WATCH: UCLA players look to string together quality performances
A UCLA men’s basketball team that looked dead in the water on paper, still without its top perimeter defender and coming off a poor performance, has a renewed sense of hope after upsetting fourth-ranked Purdue earlier this week.
In addition to the team’s collective ability to defend around the rim, the Bruins also got much-needed strong performances from point guard Donovan Dent and center Xavier Booker in the 69-67 victory. Booker, in particular, simply played well enough to log extensive minutes.
Booker had nine points, four rebounds and three blocked shots in 35 minutes. It was a complete 180 after starting but playing just two minutes three days prior in an 86-74 loss at Ohio State, which marked the team’s second-most points allowed in a game this season.
A positive mindset, as simple as it may sound, was the key to his turnaround, Booker said before Friday’s practice.
“I always just try to stay positive no matter what’s going on,” Booker said, “and I always just try to look in the mirror and see the things I could do better for myself. But, yeah, I just woke up that day with a positive mindset, just focused on the things that I need to do to help my team win the game and that’s what I did.
“I know the team, they need me and I’m aware of that, and I feel like it was just bound to happen. So, like I said, just staying positive and just staying ready, that’s the main thing. You can’t ever, you can’t check yourself out of it — it’s a long season — so you just gotta always stay ready.”
In the victory, UCLA also outscored Purdue 30-28 in the paint. It was the first time in four games the Bruins have outscored the opposition in the paint
A big part of the season was UCLA’s rim protection, which has been an area of concern and anguish all season for head coach Mick Cronin.
Forward Tyler Bilodeau said Friday that it’s up to the players to “keep building, keep working on” all facets around the rim, including rebounding. The Bruins have won the battle on the board just twice in the last six games since resuming Big Ten play.
Bilodeau has grabbed 21 rebounds over the last three games since recording none in more than 20 minutes in a Jan. 10 home win over Maryland.
“Worked a lot on just being physical,” Bilodeau said, “whether it’s for the paint, defensively, rebounding — any of that — just trying to keep improvement in that area.”
UCLA players speak with media before practice (1/23)
Watch the full press conferences with both Bilodeau and Booker below:
