Finding Roles Something Every Hogs Newcomer Has to Discover

Kamani Johnson on Jordan Walsh figuring out what to do to get time on court

Arkansas Razorbacks Jordan Walsh (13) and forward Kamani Johnson (20) reacts after a foul call during the second half against the Missouri Tigers at Mizzou Arena. (Jay Biggerstaff / USA TODAY Sports)

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — It took a few months, but Jordan Walsh finally figured out his role with Arkansas.

"It can be difficult when you come here and things don't go your way," senior forward Kamani Johnson said Monday at a press conference. "When you're a freshman, you have to get used to things."

There are times it may be harder for fans to grasp that concept than the freshmen themselves. Being a high school McDonald's All-American and one of several on the team, a lot of folks expected some high rolling.

That probably isn't going to happen often, especially with Razorbacks coach Eric Musselman.

"You learn here quick that everybody can’t score," Johnson said. "You kind of have to find your role and be a star in your role. That’s how you’re going to get on the floor and get minutes for Muss."

That includes Walsh, who had that deer-in-the-headlights looks at times early in the season, then again in SEC play. He figured it out.

"Jordan just adapted really, really well," Johnson said. "He kind of got down a little bit, but I like the way that he bounced back and kind of just bought in. Right now Jordan Walsh is just super bought-in to what Muss is saying, the staff is saying and how we do things here.

"That’s why he’s having the success he’s having."

Walsh came in with an open mind and he's figured out where he fit in along with the coaching staff point him in the right direction along the way.

"My role has fallen kind of into being that glue guy," Walsh said about playing defense. "I have the easy job, just picking up the gap that’s left and that’s kind of what I’ve done."

Considering now they've won two games in the NCAA Tournament and have a chance to get the Hogs to the Elite Eight for a program-first third straight time.

"I’ve been successful at it so far, so I’m going to keep doing whatever it takes to win," Walsh said. "That’s it. That’s what I do."

The Hogs spent Tuesday going to Las Vegas for Thursday evening's game against fourth-seeded UConn.

Wednesday will be spent with press conferences and practice shoot-around plus putting any finishing touches on the game-planning Musselman and the staff have been doing.

HOGS FEED:

NATIONAL PERSONALITY HELPING RAZORBACK SOCIAL MEDIA STAR TO LAST VEGAS FOR SWEET 16

RAZORBACKS ADVANCE TO SUPER 16 WITH BIG WIN OVER STEPHEN F. AUSTIN ON MONDAY NIGHT

STATE OF ARKANSAS CRIED ALONG WITH DEVO DAVIS AFTER WIN OVER KANSAS

SANOGO ISN'T BIGGEST THREAT HOGS FACE IN SWEET 16 AGAINST UCONN

WATCH: HOGS' FORWARD KAMANI JOHNSON PREVIEWING THURSDAY MATCHUP WITH UCONN IN SWEET 16

WEGNER'S RECORD SETTING HOME RUN COMPLETES SWEEP OF AUBURN

YOU DIDN'T THINK IT WOULD GET EASIER FOR RAZORBACKS DID YOU?

HOGS' COACH ERIC MUSSELMAN HAS ACCOMPLISHED WHAT ONLY ONE OTHER COACH HAS DONE AT ARKANSAS

HOGS WILL NEED TO SUMMON INNER JOKER TO TAKE OUT JAYHAWKS' BATMAN AND ROBIN DUO

HUNTER HOLLAN, HAGEN SMITH COMBINE TO START SEC PLAY WITH WIN OVER AUBURN

DEFENSE REASON FOR TWO BIG MOVES BY RAZORBACKS IN WIN OVER ILLINOIS

MUSSELMAN KNOWS PAST MEANS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING FOR THIS YEAR IN NCAA TOURNAMENT

BRAZILE SAYS 'I COULD PLAY RIGHT NOW' HEADING INTO NCAA TOURNAMENT

ANTHONY BLACK GETS HIS NBA 'PROVE IT' MOMENT AGAINST ILLINI'S TERRANCE SHANNON

ARKANSAS OVERCOMES EARLY DEFICIT TO HOLD OFF SALTY UNLV ON THE DIAMOND

WATCH: RAZORBACKS COACH DAVE VAN HORN AFTER WIN OVER UNLV

WATCH: HOGS KENDALL DIGGS, AUSTIN LEDBETTER, HAROLD COLL AFTER WIN OVER UNLV

SEC GIVES HINT OF DIRECTION HEADED WITH SCHEDULING ON FORMAT FOR SEVEN DIFFERENT SPORTS

NCAA TOURNAMENT BRACKET

ARKANSAS BASEBALL SCHEDULE

FAYETTEVILLE WEATHER UPDATE

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