to be the Big Tens defensive player of the year. McConnell made his official visit to Rutgers in the spring and by the end of the weekend, he was a Scarlet Knight. He tallied 4 points on 2-of-5 shooting and added four rebounds, three assists and a block. Of course, he was ultimately named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Rutgers won a game in astounding fashion in the midst of a brutal stretch of the season that theyre turning into opportunity. Rutgers plays at Indiana on Wednesday night, another bubble team in terms of NCAA Tournament projections. The fifth-year senior guard, who earns his bachelors degree in a couple of weeks, finally got cleared after suffering a left knee injury in early October. With latest Big Ten loss, Rutgers basketball continues KenPom slide, Elijah King, a three-star edge, opens up on Rutgers football offer and his spring visit to Ohio State, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. It was his second consecutive game with 4 steals and McConnell is doing everything possible to boost his candidacy for Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year or worst case the All-Big Ten Defensive Team. I feel like little stuff like that made me a bit tougher and have some more grit.. Despite the bumps and bruises, McConnell progressed from a freshman reserve who displayed occasional glimpses of his potential to a sophomore starter. McConnell announced the decision to declare for the 2022 NBA Draft on March 28th with a post on Instagram that read as follows: These last four years were amazing! McConnell's rebounding average of 5.5 per game is just 0.2 higher than last season. To see him causing havoc in the Big Ten for the last four years, its just awesome. Hes just tough. dCc6CiAgICAgICAgbmV3IERhdGUoKS5nZXRUaW1lKCksZXZlbnQ6J2d0bS5q It was a match made in heaven, Briski said. Eventually, the outdoor courts in Jacksonville and Dayton became his home. Rutgers guard Caleb McConnell grimaces after colliding with a Minnesota player during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, March 2, 2023, in Minneapolis. However, it was Caleb McConnells block after coming out of seemingly nowhere that is ultimately the play that will be most remembered in this victory. LmpzcmRuLmNvbS9zL2NzLmpzP3A9MjI1NDYnIHR5cGU9J3RleHQvamF2YXNj He found a better balance in his schedule, spending less time wearing his body out in the gym and more time studying film of the opposing teams best player. Rutgers Basketball got some good news today as wing player intends to withdraw his name from the 2022 NBA Draft and will return to college for one last season with the Scarlet Knights. 13 Michigan State (four) and No. All I wanted to do was play basketball.. Hes going to go out and play.. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. A mistake. And yet, just like this team over the past month, McConnell fought back in the play and came through in the end. He has 2.3 assists a game. Senior Caleb McConnell was the first Rutgers player since Hamady N'Diaye to win a Defensive Player of the Year Award. Im so grateful to have been blessed with this group of teammates. Rutgers basketball makes a move down in CBS Sports projections from Jerry Palm. Latest on Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Caleb McConnell including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN. Rutgers mens basketball guard Caleb McConnell was named a semifinalist on Tuesday for the Naismith Mens Defensive Player of the Year. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. bS9uZXdzL2NhbGViLW1jY29ubmVsbC1yZXR1cm5pbmctdG8tcnV0Z2Vycy1m College players have until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday to withdraw from the 2022 NBA Draft and retain their college eligibility. Led by a dynamic backcourt, Miami owns a 10-point win over Providence and suffered an 18-point loss to Maryland. 339 in Kenpom, but the Scarlet Knights did make it through an injury-riddled November without taking a Lafayette-type loss. He also added 7.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. a cross-court sprint into a contested lay-up. 10 Iowa as he recovered from a back injury, Scored 12 points with 3 assists and four rebounds versus Ohio State (Jan. 9), Posted season-highs with 14 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals in win over Minnesota (Feb. 4). Not too bad. