He also drew a charge and dished out a point guard-quality assist. Zi5wYXJlbnROb2RlLmluc2VydEJlZm9yZShqLGYpOwogICAgICAgIHdpbmRv 11.3k Followers, 1,244 Following, 71 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Caleb McConnell (@calebmcco) calebmcco. He was previously selected to the watchlist last month. His impact in many games isnt necessarily fully reflected in the box score. That has made Rutgers a tough matchup regardless of the opponent. 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. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. The Scarlet Knights will have to work to earn a bid to the tournament. Please update it here. He has been more involved offensively and is taking advantage of his opportunities. GET TKR PREMIUM FREE FOR 30 DAYS CLICK HERE FOR MORE. I think hes the best and the most versatile defender in the league, Pikiell said. It was so frustrating for me at that time because its, like, Damn, I cant get a break, McConnell said. All the things Ive been through and all the things Ive overcome, then you throw basketball in there and all the things I dealt with in my college career, I never folded, I never gave up on myself, McConnell said. As Rutgers looks to make a tournament run, McConnell will be critical. Sign up for the Rutgers Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Rutgers mens basketball guard Caleb McConnell was named a semifinalist on Tuesday for the Naismith Mens Defensive Player of the Year. Around the Big Ten: Where does Mike DeCourcy have the Big Ten teams in the NCAA Tournament? Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, News never stops. Laser Tattoo Removal clinics in Taipei City at the best price. His 21 steals over a five-game stretch tied him for second most in the Big Ten since 2002-03. Credit Solution Experts Incorporated offers quality business credit building services, which includes an easy step-by-step system designed for helping clients build their business credit effortlessly. Kristian Dyer. Without McConnells miraculous play, the eventual 10-0 run is erased and Rutgers would have trailed by six points with just over two minutes to play. Assisted by Caleb McConnell. bS9jcy5qcyI7CiAgICBlbC5wYXJlbnROb2RlLmluc2VydEJlZm9yZShzLCBl One phrase can describe senior guard Caleb McConnell's four-year career as a member of the Scarlet Knights (18-12, 12-8): tough as nails.. Caleb McConnell made the second of two free throws for Rutgers with 5.8 seconds left before Battle stole the . It was a match made in heaven, Briski said. With two games left in the regular season, Rutgers very much controls their NCAA Tournament destiny. Averaged 5.5 points and 2.5 rebounds with 26 steals and 32 assists, Led team in 3-point percentage (35.7%) and was second in team in steals, Among Big Ten freshman, ranked fifth in steals, Scored in double-figures six times, five of those coming against Big Ten foes, including a career-best 25 points at Illinois (Feb. 9), Averaged 11.8 points over the final four games of the season, A 247Sports and Rivals three-star prospect who attended SPIRE Institute in Geneva, Ohio, helping the team to a 22-6 record in 2017-18 under head coach Dave Briski, Averaged 15.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.0 steals-per-game as a senior, Scored 30 points with seven assists against Our Savior Lutheran (N.Y.), Ranked the No. The play also sent the RAC faithful into a frenzy the rest of the way that helped propel this team to victory. Thank you to Coach Pikiell for believing in me and recruiting a kid from Jacksonville, Florida, and Dayton, Ohio to play at Rutgers when few people believed in me. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). Clifford Omoruyi scored 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Rutgers (18-12, 10-9). Theres not much to be drawn from beating up on an opponent ranked No. Play By Play - 1st Half; Time Remaining RU Away Team Score Play Team Indicator Home Team Score PSU Game Score Team Indicator Play; 19:36: TURNOVER by MCCONNELL,CALEB I love the fact that I can play him at almost any position while our younger guys are figuring out one position. 22 on the court for the first time this season. Climbing RU's all-time leader board forcareer steals. The kid just was relentless, he recalled. bD0nK2w6Jyc7ai5hc3luYz10cnVlO2ouc3JjPQogICAgICAgICdodHRwczov The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Dave Briski, head coach at Spire Academy, watched from the stands as McConnell, then a junior at Dunbar High, dominated his opponents. Reigning Big Ten defensive player of the year Caleb McConnell is back and looks to have a huge season for the Scarlet Knights. McConnell made his official visit to Rutgers in the spring and by the end of the weekend, he was a Scarlet Knight. During the 2022-203 campaign, Rutgers has been one of the best teams in the Big Ten, as McConnell has continued to improve . Its paid off immensely: McConnell leads the Big Ten in steals (2.1 per game), provided game-changing defensive performances in numerous wins -- including upsets of Big Ten title contenders Purdue and Michigan State -- and is in the thick of the race for the award with a month left in the regular season. Watching the play several times, it jumps out as symbolic of this season for Rutgers mens basketball. