Coach Slessinger's Comments Heading Into Thursday's Game Against Sam Houston State

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NEW ORLEANS NOTES | SAM HOUSTON NOTES
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Opening statement
"This is a really big game for us. We're playing the preseason favorite in Sam Houston State. They're a team that is very well coached, they do a great job and they have been at the top of our league for several years. It's one that we know we're going to have to play nearly perfect, we have to be great defensively and we have to keep them off the offensive glass. We're also going to have to execute offensively against a very good defensive team."
 
On how his team has been playing and practicing of late
"They're playing really hard and very unselfishly on the offensive end, and they need to continue to be. We've had different guys step up each night. We've had some guys step up and both make great defensive efforts and offensive efforts. It's been a total team effort both in training and in practice, and on the floor. I'm so proud of their attitudes and how they've worked to get us back in this position. This is where we've always envisioned the program to be, and I know the people who have come here before us with our great tradition and our alumni expect us to be as well. Hopefully we can continue to work and in the mix."
 
On preseason Southland Conference favorite Sam Houston State
"They're extremely well coached. Jason Hooten and I have gone against each other as assistants and head coaches in this league for probably 13 or 14 years now. I think they're very good. They've got incredible depth. They'll go 12 guys deep. Their guard play is good. They've got forwards that will score. They're about as total a package as a team as there is in this league. Our work is going to be cut out for us."
 
On the importance of playing at home and having a good crowd on hand
"It's massive. We've got an incredible home-court advantage here in Lakefront Arena. It's a place that we love to play. Our guys generally play well and shoot it really well here. We're excited to be back in here tomorrow night with a great crowd of our family, friends and alumni."