CONWAY, Arkansas – This weekend's visit to the Central Arkansas Classic likely will evoke feelings at both ends of the spectrum for the Northwestern State men's basketball team.
 
The first half of the Demons' back-to-back games comes against the host Bears, a former Southland Conference rival, at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. NSU concludes its two-day stay in Conway with a 1 p.m. Sunday matchup against a first-time opponent, Bethune-Cookman.
 
Saturday's game can be seen on ESPN+ while free streaming audio is available for both games on www.NSUDemons.com and through the Northwestern State Athletics mobile app, which can be downloaded free for both Apple and Android devices.
 
The quick-turnaround setup for Northwestern State (3-2) comes in near-diametric opposition to a stretch of five games in the first 13 days of the season.
 
"It really helped expedite the growth of the team," first-year head coach Corey Gipson said. "It has really brought the brotherhood even closer. One thing about being on the road, you get a chance to sit down, eat and chill together. Our guys really take advantage of that time. I'm really impressed how, in a short period of time, these guys have come together even closer than when the season started."
 
That chemistry has helped the Demons start quickly and produce a signature 2-0 road trip to then-No. 15 TCU and Illinois State ahead of Thanksgiving week.
 
The performances of reigning Southland Conference Player of the Week DeMarcus Sharp and Ja'Monta Black, a pair of senior guards, have meshed alongside the promise of newcomers like freshmen Greedy Williams and Jalen Hampton.
 
The rapport built by playing three of the first five games on the road – including the extended Fort Worth to Normal, Illinois swing – has paid off up and down the roster.
 
"Right now, I feel like I'm adjusting pretty well," said Williams, who ranks second on the team with 12 assists. "There's always room to get better, a lot of room. I'm watching, learning, taking what I can from the game and the older guys to keep making an impact."
 
As the Demons get set to face their former conference rivals whom they last saw in March 2021, they will do at arguably their most rested since tipping of the season at then-No. 25 Texas Tech on Nov. 7.
 
When the Demons return to action after a nine-day break, they will do so against a similarly well-rested Bears (3-2) team that has not played since Nov. 19. Central Arkansas' last game came that day when they defeated Rider, 90-85, in the ASUN/MAAC Challenge in Dublin, Ireland.
 
"You take these days off leading into the MTE at Central Arkansas, our guys have honed in on what it takes to put the time and effort in for your body to recover," Gipson said. "It's not all about the physical. A big part of the game of life is from the shoulders up – what you're doing mentally.
 
"Central Arkansas, they have a real good team. They're well coached. We have to make sure we prepare, No. 1, for ourselves and, No. 2, for them. We don't take them lightly. We know they're off to a good start this year."
 
Following Saturday's matchup, the Demons wrap up their return to the Farris Center by facing Bethune-Cookman (2-3), which opens its stay in Conway by facing Idaho State.
 
The Wildcats have dropped three games against Division I opponents while defeating a pair of non-Division I opponents (Florida National, Trinity Baptist) in their third season under former NBA standout Reggie Theus.
 
"Reggie's a statesman and a professional," Gipson said. "We're thankful to be on this stage with any and everybody. It's a credit to him, the job he's done in that program."