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). Head coach Patrick Sellers and Steve Pikiell were assistants together at Central Connecticut State for two years around the millennium. Just as Rutgers was being read its last rites on the game in what really was a must win to maintain hope for a repeat trip to the NCAA Tournament, McConnell, like the team, came back from the dead to save the day. Everyone who follows Rutgers basketball knows that, and you could feel the appreciation in the stands Saturday. I love the fact that I can play him at almost any position while our younger guys are figuring out one position. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Expect McConnell to once again be one of the Big Ten Conference's top defenders in the 2022-23 season, as he hopes to continue to develop his game and help lead Rutgers to their third straight NCAA Tournament appearance. When McConnell got to college, his dad finally confessed. 13 Michigan State and No. 8/10 Indiana, Earned All-Met Player of the Week (Dec. 6), Named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, First Rutgers player to win conference Defensive Player of the Year award since Hamady Ndiaye in 2009-10, Also named Named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten and to Big Ten All-Defensive Team. Today, the word is tattooed across his stomach in bold, black letters. McConnell likely has a pro career ahead of him, here or abroad, and hell face it the same way he got to where he is now with an insatiable appetite for basketball, a chip on his shoulder, and a belief in himself fueled by those in his corner and the sacrifices he made along the way. Count them out at your own risk. All McConnell needed was a chance, and Rutgers was the one that gave it to him. 16 Buckeyes, Played in 20 games (eight starts), averaging 5.7 points and career-best 4.3 rebounds with career-high 29 steals, Did not make season debut until Jan. 2 against No. I appreciate the fans being patient with me and cheering me on and having my back.. McConnell's has a decorated resume through 60 career starts . bjsKICAgICAgICB3W2xdPXdbbF18fFtdO3dbbF0ucHVzaCh7J2d0bS5zdGFy Jacob Young and Caleb McConnell both scored 13 points and Ron Harper Jr. added 10. Pikiell and his staff loved what they saw on tape. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. Big Ten Basketball: Rutgers defeats Michigan State, 84-63. He scored 8 of the final 10 points and finished with a game high 25 points. Get a yearly subscription for $99.95/year or $9.95/month. Sign up for the Rutgers Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. I got to play for my brothers.. INCREDIBLE BLOCK BY @caleb_mccoWhat a spark for @RutgersMBB! The kids a dog.. Please check your email for a confirmation. "Spoke to Steve Pikiell a little bit ago. IHZlcnNpb24gb2YgY3MuanMgc28gd2UgYWx3YXlzIGhhdmUgdGhlIGxhc3Qg Golden Gophers forward Jameson Battle hit a game-winning buzzer-beater as the horn sounded to give Minnesota the 75-74 victory. McConnell was the star of the historic win, scoring 13 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and playing his trademark defense. He was a key member of the 2019-20 team that would have snapped Rutgers then 29-year NCAA Tournament drought had it not been for the coronavirus pandemic. Thank you to the fans, the University and all who played a part in providing me this opportunity to play at Rutgers. What would they talk about? eTpoaWRkZW4nIHdpZHRoPScwJz48L2lmcmFtZT4KPC9ub3NjcmlwdD4KCgo=, PGRpdiBjbGFzcz0ncmEtY29udGFpbmVyIGRpc3Ryb19hZCc+CjxkaXYgY2xh The summer before his freshman season, McConnell recovered from surgery on the broken foot. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Was the new setting going to make things weird? McConnell isn't the only Scarlet Knight with Dayton roots. McConnell embraced the physicality and the competition, quickly going from the skinny kid everyone wanted guarding them to their first choice when picking teams. Every bit of it., After notching his first double-double of the season against Clemson, Caleb McConnell had the honor of slapping Rutgers into the next round of the NCAA Tournament on a big bracket at Bankers Life: pic.twitter.com/d6hzq4n3GY. When Spire Academy, an elite sports performance training and education program in Geneva, Ohio, offered McConnell a chance to transfer there for his senior season, it meant living on his own for the first time 200 miles from