New Orleans coach offers referee his glasses after a disputed call

When he disagreed with a call during the first half of his team’s 76-66 loss at Utah State on Monday night, New Orleans coach Mark Slessinger did more than just voice his displeasure.

Slessinger also generously offered his glasses to referee Michael Greenstein to help prevent any future blown calls.

John Zsiray, a photographer with the Logan Herald Journal, captured the funny moment in this picture he posted to Twitter on Monday night. Reached by text message afterward, Slessinger provided further context to Zsiray’s photo.

“I was explaining to Michael that there was no way I saw it wrong since I have 20/20 vision with my spectacles,” Slessinger quipped. “I didn’t want to get too personal and inquire about his prescription but wanted to be proactive and offer mine if he wanted a second look.

“Michael is a great official and a good guy. We had a great laugh.”

Sarcastic banter with Greenstein was one of the few highlights of a tough loss for Slessinger and his team. Koby McEwen and Jalen Moore combined for 37 points and Utah State shot 63.2 percent from the field in the second half, enabling the Aggies to pull away from New Orleans for a comfortable victory.

New Orleans (4-6) continues to make gradual progress after nearly dropping down to Division III five years ago before reversing course in March 2012. Among the Privateers’ four victories so far this season are a 15-point win over city rival Tulane and a 16-point road upset against Washington State.

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Jeff Eisenberg is the editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at daggerblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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