8 to Watch: Patrick Beverley

Beverley believes he comes into the NCAA tournament not playing as well as he did most of the season.

“I think I played well early in the year,” said Beverley, who was named the SEC Freshman of the Year. “Toward the end, when my team really needed me, I haven’t really been showing up. Now’s another chance for me to show my skills and prove wrong some of those doubters out there.”

Razorbacks coach Stan Heath said Beverley is being overly critical.

“I know he’s being hard on himself,” Heath said. “I’m not being hard on him at all. I don’t have any doubt in my mind Patrick Beverley is going to bounce back and be a good basketball player out there on the floor when we take the court (tonight).

“Patrick is a kid that wants to do well. He’s very competitive. He’s very fiery. For the people who have never seen him before, you’ll be in for a treat.”

By Greg Lee, Staff writer