his dad and 900 miles from his mom. 5 takeaways as the standout guard returned from a knee injury Rutgers targeted by Penn State fans' vulgar, racist language during comeback win Unfortunately, in the article, Nj.com writes about the BYU-Duke volleyball game: "[R]acial slurs and threats were directed at a Black player on Duke's team during a match in Utah on Aug. 26." The BYU investigation revealed these slurs and threats did not occur. The senior guard came through on the defensive end to save the game for Rutgers in the upset of No. Watching the play several times, it jumps out as symbolic of this season for Rutgers mens basketball. The award comes days after the Scarlet Knights' (18-12, 12-8) season finale win over Penn State.. McConnell, a native of Jacksonville, Florida, earned the prestigious award with 67 total steals this season, 20 more than second-place Hakim Hart. The senior guard has dominated low-major foes just like he did at Loyola-Maryland. He adjusted the brace a few times, short-ironed a couple of shots, but did a lot of the dirty-work as usual deflecting balls, altering shots, setting screens, making the extra pass. The Scarlet Knights will have to work to earn a bid to the tournament. Scarlet Nation continues to hear things are trending in that direction as McConnell could use an extra year to improve his draft stock. I was like, lets just relax and let it come to me.. He is rarely the Scarlet Knights top scorer, but he creates scoring chances for himself and his teammates because of his defensive ability. cG9XSlVIbnFWemRFYTd3JmFtcDtndG1fcHJldmlldz1lbnYtMSZhbXA7Z3Rt He followed it up with the best summer of his college career and entered his senior year with a specific goal: to be the Big Tens defensive player of the year. Caleb McConnell is a semifinalist for Naismith Men's Defensive Player of the Year. At least one Big East coach, to Briskis amazement, said he was soft. When he missed eight games to start the 2020-21 season the first missed games of his college career it gnawed at McConnell. Ron Harper Jr. spent a good portion of his childhood in the city where his famous father, five-time NBA champion Ron Harper Sr., grew up. Still, McConnells basketball future was cloudy as the end of his senior season approached. When the Scarlet Knights opened 7-1, he was dying to join them. Hes been as good a player as there has been in the conference," Pikiell said. Written off, lost and bewildered. 33: 26: 2:03: Foul on Antwone . b3ItMjAyMi0yMy1zZWFzb24iCiAgfSk7CiAgKGZ1bmN0aW9uKCkgewogICAg N'Diaye did so in the Big East following the 2009-2010 season and McConnell . VE0tTUY2UFhYQycpOwo8L3NjcmlwdD4KPG5vc2NyaXB0Pgo8aWZyYW1lIGhl Coaches and scouts said he was too skinny, which meant he would get pushed around by bigger players. Climbing RU's all-time leader board forcareer steals. McConnells first sport was football, just like his older brothers Bryant and Jordan, but he found another love when he was around 8 and his mom signed him up to play basketball. L3d3dy5nb29nbGV0YWdtYW5hZ2VyLmNvbS9ndG0uanM/aWQ9JytpK2RsKycm Hes not going to let anything bother him and hes not going to make any excuses about it. His cousins story was similar to thousands across the country a good kid, McConnell believed, who got caught in a bad situation and was paying the price for it and he was about to see him for the first time in four years. Im unbreakable because no matter what happens, Im still going to keep going and overcome all the challenges, all the injuries, all the setbacks, all the doubts. As he watched practice following his daily rehab sessions, he could see the chemistry and the potential for a historic season. As a fourth-year player this past season, McConnell . As expected, rusty. 113. A three-star recruit, he had nowhere to go. Caleb McConnell UNBREAKABLE Rutgers MBB LLA . Rutgers guard Caleb McConnell is not expected to play in Thursday night's meeting with Michigan due to the back injury he suffered during pregame warmups ahead of Saturday's win over Wisconsin . 