Xavier Booker reacts to lack of second-half playing time vs. OSU

Xavier Booker started the game and each half, but he didn’t play in the final 15 minutes of the second half. He was surprised, too.

Michigan State just suffered its second straight loss at home, this time to Ohio State 60-57. There weren’t a lot of bright spots in this game, however, Xavier Booker once again shined when he was on the court.

Booker finished with seven points, three rebounds, and three blocks, as well as the best plus/minus on the team at +11. The Spartans were up 10 with him in the game, until he was subbed out early in the second half only to never return. This may have been the crucial mistake that cost MSU this game.

Booker was asked after the game for his thoughts about not playing much in the second half, and the answer he gave might surprise you.

Booker discusses lack of second half playing time

It would not be surprising to have seen Booker upset with his diminished second half minutes. He very well could’ve been, but he didn’t show that in the locker room after the game. Here is what Xavier said when asked about his decrease in playing time in the second half.

“It was a little rough. But, I trust my guys and I trust we could have got the job done. Obviously, it didn’t happen, but I have faith in my guys and whatever coach wants us to do. Whatever lineup he wants to put in, I have faith in. I have faith in coach, his lineup, I have faith in him and what he is doing.”

You couldn’t ask for a better response

This is the perfect answer in my opinion. Yes Booker’s upset they lost the game, but how couldn’t he be considering they had every chance to win? But Xavier didn’t let his frustration boil over and he didn’t blame anyone for the loss.

Booker used the words trust and faith multiple times in this quote. There have been a lot of questions in the MSU fanbase if Booker may want to transfer after this season. But the fact that he still has a lot of trust and faith in the team and coaching staff tells me that he may not be thinking about transferring at all.

Regardless of that, it’s time for Xavier to start being the lead guy for MSU down low for two reasons. First is that his play has been noticeably better than the other post players. Also is the fact that the Spartans collapse against Ohio State came at the exact moment he stopped playing.

Regardless of if he plays more or not, Booker has the perfect mindset. That hopefully will go a long ways and help him progress even more the rest of this season and in the offseason going into next year.