After defeating Huntingdon College 94-69 in the first exhibition game of the season, the Hornets will step up in class as they host Ft. Valley State Tuesday, Nov. 5 in the team's final exhibition game. The game will be part of a double-header with the Lady Hornets and is scheduled to tipoff at 8 p.m.

The two teams also played last season in an exhibition in which the Hornets built a big second half lead only to see the visitors come roaring back. In the end ASU held on for the 69-58 win.

There were several things the coaching staff wanted the team to work on following the first exhibition game last week. One of those was team defense.

"I liked to think we are going to be a little bit better at it than we were on Thursday (Huntingdon)," Head Coach Lewis Jackson said. "The guys have been working hard and they are trying to do the things we are asking them to do and they are coming out and giving an effort so hopefully we can come out tomorrow and have a little bit more intensity."

This year the Hornets brought in a couple of young guards to go along with last year's returning starter Jamel Waters. With the way the Hornets want to get the ball out and run it may turn into a big advantage ASU can have to guards on the floor at the same time that can get the ball up and down the court.

"Jamel came in as a freshman last year and did some good things and I like to think he is better this year," Jackson said. "DeMarcus Robinson has come in and given us that added punch, he can shoot it and he can put it on the floor and push it. Also, Terrance Leflore is doing a good job of trying to push the ball and making good decisions with it. So we have some guards that can push it down the floor and we have some wing guys that can get down the floor and run with them."

"It's a matter of finishing and making good decisions. Often times we try to go for the home run instead of making the right decisions. Sometimes we want to do something spectacular instead of making the simple pass. It's still a work in progress, but I like the energy."

This game will be ASU's final preparation for the upcoming season as a road game against Big 10 opponent Illinois awaits the young Hornets Friday, Nov. 8 in Champaign, Ill. to start the 2013-14 regular season.