Includes his thoughts on the weekend visit, the players he was around, the current depth for the Bruins at the guards and center positions and deeper look at his production over the last two years that would make him an upgrade if he ends up in Westwood:

Just getting underway

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The Bruins have added a transfer commitment from Michigan State big man Xavier Booker this afternoon. The 6-foot-11, 240-pound sophomore from Indianapolis played in 33 games and made three starts in the 2024-25 season. He just entered the portal on Tuesday and helps fill a major need in the front court for the Bruins following the departure of Aday Mara.

He averaged 4.7 points and 2.2 rebounds this season for Tom Izzo's Spartans.

Booker is a former five-star recruit who was once rated the No. 16 prospect in the 2023 class. He played in 27 games and made two starts as a freshman in the 2023-24 season. Booker will have two seasons of remaining eligibility at UCLA.

We upgraded at PG by every metric.

Clark, Dailey, and Bilo should be slightly better than this season.

Our guards off the bench are an upgrade hopefully with Perry needing to be better than himself.

At the 3, Kobe wasn’t as good as advertised but did a lot for us. I hope Dailey can play there or that we have one more big transfer in the works.

The 5 is where we’re worse. Bilo isn’t a 5 and the transfers are a step down from Mara and Kyle.

I think we will be slightly better but not a tournament threat unless we add one more high impact player, either at the 5 or 3.

Interest idea. The NCAA needs to do something about escalating NIL deals. Your thoughts?

Does UCLA have any interest?

Been gathering a handful of reactions throughout the week to see how visitors thought:

Today will be my first detailed rundown of practice developments and newcomers who catch my eye.

Will have running updates and then a full breakdown + the interviews afterward. Word is we could be hearing from OC Tino Sunseri for the first time, in addition to Foster after practice.

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I take nothing away from UConn….they are a superior team but it’s so disappointing to lose the way we did. UCLA was never in the game and the rout shows how fare UCLA is to teams like UConn.

That said, I’m very proud of our team and the women played well all season

Did he visit UCLA? He’s a potential VIP for UCLA’s defense and would help fill the void that Schwesinger left

Catching up on other transfer news while I was out freelancing, UCLA also got a commitment from former San Diego center Steven Jamerson II.

He averaged 10.0 points on 55.7% shooting to go with 7.8 rebounds per game as a senior this past season.

Revealed his decision a few minutes ago. Story to come.

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Expected to get more viewing time this morning. Also expected to talk to DC Ikaika Malloe again after practice.

28 points.

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Sam Spiegelman has an update on four-star receiver Kaydon Finley as he heads out on the road this week to see UCLA ahead of an official visit with the Bruins in May.

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UCLA continues to maintain a spot among the top contenders for 2027 Chatsworth (Calif.) Sierra Canyon four-star safety Myles Baker.

This past weekend, we discussed his relationship with coaches Gabe Lynn and Demetrice Martin, and more.

Both the Los Angeles Times and Bruin Report, which first broke the news, are reporting that UCLA center Aday Mara will not be back next season

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UCLA and USC are setting the pace, with others out of state also in the picture.

What actually happened?

I have read from “news” or “insider” sources that Mara came back from Spain and had a bunch of demands that he previously had not. I have read that he actually wasn’t expecting them, but wanted to see how Cronin reacted. From there the reports diverge. Everything from Mick told him to leave to Mick leaked the demands Mara asked him to keep confidential and the Mara family said that was their litmus test of Mick’s trustworthiness.

I guess multiple things can be true.

One thing is true is that we need a better AD.

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hire an interim HC, Frank Reich, to lead the team. Why not simply name him the HC and only for a year?

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Demare Dezeurn, a 2027 four-star slot receiver at Mission Hills (Calif.) Bishop Alemany who is ranked 103rd overall nationally in the class, landed an offer Tuesday on his visit to the Bruins’ first practice of spring camp.

He visited for games last season against Indiana in September and the finale against Fresno State.

Here’s what he told me moments ago after announcing his offer:

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The Mountain West player of the year is headed to Westwood. Story to come.