1-on-1 with Razorback Guard Patrick Beverley

In a one-on-one interview, Arkansas shooting guard Patrick Beverley talks about some of the struggles he and his team have gone through this season. The Chicago native won the SEC's Freshman of the Year award in 2007, but has seen his scoring output dip in his sophomore campaign. Beverley's Razorbacks hit the final four game stretch of the regular season at 18-8 overall, with a 7-5 mark in the SEC---a legitimate question mark for an NCAA bid.
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Josh Bertaccini: Another tough loss for you guys against Kentucky on Saturday. What has been the problem for your team late in some of these tight games?

Patrick Beverley: It sounds like the same thing I've been saying, but we've just got to make more plays, more shots, and pick each other up more as a team. If we can find a way to raise our energy level, especially on defense, then I think we'll be fine.

JB: Closing out tight games---particularly on the road---has been a problem for this team all year long. What makes you think it's suddenly going to turn around with four games left in the season?

P-Bev: I wouldn't say we've had trouble winning games, it's just a different story playing away from home. And we've got to be tougher and better in those key moments, bottom line. The way I see it, we've used up all of our get outta jail free cards, so now we just have to win every time out.

JB: Is there a sense right now that the season is slipping away?

P-Bev: No, not really. When you look at the SEC Tournament and the NCAAs, there's still a lot of basketball left to be played. I honestly don't think we've shown how good we can be as a group yet. I mean, we have, but just for a stretch here and a half there, or one game we've got it rolling, and the next we don't. But it's almost March, and every one of us on this basketball team has to step up.

JB: Sonny Weems has emerged as the go-to offensive player for your team this year. He's averaging over 15 points per game and almost twenty per game in conference play. And yet, a lot of the time, there's been a feeling like he's a one-man band on offense. Which is to say, when he's not scoring, nobody is. As the leading scorer on last year's team, how do you react to that?

P-Bev: Sonny's a great player, we all know that, and now he's showing people why. When he's rolling, we've got to ride his hot hand, no question. But you're right, the rest of us need to make sure we're chipping in with our share as well. I don't care how good one guy is, nobody can win games by himself.

JB: Against Kentucky, you struggled from the floor (1 for 8) and finished with just four points. Sonny scored 22 of his 26 points in the second half, but nobody else finished in double figures. At a certain point, as one of the main offensive weapons on this team, don't you feel a need to step up your production and help handle the load?

P-Bev: Of course, most definitely. But if I'm not open---if the defense is overplaying and not giving me a good look---I'm not going to shoot it. Point blank. There's no sense in me throwing up bad shots just to do it. If it's not in the flow of the offense, if it's not a good look, I'm not going to take it.

JB: Has it been hard adjusting to John Pelphrey's offense this year?

P-Bev: There's an adjustment period with anything new, but I think we're way past that now. Last year, I had a lot more freedom to create my own shot, but that didn't mean our system was good for everybody. I feel like Coach Pelphrey has done a good job of getting us all to understand what he wants us to do and why it's better for everyone in the long run. We play more as a team on offense now and I think that's a good thing.

JB: Your rebounding numbers (seven per game) are way up this year, but your scoring (twelve per game) is down from a year ago. How do you explain that?

P-Bev: Pretty strange, ain't it? I mean, I've never looked at myself as just a one-dimensional player. Basketball isn't just about scoring and how high your number is. It's not like, "Oh, well I got my twenty points, so I can just forget about everything else." That's some selfish trip, and that's not how I play. I've always taken pride in my defense first, no question. But as far as the change in my numbers or whatever, there's a lot of stuff that goes into it, I guess. Last year---I don't want to say I snuck up on people, but---I really don't feel like most of the teams we played knew what I could do offensively yet. They didn't know the best way to go about slowing me down. So I was able to score more and get easier looks. This year is totally different. Teams are coming at me with their best defensive player every game out. Double-teams, traps, I mean whatever they want to throw at me, they're doing it now. All I can do is trust that my teammates are going to take advantage of the attention that sometimes gets put on me.

JB: Talk a bit more about your work on the glass, Patrick. How does a 6'1 guard lead his team in rebounding in the SEC?

P-Bev: I don't know, I guess it's just desire. I mean, at this level, everyone's athletic, and most everyone is big, so if you try to be just more physical than people, it's not going to work. Really, a big part of it is just determination, I really believe that. Once you've laid the groundwork for yourself physically, it's just a mental game. I mean, you've got to have an idea of where you think the rebound is going to go, but then you have to get to the spot as quick as you can and be ready for contact. A big help for me has been our entire frontcourt . . . Steven Hill, Darian Townes, Charles Thomas---those guys are all seven feet or close to, and they do a great job of boxing out. That makes it way easier for a little guy like me to get in there and grab some of those loose balls.

JB: You certainly don't play like a little guy, that's for sure. Keeping it moving . . . The NBA is in the minds of most Division I basketball players. Is that the big goal for you? Let me rephrase that. Where do you see yourself in five years?

P-Bev: Wow. Five years? I guess---well, first and foremost, I plan on having my degree, so that's a goal of mine. As for the NBA, I'd be lying if I told you I didn't think about it, I mean, every basketball player has that dream at some point. But I guess it's like, "Let me enjoy college first and worry about the other things later." If I do what I have to do while I'm here, keep getting better as an individual, and we keep on improving as a team, all that professional stuff should take care of itself.

JB: There has been a lot of emotional baggage surrounding the Razorbacks' basketball program during the past year, from the run your team made to last season's SEC Tournament Final to the firing of Stan Heath, the whole Dana Altman debacle, the hiring of John Pelphrey, and all the off-the-court stuff. I don't want to get into specifics about your personal life, Patrick, but give me a thought or two on what it's been like dealing with all that.

P-Bev: With me, when something is over and done with, that's where it stays. I liked Coach Heath a lot, I mean he was like a father figure for me, not to mention he recruited me to come play here, so it was difficult seeing him go at first. But that stuff is in the past now. Coach Pelphrey is a great guy and I really do love playing for him. Since day one we've just had a sort of chemistry together, as much as a coach and player can have. Last year, after the season, it was strange watching everything that happened, no doubt, but it's in the past now and that's all I can say about it. I really believe in whatever doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. All the stuff people say or write about me or whatever, it doesn't bother me. It really doesn't. And I feel like I'm a stronger person for having gone through all that.

JB: Your perspective on life is a lot different now than it was at the same time last year.

P-Bev: Most definitely. I'm more mature now [laughs], at least I feel like I am. But like I said, a lot of things have changed, for me and for this team. I mean, I'm a father now, and that's something I didn't have to deal with last year. But personal stuff is personal, and I'd like to keep it that way. So you just, you know, carry yourself the best you can and hope that everything works out the way it's supposed to.

JB: Despite the ups and down for this team, the crowds at Bud Walton Arena have been large and enthusiastic all season long. More so than last year. How much do you enjoy playing in front of 20,000 Razorback fans?

P-Bev: Oh, man, it's a dream come true. Who wouldn't want that many people cheering for you? Bud Walton is an awesome place to play basketball. The fans are great, they're just so into it at every game. I'm just glad I get to play here for two more years. I can't imagine playing college basketball anywhere else.

JB: All right, Patrick. Thanks again for your time. Any final thoughts as March Madness approaches?

P-Bev: I'll just keep saying what I've said all year long: the sky's the limit for this basketball team. When we play together, when we're on the same page, we can beat anybody in the country. Period. No doubt in my mind. Now it's just up to us to take what we've learned, what we've been doing every day in practice, and win these games we have left. That's the only way I can think of to prove everyone doubting us wrong.

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-JAB