Coach Slessinger's Quotes Following Thursday's 75-56 SLC Win Over McNeese

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Overall thoughts on the game
"We're so pleased with not only the team's attitude and effort, but the atmosphere. We had a great student section tonight that brought a ton of energy. Our administration did a great job of getting guys out here and helping grow the crowd. The energy was good and the guys feed off of it. It's always good to play in this building and with that kind of energy, it's a great building."
 
On what he felt his team did right against the Cowboys
"We guarded at a high rate for most of the night. We had very good voices defensively and did a good job of playing together. To hold that team to 2-for-18 from 3 is tough. They've got an array of shooters that can make shots from a lot of places and we were lucky tonight that they didn't make shots. We know they're going to shoot it very, very well back at their place and we're going to have our work cut out for us at Burton Coliseum. They play very well at home."
 
On UNO sitting 7-1 and atop the Southland standings with 10 games to play
"It's a long marathon, as we've said. After Saturday, we'll be halfway through this marathon and for a big guy like me, I'm not sure I've got a second half of a marathon in me. It's been a lot of fun. They've been a lot of fun to coach. They're hungry for instruction. They want to learn and get better. They know they're not nearly tournament ready and they want to keep improving. We're excited to get back in the practice gym tomorrow morning, get some work in and get prepared for a very good Stephen F. Austin team. I like where the team is at. They continue to play unselfishly. They continue to pass up good shots for great shots. We just have to clean up a few more things offensively and defensively to help us get there."
 
On the individual performances of Erik Thomas, Travin Thibodeaux and Michael Zeno
"All three of those guys were great. Erik scored it well early and really catapulted us ahead. Thibodeaux had a solid back end of the second half, really passed the ball well and got a bunch of assists. He helped us move the ball and make open shots. Zeno has been great over the last two weeks. I can't say enough about Michael and how hard he's worked. He's really been working and studying hard to find out what his niche is and then master it. He's not only giving us great offensive reps but he's been arguably our most dynamic defender. It's 100 percent because of his work ethic and his attitude."
 
On the upcoming game at Stephen F. Austin
"They're great. They're loaded with talent and very well coached with Kyle Keller and his staff. They've got some talent. They're good and they can score. We're going to have to have a special day to come out of there with a win. Johnson Coliseum is a tough, fun place to play, but I know our guys are excited. They're anxious for the challenge and we want to keep New Orleans at the top. We want to keep working, keep our city where it's supposed to be and keep the University up at the top."
 
On the buzz that's grown around the team over the last month and a half
"There's been a great energy and buzz not only on our campus but around the city, and we're just thankful again that everyone is behind us. This is a group effort. This isn't just our student-athletes that are doing this. It's a group effort by our students, our administration, our alumni and our city. We're very humbled and blessed to have so much support."