Hogs' Denijay Harris on UT-Tyler Exhibition
Arkansas Razorbacks transfer Denijay Harris looking at first exhibition game Friday night against UT-Tyler at Bud Walton Arena.
Transcript
00:00 >> So your teammate there just called you a dog.
00:02 I'm just curious what you think about that mentality?
00:06 And has that been something that you always kind of prided yourself on?
00:09 >> Yeah, that's pretty much been my mindset.
00:12 No, with the start of me was just playing basketball.
00:15 I like to push the game or just playing, giving it all that I got.
00:20 That's pretty much been my mindset my whole career.
00:23 And it pretty much just a habit now.
00:24 [BLANK_AUDIO]
00:26 >> And could you just tell us maybe describe a little bit more about your game
00:30 and where you feel like you can help the team this year?
00:33 >> Pretty much my game is just getting my teammates better,
00:36 doing the little things for just rebounding, defending.
00:40 Just making open shots, just letting the game come to me.
00:44 It's part of making the team better as a whole.
00:47 [BLANK_AUDIO]
00:51 >> Bob?
00:54 >> Hey, Denaji, thanks for being on.
00:56 When did you first get here?
00:59 Was it like in July or summer, June?
01:01 When did you get on campus?
01:03 >> I got here in June, late June.
01:05 >> Okay, so you've been here, that's kind of my fingers,
01:09 I guess about six months.
01:10 Just what's it been like for you?
01:13 >> Man, I've been enjoying the whole experience.
01:15 Converting over from Southern Miss to here, I'm really enjoying the experience.
01:21 And just getting a feel for practice.
01:23 Like I said, being a couple months, I'm able to actually get a feel,
01:26 the tempo, the pace, just the whole thing as a whole.
01:30 >> I know some players, Eric Muslin, he's a bit intense at practice.
01:35 That's probably putting him mildly.
01:36 For some guys, it's a big adjustment.
01:38 How do you feel like you've adjusted to that, just the demands of practice and
01:42 the pace and what the coaching staff expects from y'all?
01:46 >> I mean, anytime you are making a change from one place to another,
01:49 it's an adjustment process itself.
01:51 And just coming here, I had to get used to, as far as the pace and
01:56 just how everything just work as a whole.
01:58 And everything, it pretty much is quicker, it's more fast paced, but
02:03 I've been adjusting well.
02:04 >> When you got in the portal, who else did you consider and why Arkansas?
02:10 I think I know, but I don't wanna speak for you.
02:12 >> Yeah, other teams as far as like North Texas, New Mexico State.
02:18 But I really found my interest in Arkansas, it was a bigger stage.
02:24 I had a conversation with the coaches and I really gel with the coaching staff.
02:30 And I just felt like it was the place for me.
02:32 And I'm really enjoying the experience.
02:35 >> Yeah, not to knock Southern Miss or anybody, but
02:39 there aren't many programs that have better facilities than Arkansas,
02:42 as good of facilities.
02:43 Just what's it been like going from Southern Miss to the STC school like this
02:48 and all the facilities you guys have and the dining hall and
02:52 the practice facility, all those things?
02:55 >> Man, like I said, anytime you make an adjustment,
02:58 it's pretty much different.
03:00 It's more resources, like bigger stage, but I guess I'm enjoying it.
03:04 >> As far as the red white game goes, I mean, you played in a red white game and
03:10 that was obviously a little different than practice.
03:11 You had a crowd and everything, but now you're playing another team.
03:14 I think there'll be a pretty good crowd Friday night cuz there's a lot of
03:16 interest in the team.
03:17 You guys are ranked and all that.
03:18 What are you anticipating from the exhibition game, especially for
03:22 a new guy like you that wants to make a good impression on the coaches to earn
03:25 minutes, kinda how do you approach a game like this?
03:28 >> I'm approaching the game as if it was just the first game.
03:33 Even though it's an exhibition, it's still a real game in my eyes and
03:36 the team and the coach staff as well.
03:38 And just let the game come to me.
03:40 I'm gonna rebound, defend, play hard, everything, and take care of yourself.
03:45 >> Eric told us after the red white game, you guys have not been in Walton Arena.
03:49 You need to be in the practice facility area, obviously in Barnhill.
03:52 Have you guys spent time over in Walton Arena yet?
03:55 >> Yes, we're here as we speak right now.
03:57 >> Okay, okay, well that's good.
03:59 And like I say, I know you're not playing Kentucky or Duke or whoever, but
04:04 how big a deal is it for you to get out there in Walton Arena on the court,
04:07 have a live crowd, and the lights are on, so to speak?
04:10 How's that gonna be for you, do you think?
04:12 >> I mean, it's gonna be the same.
04:15 We've been grinding all summer,
04:16 competing against each other, going hard every day.
04:19 No, every day over the week.
04:21 And it's just gonna feel good to be able to play somebody else.
04:24 You'll enjoy competing against your teammates, but
04:27 it's a new opponent, and we're getting prepared and we're ready.