Coach Slessinger's Quotes Following Saturday's Win At Northwestern State

GAME RECAP | GAME BOOK (PDF)

Opening statement
"We always talk about character getting revealed in tough situations. Christavious Gill is from about 40 minutes away from here. He used to come to camp here as a kid and wanted to play here. Luckily, they didn't recruit him and we were able to get him. He had a rough night from the field but steps up to the line and drains 12 out of 14 and just played his heart out. Kevin Hill came off the bench and had a massive effort. Erik Thomas was 6-for-7 from the free throw line, including the game winners, and Travin Thibodeaux had a monster game. The resiliency of our team to take coaching and receive the messages we're giving them on how we can turn this thing around and get back on the right track is amazing. This is a touch place to win. I've coached a lot of games in here and this is a very tough place for a visiting team to win a ballgame. This was a gut check for our ballclub and they answered."
 
On the team bouncing back following three tough losses
"They played with great character and they've been excited about the opportunity to go to Katy to compete for an opportunity to make the NCAA Tournament. They're very aware of what an opportunity like that does for not only our program but our University, which needs and deserves good news. No matter what, that's the overarching goal. We're working every day to try and prepare to get hot in Katy and make a run. I'm proud of their resiliency, of how they stuck together and how they kept fighting. There were some big moments in today's game."
 
On the importance of this game to him, claiming his first win over his former school
"It's more special for our student-athletes for the adversity they continue to fight through. I don't like to make political commentaries but it's important to at this juncture. Athletics in higher education has come under attack. These kids come in and sacrifice hour after hour for the right things. They stand for the right things. Their graduation rates are high. They're good citizens. They do the right things. I'm proud to be part of athletics in higher education in this state. I'm proud to be a part of the Southland Conference, I'm proud to be a part of the University of Louisiana system, and more importantly to work at the University of New Orleans. Coach Mike has done so much for me and my coaching career. He's one of the sole reasons I am where I am. Being able to work with the assistants that were on his staff – what a blessing. This is a special place for me and my family. We lived here for over a decade and we made a lot of friends. This was a great win for our team. It wasn't about me or about any of that. It's about Danny Cohen coming home and getting a win. It's about Christavious Gill, from 40 miles down the road in Alexandria, coming home and getting a win and sticking free throws down the stretch."
 
On the way his team shot free throws today
"I was proud of the way our guys stepped up to shoot them with confidence. They had great confidence in one another and played a fantastic game. It was a big night for us. The guys worked their tail off all week to prepare for the opportunity and they answered the bell."