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Big Ten Basketball: Rutgers defeats Michigan State, 84-63. Rutgers (18-12 overall, 10-9 Big Ten) led this game through 39 minutes and 59.9 seconds, until Jamison Battle's 3-pointer fell through the net as the buzzer sounded. Then Pikiell inserted McConnell into the starting lineup, the Scarlet Knights won five of their next six games and eventually squeaked into the tournament, ending a 30-year drought. I just love being outside, playing outside, playing at the park all day. McConnell was the star of the historic win, scoring 13 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and playing his trademark defense. MjQxNDY5JmM3PWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGcnV0Z2Vycy5yaXZhbHMuY29tJTJG Rutgers Basketball got some good news today as wing player Caleb McConnell intends to withdraw his name from the 2022 NBA Draft and will return to college for one last season with the Scarlet Knights. There were many big plays, including Geo Bakers clutch drive with the game on the line to draw the foul and knock down the pair of free throws. ", Of the brace, he said, "It doesnt hinder my game. "Caleb has been the ultimate ambassador for our program on and off the court. Even by Rutgers basketball's historically painful standards, Thursday's loss at Minnesota ranks among the most infamous. So how did McConnell look? Yes, Rutgers basketball fans fully grasped the importance of seeing No. Yesterday afternoon, senior guard Caleb McConnell of the Rutgers men's basketball team was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. 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. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. He did that every day. 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. Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell reacts during Rutgers' loss to Minnesota on March 2. "Ive been out these last six weeks and had just three or four practices. Not too bad. And he was tougher than Briski could have imagined. As a fourth-year player this past season, McConnell averaged 7.1 points per game, 5.3 rebounds per game, 2.1 assists per game and 2.2 steals per game, all of which were considered career highs for him. A mistake. What makes McConnell so valuable is how he impacts a game in multiple ways. On The Banks Rutgers Athletics Oral History Project. Last season, McConnell led the Big Ten in steals with 2.2 per game. Sophomore guard Jalen Miller has been a defensive specialist to this point, but he broke out on the offensive end Saturday, scoring a career-high six points on 2-3 shooting to go with three rebounds. Bryant returned to his roots in Dayton, Ohio, while Stefanie followed her family to Jacksonville, Fla. 16 Ohio State, Had key chase-down block on breakaway layup attempt to spark 10-0 run to close out win over No. And there were nagging injuries a bad back, jammed fingers, sore shoulders, bruised ribs along the way. With 178 career steals he ties James Bailey.#TheKnighthood pic.twitter.com/z7B2L16nqz, Rutgers Mens Basketball (@RutgersMBB) January 12, 2023. All it takes is perseverance, keeping my head down and keep going.. He woke his dad at 6 a.m. every morning for rides to workouts with a personal trainer. The Rutgers guard is averaging a career-high 2.4 steals a game. Jacob Young and Caleb McConnell both scored 13 points and Ron Harper Jr. added 10. a cross-court sprint into a contested lay-up. As he watched practice following his daily rehab sessions, he could see the chemistry and the potential for a historic season. He announced his decision with an Instagram video on June 1st "calling Rutgers Nation" from his hometown in Florida. Woolfolk, the backup center, tallied 9 points on 4-of-4 shooting and added four boards and two steals. Sie suchen nach einem 70413 lego, das Ihren Ansprchen gerecht wird? LmpzcmRuLmNvbS9zL2NzLmpzP3A9MjI1NDYnIHR5cGU9J3RleHQvamF2YXNj 11.3K followers. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Photo credit Rutgers Athletics. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. News never stops. (Photos courtesy of the McConnell family). Still, McConnells basketball future was cloudy as the end of his senior season approached. Dont be surprised of the Blue Devils (0-7) remain on Rutgers schedule going forward. Here is the legendary play by McConnell that might just go down as the highlight of his Rutgers career at least so far. The freshman had 19 points in the game and was a problem for the Scarlet Knights all night. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. MUNSTER SECTIONAL. McConnell would bring veteran leadership back to the team and he was also named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year last season. But quickly, it was like old times two longtime buddies talking through telephones on two sides of the glass. . The reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year is pulling his name out of the NBA Draft pool and is returning to Rutgers for his final season . Of course, he hustled. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. 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. aWQ9J2RzX2RlZmF1bHRfYW5jaG9yJz48L2Rpdj4KPC9kaXY+CjwvZGl2PgoK, Certain Data by Sportradar and Stats Perform, PCEtLSBCZWdpbiBjb21TY29yZSBUYWcgLS0+Cgo8c2NyaXB0PgogIHZhciBf Meanwhile, McConnell developed and grew as a player. McConnell is one of three foundational veterans in the program, along with Omoruyi and senior point guard Paul Mulcahy. Rutgers won a game in astounding fashion in the midst of a brutal stretch of the season that theyre turning into opportunity. McConnell, who led the conference with 70 steals last season, decided for one last ride with his beloved Scarlet Knights after working out with several NBA teams this offseason. bS9uZXdzL2NhbGViLW1jY29ubmVsbC1yZXR1cm5pbmctdG8tcnV0Z2Vycy1m 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. McConnell is coming off his best season yet, as he is the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of The year. