Harris earns top Aggie honor
Utah Statesman: You filled in for Spencer Nelson while he was out with a broken nose, was that pretty intimidating?
Nate Harris: No, not intimidating. Those are pretty big shoes to fill, Spencer Nelson does good things for our team. I just tried to come in and do the same things he did, and maintain the energy that he brings to the team.
US: You have an average field-goal percentage of 70 percent, how important is that to you?
NH: It’s not important to me, personally. I guess it would be, as far as I know, I’m taking good team shots and I’m making them. This offense is designed to get people good looks and so I’m just able to get good shots when I’m open.
US: The team is 15-1 overall, 7-0 in conference. At the beginning of the season, did you expect to be playing this well?
NH: I think at the beginning of the season I didn’t expect to be doing this well, but things just came along real well for us. Things have meshed together for us as a team. We just play well together.
US: How does it feel to be a big part of the team’s success?
NH: Oh, it feels good for myself to know that I’m doing my job for this team to be successful. And that’s the great thing about this team. Everybody does their own job for us to be good.
US: Was Utah State always your school of choice?
NH: Yeah, I always pretty much knew I was going to play here. I signed early in my senior year; even before basketball started I had signed to come here. It was an easy choice, a perfect fit for me and I’ve enjoyed it.
US: You scored 25 against UC Riverside and 22 against Cal State Fullerton. Did you feel pretty unstoppable underneath?
NH: Once things get rolling a little for you, your confidence gets going and you just get on a roll. Riverside wasn’t doubling the post, they were just playing straight up. So, coaches stressed getting the ball inside and I think we did a good job of that.
US: Who was your favorite athlete growing up?
NH: Well, I grew up watching the Jazz, so I really liked John Stockton and Karl Malone.
US: Are there any other sports that you enjoy playing?
NH: Football. I played quarterback in high school and had a lot of fun. I just like the X’s and O’s of football.
US: Who do you think is going to win the Super Bowl?
NH: The Patriots. I’ve been going against them all season, and they just kept winning so I’ve got to pick the Patriots.
US: What first got you into playing basketball?
NH: [When I was] younger, growing up and playing at recess, I was just taller. [It was] easier to make baskets over the smaller kids. I enjoyed it so I kept going.
US: Do you have any superstitious things that you do before your games?
NH: Nothing too much, one thing I do sometimes is get a Swedish Fish candy. At least one, I always eat Swedish Fish, they’re my favorite thing to eat. So, I try to get one before each game.
-kcaustin@cc.usu.edu