UCLA basketball beats Rutgers 98-66 in Big Ten…
Shhh! Nobody inform Xavier Booker he was introduced right here for protection and rebounding.
At least not on a evening like this.
UCLA’s big man was an offensive dynamo Tuesday during a sport in which protection was only a suggestion.
Rutgers guard Darren Buchanan Jr. will get his shot blocked by UCLA’s Xavier Booker. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Take your choose of highlights. There was a two-handed dunk off an inbounds go. Another dunk off a drive-and-dish. A wonderful go to a cutting Eric Dailey Jr. for a ferocious one-handed dunk.
Booker was almost flawless offensively during the Bruins’ 98-66 victory over Rutgers at Pauley Pavilion. He made 10 of 11 pictures — lacking only a layup — and all 4 3-pointers on the best way to a career-high 24 factors along with 5 rebounds and three assists.
“Great to see Xavier Booker smile,” UCLA coach Mick Cronin said, alluding to what’s been a attempting season at occasions for the Michigan State switch who seems to be firmly on the upswing.
It was just what UCLA (16-7 total, 8-4 Big Ten) needed to get over its draining double-overtime home loss to Indiana from three days earlier.
“Definitely haven’t had a game this good in awhile,” said Booker, whose earlier profession high was 18 factors against Oakland last season. “I mean, the main thing for me is just staying confident in everything I do and just trusting the work I put in outside of practice. Just trusting that, and then just being around a great group of guys that are encouraging.”
Booker’s success from long vary this season – he’s now making 48.5% of his 3s – not too long ago prompted Cronin to stop apply and instruct his gamers to get the 6-foot-11 middle the ball when he’s open from past the arc.
“You don’t have to be a math major to figure out,” Cronin said, “an open 3 from Book is better than a contested two from anybody else.”
Xavier Booker shoots a three-point basket over Rutgers middle Emmanuel Ogbole. IMAGN IMAGES via GWN Connect
What does it imply?
The Bruins acquired a win they completely had to have given their NCAA match standing.
Most projections listed UCLA as a No. 10 or No. 11 seed getting into Tuesday, inserting them firmly on the bubble. A home loss to Rutgers, which has now misplaced six consecutive video games and failed to notch a street win in Big Ten play, would have successfully burst that bubble.
Turning level
After permitting Rutgers to shoot 53.3% in the first half, UCLA determined to start taking part in protection.
The Bruins frequently acquired stops while going on a 12-3 run to open a 64-43 cushion and take away any lingering doubt about the end result. They also held guard Kaden Powers scoreless in the second half on 0-for-3 taking pictures after he had scorched them for 18 factors on seven-for-eight taking pictures in the first half.
UCLA guard Donovan Dent drives to the basket against Rutgers. IMAGN IMAGES via GWN Connect
MVP: Donovan Dent
While Booker led his crew in scoring, Dent had the best all-around sport with a double-double.
His 13 factors and 11 assists have been all the more spectacular contemplating he had just one turnover, persevering with a latest stretch in which he’s restricted errors.
“He wants to have any chance at a pro career,” Cronin said, “Donny had to come here and do three things: one is make us win [and] two and three are how to make us win – take care of the ball and play harder on defense than he did at New Mexico. Much harder.”
Up next
The Bruins end their three-game homestand against Washington on Saturday before getting a uncommon weeklong break. Then they’ll hit the street for their hardest journey of the season for video games against No. 2 Michigan and No. 10 Michigan State.
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