FAYETTEVILLE - Maybe Arkansas guard Patrick Beverley is playing the wrong position.

Of late, the 6-foot-1 sophomore has become a monster on the boards while continuing to be a consistent scoring threat.

In four of his last five games, Beverley has reached double figures in rebounds.

That trend continued Wednesday night against Mississippi State in front of 17,927 fans in Bud Walton Arena.

Beverley had his second-straight double-double as the Razorbacks upset the Bulldogs 78-58.

So, what's the deal?

"I don't know," said Beverley, who finished with 19 points and team-high 10 rebounds. "You know, when you're out there it doesn't seem like you have that many. Like I always say, you have to give credit to all our big fellas."

Razorbacks center Steven Hill had his theory.

"Pat, you know, he's just got a lot of heart," Hill said. "I think coach (John) Pelphrey said it best when he said, he gets a lot of rebounds when he goes to the boards.

"He continues to want to be a big man and get in there and steal our boards."

In Arkansas' 68-52 win against LSU on the road last Saturday, Beverley had 14 points and a career-high 15 rebounds.

Beverley, who had 14 first-half points, had 5 rebounds in each half and never once showed fear of going into the interior for rebounds.

"Man, that surprises me every game," Razorbacks swingman Sonny Weems said. "I guess he likes to go in there and rebound. You know, he got his jaw broke, so I think he thinks he's tough a little bit."

Beverley, who tried deflect most the praise, realized how important Wednesday's victory was for the team.

"It meant a lot," Beverley said. "We're only one game out of first place now. Mississippi State has some great players and a good coach.

"You know we can't say enough about our fans. It means a whole lot. We know we have another test Saturday at home against the Florida Gators. They are a good young team with a great coach.

"We just have to go out there with the same intensity as we did today."