16 Ohio State (four), No. McConnell played his entire senior season with a sports hernia and a painful hip injury, and it took a broken foot to get McConnell off of the court for good. Caleb McConnell (22) Guard - Caleb McConnell is the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, the only individual award given to a RU player since joining . UNBREAKABLE.. I just love being outside, playing outside, playing at the park all day. And there were nagging injuries a bad back, jammed fingers, sore shoulders, bruised ribs along the way. The caption read: Proverbs 3:5-6. The freshman had 19 points in the game and was a problem for the Scarlet Knights all night. Having him on the floor automatically improves Rutgers on both ends, especially when it comes to defense. He scored just 4 points, but had 4 rebounds, 4 steals and the all-important blocked shot. Here is the legendary play by McConnell that might just go down as the highlight of his Rutgers career at least so far. His impact in many games isnt necessarily fully reflected in the box score. He was previously selected to the watchlist last month. Rutgers led 70-60 before Garcia scored the next four points and Battle hit consecutives 3s to pull the Golden Gophers to 73-70 with 22 seconds left, and Jaden Henley's putback cut the deficit to 73-72. photo: Creative Commons / Gage Skidmore https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2./deed.en. I have so much love for them, and I wouldnt be where I am without them. I was just focused on making it down the floor and making the right plays," he explained. Imh0dHBzOi8vc2Iuc2NvcmVjYXJkcmVzZWFyY2guY29tL3A/YzE9MiZjMj03 Rutgers falls to Minnesota at the buzzer, Scarlet Knights suffer gut-punch. Here is another angle that shows the authority in which McConnell blocked the ball but also that the play was clearly a clean stop. So how did McConnell look? All rights reserved (About Us). That is the minimum expectation from him across March, when Rutgers will play two more regular-season games . It was not a seamless transition. JAMISON BATTLE WITH A BUZZER BEATER FOR @GopherMBB (via @CBBonFOX) pic.twitter.com/NPEFUfaxDa. Brian Fonseca may be reached at bfonseca@njadvancemedia.com. Theres not much to be drawn from beating up on an opponent ranked No. McConnell told him about his budding basketball career and his cousin described life on the inside: the lack of freedom, the danger of being housed with violent criminals, the feeling of separation from the world and everything hes known. That was until McConnell made up incredible ground and delivered as memorable a block as I can remember for this program. Kristian Dyer. We cant do it without you. Baker scored the final five points for Rutgers after the Scarlet Knights built an 11-point lead and nearly gave it all away. 13 Wisconsin (six) and No. Rutgers doesnt need him to produce a ton of points at the Big Ten level, but its important that he keeps defenses honest with the threat of scoring. You saw the energy he brings," Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell said. He kept going at dudes. Caleb McConnell made the second of two free throws for Rutgers with 5.8 seconds left before Battle stole the . MINNEAPOLIS (AP)Jamison Battle hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer and finished with 20 points as Minnesota beat Rutgers 75-74 on Thursday night to snap a 12-game losing streak. MARCH. IS. Yesterday afternoon, senior guard Caleb McConnell of the Rutgers men's basketball team was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. And he was tougher than Briski could have imagined. Whats next for Rutgers Athletics following the 2021-2022 season? Rutgers men's basketball's fifth-year captain Caleb McConnell has been named to the 2023 Naismith National Defensive Player of the Year semifinalist, consisting of 10 of the top defenders in the country. "We've been trying to let these guys know we need more from them with me and Paul out, and theyve been bringing it," McConnell said. McConnell is a tremendous defensive presence, blending natural athleticism with instincts and intelligence. "I was just focused on making it down the floor and making the right plays," he explained. Led Big Ten in steals, setting new career-high in steals with 70 on the season. McConnell is coming off his best season yet, as he is the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of The year. