One could determine that Balado started his career at Arkansas State at a disadvantage, replacing the popular one-and-done Grant McCasland whose demeanor was nearly the polar opposite of Balado’s brash and volcanic nature.
Mike Balado
The Red Wolves finished 13-20; next to last in the Sun Belt. Where does a program go from that?
The crowd would feel the comeback, like knees pressed against the back of their stadium seats. The air tasted like chemicals! You can’t beat someone who won’t give up!
A bit of the Balado Bravado is tempered
What we have is a Team of Intrigue, one that has my hopes simmering come November.
Can Caleb Fields consistently dish and dime? Can he be counted on to beat the press? Most importantly, can he elevate the guys around him?
Nobody expects Boutayeb to be the next Norchad Omier, but he brings a presence in the paint that the Red Wolves had missed since 7-footer Jason Jennings left the program twenty years ago.
All in all, it’s a bad look for everyone. Omier looks disingenuous. Mike Balado looks the fool. TomBowen and the athletic department look weak, and the fans look like idiots with their jaws unhinged and chins resting on the floor.
If I’m reading this tweet correctly, Omier is committed to another season in Jonesboro, which is great news for Arkansas State and not-so-great news for any Sun Belt player assigned to guard him.
According to the natural laws of time and space, this season is a fixture of the past – a permanent addition to the ether