For many newcomers to the University of Kentucky, playing their first game at Rupp Arena is a major milestone. With the mythical reputation of the building and the 24,000 fans that pack it for 20 or so games each season, it’s hard to know quite what playing in one of the nation’s most famed venues will be like.Twany Beckham won’t have that problem.He may not have yet suited up in blue and white for a game in Rupp, but the 6-foot-5 point guard is plenty familiar with it. In two Sweet 16 appearances with Ballard High School (Louisville, Ky.), Beckham played six games in Rupp and was named to the All-Sweet 16 team as a senior, when Ballard lost in the 2007 state championship game to Scott County. “That was incredible,” Beckham said. “It was probably one of my best experiences in basketball playing in that game. I wasn’t happy the way it finished, coming out on the bottom, but it still was a great game and something that I’ll always look back on and remember.”After spending a year in prep school, Beckham went on to play for Rick Stansbury at Mississippi State. While most new Wildcats come to UK fresh out of high school, Beckham has experienced what life is like in the SEC, playing 47 games during a two-and-a-half year career at Mississippi State. One of those games was during his freshman season when the Bulldogs traveled to Lexington, Ky., to face the Cats.Beckham played five minutes, scoring two points. Beckham doesn’t forget what it was like to play in Rupp, but he looks forward to seeing how different it feels when the Big Blue faithful cheer for him instead of against him.”I thought it was crazy,” Beckham said. “When they do the national anthem and you see everybody standing up, you get chills. Now with that whole crowd being behind me, it’s going to be crazy. I can’t wait.”He doesn’t have to wait too much longer. In January 2011, Beckham decided to transfer from Mississippi State. With three semesters of eligibility remaining, he got in contact with John Calipari and the UK coaching staff. Growing up a devoted Kentucky fan, Beckham had always dreamed of being a Wildcat.”I got in contact with the coaches and came here and met with Coach Cal,” Beckham said. “He told me ‘I’ve got a spot for you if you come here and work hard.’ It was an opportunity I was willing to take. Growing up in Louisville and always liking UK, it was a dream of mine to come here and play.”His desire to come to UK goes much deeper than simply fulfilling a childhood dream. If he didn’t believe he had a chance to contribute, he wouldn’t be here. Even with a roster featuring projected NBA draft picks, Calipari makes promises to no one about playing time. Beckham, a player who is looking for nothing more than an opportunity, appreciates that approach. “Even in the meeting we had earlier this year, he told the whole team he doesn’t care about your status or where you came from,” Beckham said. “He’s going to play the best players on the floor and the people who work hardest. That meant a lot to me because I feel like I work hard and I feel like I have the ability to be on the floor with these guys.”After arriving in January, Beckham first went toe-to-toe with first round draft pick Brandon Knight in practice. His latest challenge has been staying in front of five-star prospects Marquis Teague and Ryan Harrow at the point guard position.”You’re not going to get two of the quickest guards in the country in the same gym every day,” Beckham said. “I take advantage of playing against those guys any chance I get. Even though those guys are quick than me, they’re making me better.”Improvement has been the name of the game since Beckham stepped on campus. Assistant coach Kenny Payne has taken him under his wing, an arrangement that was part of Beckham’s original decision to come to UK.”Coach Payne stays on me all the time and he doesn’t let me take any days off or relax,” Beckham said. “I look at him like a father now because that’s kind of the agreement we made when I came here: I listen to him, he’ll help me and we’ll see where my future goes. I bought into it and I thank him for that.”Beckham reports that he has improved significantly in multiple areas, ranging from toughness to shooting to, most importantly, defense.”Defense wasn’t one of my things for a long time, but playing for Coach Cal you have to play defense to get on the floor,” Beckham said. “I have the ability to be a great defender so since day one here I decided I was going to make my mark defensively and do whatever I can to get on the floor.”Beckham’s opportunity to get on the floor will come at the end of the fall semester in December when the year he was forced to sit out due to transfer rules expires. Teague is expected to start and get the lion’s share of the minutes at point guard, but there is an opportunity behind him with Ryan Harrow sitting out this season. Doron Lamb has played point guard, but his focus will be playing on the wing. In typical Calipari fashion, Beckham won’t be promised anything, but the opportunity will be there.”Twany may have an opportunity to play,” Calipari said. “When I tell you we’re looking for a backup point guard, it could be Twany, it could be Jarrod (Polson). Now they have to go early and I’m not going to give it to somebody.”