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. That is the furthest thing from his mind. When visiting his dad in the summer, the routine was the same: hours spent at outdoor courts and in the local recreation center, where his aunt organized a basketball camp. Caleb McConnell made the second of two free throws for Rutgers with 5.8 seconds left before Battle stole the win for the Gophers. Rutgers Recruiting: Will Scarlet Knights make surprise push for Bronny James? McConnell has posted a 42.0 field percentage after only shooting 39.7 percent from the field last season. Over the last five years, Caleb McConnell has been a steady presence in the Rutgers lineup. However, his offensive rebounding rate in Big Ten play is 6.8%. . He has also been a rebounds machine of late, with 32 rebounds so far in 2023. McConnell is one of three foundational veterans in the program, along with Omoruyi and senior point guard Paul Mulcahy. 0:05. We miss having you out there. McConnell will give it everything he has, carried by the unbreakable mindset that got him here, sharing all the fruits of his labor with those who backed him up along the way. During the 2022-203 campaign, Rutgers has been one of the best teams in the Big Ten, as McConnell has continued to improve . The brotherhood, the culture and the friendships we built with each other are going to last forever. All rights reserved (About Us). Caleb Mcconnell gets the layup to fall vs. Penn State Nittany Lions. Hes playing through a partially torn hip labrum and hes working out six times a day. caleb mcconnell rutgers tattoogeorgia foraging laws. They said he was tough to project because he played more than one position. According to a former coach, he is also toughest damn dude in the Big Ten.. Battles game-winning shot capped a 15-4 run in the final 1:15 for Minnesotas only lead of the game. He was one of ten that made the cut as a semifinalist last season. Clifford Omoruyi scored 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Rutgers (18-12, 10-9). Its great to have him it gives me a lift.. Then, you factor in his rebounds and his assists, he does a lot of things for us that equate to winning. The latest stats, facts, news and notes on Caleb McConnell of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights Hes fearless.. The play also sent the RAC faithful into a frenzy the rest of the way that helped propel this team to victory. The Scarlet Knights are now 14-9 overall and 8-5 in Big Ten play. What makes McConnell so valuable is how he impacts a game in multiple ways. 19). The 2022 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and one of the best players in the conference is back. Zi5wYXJlbnROb2RlLmluc2VydEJlZm9yZShqLGYpOwogICAgICAgIHdpbmRv McConnell was a great locker room presence, able to flip a switch from the relentless player he was on the court to a unifying force off of it. Tip time is 7:15 p.m. Im looking forward to these next couple of games because I know the competition is going to get better," he said. He has been more involved offensively and is taking advantage of his opportunities. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Scored in double-figures four times in a five-game span (Clemson, Purdue, Seton Hall, Maine), 16 points versus Clemson was new career-high, Also set career-highs in rebounds (12, Seton Hall), assists (9, UMass) and steals (6, UMass), Had four steals in each of wins over No. McConnell is coming off his best season yet, as he is the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of The year. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Support NJ.com, Brian Fonseca | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. He is focused solely on finishing the fourth year of a Big Ten basketball career few believed could happen on the right foot, carrying an unshakable belief that Rutgers can disprove the doubters and return to March Madness. I think hes the best and the most versatile defender in the league, Pikiell said. and Caleb McConnell then made one of two for Rutgers. Battle's game-winn Thanks for contacting us. During the 2022-203 campaign, Rutgers has been one of the best teams in the Big Ten, as McConnell has continued to improve his game. cyd9KTt2YXIgZj1kLmdldEVsZW1lbnRzQnlUYWdOYW1lKHMpWzBdLAogICAg The Jacksonville native has seen his playing time rise and has shown that he can be a veteran leader. The Scarlet Knights will look to earn as many automatic qualifier spots to the NCAA Tournament that they can this weekend in Ann Arbor, Michigan. March 2, 2022 6:24 am ET. Hes always got something lingering, but just doesnt care. Sie suchen nach einem 70413 lego, das Ihren Ansprchen gerecht wird? There were the attributes obvious to everyone some sharp shooting, an ability to drive to the rim, dynamic playmaking, a willingness to pass the ball but Briski was impressed by something else. Rutgers basketball makes a move down in CBS Sports projections from Jerry Palm. Neither do we. The Buckeyes still led 64-60 with 2:33 to play when they threw the deep pass from their own baseline coming out of a timeout to find Malaki Branham wide open just past midcourt. Minnesota won 75-74. 