It seems no one has told Xavier Booker his role is just to focus on defense and rebounding—especially not after his performance last night.
In a game where defense seemed almost optional, the UCLA center shined offensively.
Select your highlights: he delivered a stunning two-handed dunk right off an inbound pass, another dunk following a slick drive and dish, and a beautiful setup for Eric Daley Jr., who finished with a thunderous one-handed dunk.
Booker had a stellar outing during the Bruins’ 98-66 victory over Rutgers at Pauley Pavilion, hitting 10 of 11 shots—only missing a layup—while additionally sinking all four of his 3-point attempts. He wrapped up the game with a career-high 24 points, five rebounds, and three assists.
“It’s great to see Xavier Booker smile,” UCLA coach Mick Cronin remarked, referring to the ups and downs Booker, a transfer from Michigan State, has faced this season. There’s a noticeable improvement in his play.
This performance came just when UCLA (16-7 overall, 8-4 Big Ten) needed it most, following a tough double-overtime loss to Indiana just days prior.
“I definitely haven’t had a game this good in a while,” Booker reflected, recalling his previous high of 18 points against Oakland last season. “For me, it’s all about maintaining confidence in my game and trusting the work I put in outside of practice. Being around great players really boosts my belief in myself.”
Booker’s proficiency from beyond the arc this season (currently shooting 48.5 percent from 3-point range) caught Cronin’s attention. He made it a point during practice for players to look for the 6-foot-11 center when he was open from deep.
“You don’t need to be a math whiz to get that an open 3 is better than a contested two,” Cronin added.
What does that mean?
This win was crucial for the Bruins as they vie for a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Most projections have UCLA sitting as a 10th or 11th seed, teetering right on the bubble. A loss to Rutgers—a team on a six-game skid and without a single road win in the Big Ten—would have likely ended their tournament hopes.
Turning point
After letting Rutgers shoot 53.3% in the first half, UCLA turned up their defensive intensity.
The Bruins launched a 12-3 run, stifling Rutgers and establishing a 64-43 lead that quashed any doubts about the game’s outcome. Cayden Powers also had an impressive first half with 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting but failed to score in the second half, going 0-for-3.
MVP: Donovan Dent
Though Booker led in points, Dent’s overall game was exceptional, scoring a double-double.
His 13 points and 11 assists stood out, especially with just one turnover, showing his improved decision-making.
“He’s hoping to carve out a professional career,” Cronin said. “Donny had to come in and do three things: help us win, and how we win comes down to taking care of the ball and upping our defensive effort compared to New Mexico. It’s a tougher task.”
To the next
The Bruins now have a rare week off after their three-game homestand wraps up against Washington on Saturday. Following that, they face a challenging road trip with games against No. 2 Michigan and No. 10 Michigan State.
