This was what the transition was all about.
Blocking shots. Grabbing rebounds. Having a menacing presence in the paint.
That Xavier Booker looked so comfortable doing all those things in early November could portend far greater things for the converted power forward in more important games deeper into the season.
UCLA certainly was pleased with its new center Friday night at Pauley Pavilion, Booker dominating for stretches on both ends of the court during the No. 12 Bruins’ 74-63 victory over Pepperdine.
“Obviously, it goes without saying that Xavier Booker’s MVP of the game,” Bruins coach Mick Cronin said after the big man blocked all five of his shots in the second half and finished with a team-high 15 points to go with five rebounds in a strong rebuttal to his team’s flat showing in its season opener.