Like tempo on ‘O’

When Texas State postponed Arkansas State’s visit on Jan. 8-9 due to covid-19, it gave the Red Wolves (5-6, 2-2 Sun Belt Conference) 13 days between games from Jan. 2-15. It also meant the Red Wolves — who were swept by Louisiana-Monroe on Jan. 1-2 — would get an immediate rematch with the Warhawks the following weekend beginning Jan. 15.

With nearly two weeks to prepare for Louisiana Monroe, ASU focused on its offensive tempo to attack the Warhawks as Coach Mike Balado prepped his team to inbound the ball in three seconds or less and wanted them to push the pace in transition. Two weeks after dropping a pair of games to the Warhawks, the Red Wolves swept Louisiana-Monroe last weekend, outscoring the visitors 167-144 in the pair of games

“We really emphasized pace of play and I thought that was something we did very good on both nights,” Balado said. “I really think it wore them down a little bit.”