71 posts. Reigning Big Ten defensive player of the year Caleb McConnell is back and looks to have a huge season for the Scarlet Knights. INCREDIBLE BLOCK BY @caleb_mcco . Was perfect 12-12 at free throw line against Purdue (Jan. 28), tied for most ever by a RU player in a Big Ten game. Rutgers basketball has seen a slide in the latest analytics updates from KenPom. But the other three scholarship Scarlet Knights who are walking in the ceremony guard Paul Mulcahy, forwards Oskar Palmquist and Aundre Hyatt all have at least one year of eligibility remaining, and thus have the option to return to Rutgers next winter. pic . My friends would ask what I was doing or to hang out and Id tell them to meet me at the park. Cam Spencer (18 points on 6-8 shooting, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals) looks fully in the flow of Rutgers schemes. Around the Big Ten: Where does Mike DeCourcy have the Big Ten teams in the NCAA Tournament? Rutgers senior guard Caleb McConnell's availability for the start of the 2022-23 season is unclear as he works his way back from the knee injury he sustained in practice earlier this month, head . They just didnt trust their eyes I guess, I dont know. ICAgIGo9ZC5jcmVhdGVFbGVtZW50KHMpLGRsPWwhPSdkYXRhTGF5ZXInPycm c3M9J3ZpZGVvLWFkLXdyYXBwZXInPgo8c2NyaXB0IGFzeW5jIHNyYz0nLy9j 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. McConnell made the 15-minute walk from his moms Jacksonville apartment to the courts and he spent hours in pickup games, a majority of which against grown men. Players didnt call fouls because there were none allowed. AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, (select parishes), MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, CA-ONT only.Eligibility restrictions apply. Woolfolk, the backup center, tallied 9 points on 4-of-4 shooting and added four boards and two steals. Box Score MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The Scarlet Knights took a tough loss in Minneapolis on Thursday night. 9 recruit in Ohio by 247Sports.com, Averaged 13.9 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists as a junior at Dayton (Ohio) Dunbar High before transferring to SPIRE, A 2016-2017 Associated Press Southwest All-District II honoree, Competed on the AAU circuit for C2K Elite, Son of Bryant McConnell and Stefanie Meade, Signed with Scarlet Knights over reported offers from West Virginia, Wichita State, UMass, St. Bonaventure, Temple, Missouri State, Wright State, Akron and Kent State. California's agriculture industry leans into big tech as farming expenses soar, Gunfire at SW Miami-Dade apartment complex, HIGH SCHOOL ROUNDUP: Nantucket boys basketball come up short in MIAA tourney. It was his way of getting me better. He is an Associated Press Top 25 voter. He woke his dad at 6 a.m. every morning for rides to workouts with a personal trainer. It will be fascinating to see how his hot hand translates to the upcoming spike in competition. Men's Basketball "I made a pass to Cliff (Omoruyi) and he didnt see it coming; I was forcing things, and then I hear someone say, Caleb, just let it come to you! After that I kind of relaxed. McConnell logged more than 10 points during each of his last three games started. But the other three scholarship Scarlet Knights who are . aWdodD0nMCcgc3JjPSdodHRwczovL3d3dy5nb29nbGV0YWdtYW5hZ2VyLmNv (Photos courtesy of the McConnell family). How do you survive in here? McConnell asked. Verified. He came into Rutgers as part of the 2018 recruiting class with Harper Jr., who already hired an agent and will not return to use his final year of college eligibility at Rutgers. Assisted by Caleb McConnell. Contact him atjcarino@gannettnj.com. Of course, he hustled. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Dave Briski, head coach at Spire Academy, watched from the stands as McConnell, then a junior at Dunbar High, dominated his opponents. He announced his decision with an Instagram video on June 1st "calling Rutgers Nation" from his hometown in Florida.