Leon Gilmore III talks Nicholls win, growth as a player

On his five assists and zero turnovers in the win versus Nicholls...

"Really, it's practice. You know they've been on us hard about not turning the ball over and punishing us every time we do turn the ball over in practice. So I just made a vow to myself to be better taking care of the ball and making smarter decisions when I'm in the game. Because usually I'm off balance when I make certain passes and all my turnovers are self inflicted. So I just worked on keeping a pace that I can work with, staying on two feet and making the right passes to my teammates."

On growth as a shooter...

"It's the same thing. Just off the court working on my game and staying confident. I always knew I could shoot the ball but just remaining confident and still working off the court. Me and Coach [Jeremy] Cox usually get in here and we've been working on my shot and since he's worked with me my shot has gotten way better."

On role in JUCO and difference now...

"In junior college I was probably the same. I was always active, always the energy. I feel like I was still unselfish. It was probably the same, I just probably attacked more. I didn't have probably as consistent a jump shot in junior college but I did shoot the ball at a decent level."

On growth as a defender...

"I've just been getting better through time to be honest. I remember starting off in high school my defense wasn't really that [good] and I always just wanted to be a great defender because I never wanted whoever I was guarding to score on me. So I just take pride in that a lot, being a strong defender, so its just something that I'm going to continue to work at. I like to have that before I have the offensive game.

On being called a "big guard," versus forward or post...

"Big guard is fine. I can play multiple positions on the floor so it doesn't even matter. I embrace [the post role]. I feel good knowing that I can go down and play the post, that I can play on the wing, I can bring the ball up. So I mean, I'm a mismatch problem down there anyways so I love playing the post."