer, attended Minnesota State, where he was the editor-in-chief of the student newspaper. Let’s make him proud with a preview of the Wildcats versus the Mavericks with things to know about MNSU.

Minnesota State University Things To Know

• Renamed from Mankato State University in 1998, its full name is now Minnesota State University, Mankato, to include the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system into its branding. Located in Mankato, Minnesota, the school goes by Minnesota State for short.

• Minnesota State is Minnesota’s second-largest university, with an underground enrollment of 12,806 last fall.

• “Stomper The Maverick” is the live mascot for the Mavericks. The school changed to the Mavericks from the Indians in 1977. Before the Indians, they were the Peds, short for pedagogues.

• Minnesota State was the fictional school in the popular TV show Coach. Coach Fox and Dauber had a great run with the Screaming Eagles, including a national championship victory in the 1993 Pioneer Bowl.

• Minnesota State hosted the Minnesota Vikings summer training camp from 1966 to 2017. Approximately 60,000 fans traveled to Blakeslee Stadium for the Vikings’ preseason practices each year until ownership moved the annual tradition to Eagan, Minnesota. Former Viking wide receiver Adam Thielen played his college ball at Minnesota State.

• Myron Medcalf is KSR’s favorite Minnesota State alum, but Vice President candidate Tim Walz is now the school’s most notable alum. Walz earned a Master of Science degree in Experimental Education.

Defending NCAA DII National Champions

The last time Minnesota State played a basketball game, the Mavericks won the NCAA Division II Championship, the first in school history. Minnesota State defeated defending champion Nova Southeastern, 88-85, in the 2024 championship game in Evansville, Indiana. Kyreese Willingham called game with a tie-breaking, game-winning, buzzer-beating 3-pointer from the corner.

A record year

The 2023-24 championship season was a record year for Minnesota State. The Mavericks set new single-season highs in several team categories last season:

• Points: 3,141
• Field Goals Made: 1,159
• Field Goals Attempted: 2,362
• 3-Pointers: 342
• 3-Pointers Attempted: 895
• Games: 37
• Wins: 35

NCAA hero Willingham is back

Kyreese Willingham, the hero from last year’s championship game, is one of Minnesota State’s top returning players and one of the best players in all of DII. Last season, the 6-foot-5 guard averaged 14.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, earning All-NSIC First Team recognition.

Division I schools called but the Mavericks retained Willingham with one of the best NIL setups in DII. With him, fellow guard Justin Eagins returns to the backcourt. Eagins averaged 12.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists, earning Second Teal All-NSIC honors.

Matt Margenthaler, Head Coach

Entering his 24th season on the job, Matt Margenthaler leads Minnesota State with a career record of 488-211 (.699). The Mavericks have eight conference championships, 14 NCAA Tournament appearances and one NCAA Division II Championship with Margenthaler as the head coach.

Margenthaler spoke with KSR+ to preview tonight’s game.

No. 1 in the Preseason Power 10

NCAA.com ranked the top DII programs heading into the 2024-25 season, and Minnesota State claimed the top spot. The explanation:

No. 1 Minnesota State | 2024 final ranking: 1. Kyreese Willingham is back for the defending champs, and the last time we saw him, he was drilling the game-winning shot in a thrilling finale to the season. I expect him to contend for the Bevo Francis Award. Justin Eagins, who started every game for the champs, is also back after scoring 12.6 points per game and shooting an impressive 41.3 percent from 3-point land. The Mavericks also brought in some nice transfers like David Harmon (10.6 points per game for Wayne State (Neb) last year) and Caden Kirkman (8.3 points per game at Augustana (SD) in 2024) with NSIC experience.

NCAA.com

This is the first-ever meeting between Kentucky and Minnesota State

Kentucky and Minnesota State will meet for the first time in tonight’s game, so it’s a high-stakes first game for the series.

Go Cats.