Xavier Booker has injected life into the Bruins bench that was struggling for points production

Xavier Booker has been the spark plug that UCLA has needed off of the bench. The Bruins have struggled for most of the season with any consistency, getting bench points. As there have been many games this season where the bench has provided no points. Mostly every game that has been close they have provided single digit points. Putting a large amount of the burden on the starting lineup to carry the load. Which has seen the starters play most nights 37+ minutes, because they have too.

Jamar Brown was brought in through the transfer portal to be a guy that could score the basketball. But he has changed his game to be a hard-working, defensive rebounding guy. The Bruins were forced to put Trent Perry into the starting lineup when Skyy Clark went down with an injury. That was a huge blow to the UCLA bench but was much needed to fill the hole. Perry broke out as a starter and needed to stay in that role when Clark returned.

The Bruins are not 19-9 without that move as Perry alone won them a few games with his offense. Now with him moving to the starting lineup and creating that gap on the bench in scoring. UCLA has been looking for someone that can come in and score some buckets. Booker over the last two games might be the answer. At times he seems overwhelmed starting. But the bench has been a huge positive for him and his game.

He has scored 16 points and 11 points in games against Illinois and USC. His 16 points against Illinois was huge in the Bruins upset win. It also allows the Bruins to get their starters some rest when needed. Helping guys like Donovan Dent breakout for his best game of the season with 30 points against USC. Because players are fresh and can get longer than 45 second breaks. Leaving them with more energy as the game gets into crunch time.