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. As expected, rusty. MARCH. However, his offensive rebounding rate in Big Ten play is 6.8%. Then came the texts and calls from teammates that all carried the same message: We really need you this year. Everyone who follows Rutgers basketball knows that, and you could feel the appreciation in the stands Saturday. On an evening that has suddenly become crucial for its NCAA Tournament hopes, Rutgers will honor its veteran players with its annual Senior Day festivities ahead of their regular season finale against Northwestern at Jersey Mikes Arena on Sunday. 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. We've received your submission. The kids a dog.. 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. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. McConnell isn't the only Scarlet Knight with Dayton roots. Rutgers guard Caleb McConnell is a contender for the Big Ten's Defender of the Year award. He is rarely the Scarlet Knights top scorer, but he creates scoring chances for himself and his teammates because of his defensive ability. Are Democrats excited about another Biden run? ICAgfSkod2luZG93LGRvY3VtZW50LCdzY3JpcHQnLCdkYXRhTGF5ZXInLCdH Even though McConnell broke his foot just before Pikiell was scheduled to fly out and watch him play, Pikiell made the trip to Ohio anyway. As this team proved once again highlighted by the block from the rafters by Caleb McConnell, Rutgers is very much alive as the calendar turns to mid-February. 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. bmV3cyUyRmNhbGViLW1jY29ubmVsbC1yZXR1cm5pbmctdG8tcnV0Z2Vycy1m Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell and guard Caleb McConnell (22) are a "match made in heaven," McConnell's high school coach said.Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. Caleb has given up so much because he believes what hell achieve in the end.. 33: 26: 2:03: Foul on Antwone . College players have until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday to withdraw from the 2022 NBA Draft and retain their college eligibility. 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 . The senior guard came through on the defensive end to save the game for Rutgers in the upset of No. 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. As McConnell has stepped up offensively, he has frustrated opponents on the other end of the court. His back slowly started to heal, allowing him to participate in practice on the scout team. 13 Michigan State (four) and No. Its great to have him it gives me a lift.. My teammates really helped me find my spots by sharing the game., Added Pikiell: Real pleased with what he gave us hes been playing well for us in the absence of Paul and Caleb.. He is an unbelievable person and has been one of our best all-around players on both sides of the floor. He is the only Big Ten player to make the semifinalist cut. He battled through countless injuries and college coaches who doubted him a skinny high school player many believed was too soft for high-major hoops. Just played through it until the next dead ball, Briski said. Written off, lost and bewildered. The sacrifices, the surgery, the waiting were worth it for that moment, McConnell said. IHZlcnNpb24gb2YgY3MuanMgc28gd2UgYWx3YXlzIGhhdmUgdGhlIGxhc3Qg Rutgers' Geo Baker, left, Ron Harper Jr., middle, and Caleb McConnell walk off the court after the team's loss to Notre Dame in a First Four game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament . Of course, he was ultimately named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. He was rewarded with the honor of moving Rutgers name to the next stage of the bracket. Imh0dHBzOi8vc2Iuc2NvcmVjYXJkcmVzZWFyY2guY29tL3A/YzE9MiZjMj03 Hes always got something lingering, but just doesnt care. I always think in my head, Im unbreakable. I can overcome all those things. 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. Hes not going to let anything bother him and hes not going to make any excuses about it. Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Caleb McConnell (22) waits to enter the game during the first half against the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils at Jersey Mike's Arena. When McConnell got to college, his dad finally confessed. Jun 01 CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Slot to Rutgers Scarlet Knights Newsletter. . I just started laughing and shaking my head when he told me, he said. It was their own fault and the play started with a blown coverage. Box Score MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The Scarlet Knights took a tough loss in Minneapolis on Thursday night. Hes not soft. His work ethic was incredible, Bryant McConnell said. I said, What are you talking about? Briski said. --------------------------------------------------------------, Talk about it inside The Round Table Message Board, Talk about it on the Rutgers Hoops Free Message Board, PHNjcmlwdD4KICAoZnVuY3Rpb24odyxkLHMsbCxpKXsKICAgICAgICBpZiAo Simpson, a point guard out of Lenape High School, finished with 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting Saturday and brought the crowd to its feet with a thunderous breakaway dunk. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. McConnell had 12 points (5-11 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 0-1 FT), four rebounds, four assists and one steal over 32 minutes during Sunday's 59-56 win over Penn State. Caleb McConnell was fouled . He is a ferocious defender on and off the ball. "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. A return to Rutgers would be big for the program as head coach Steve Pikiell is looking to retool after losing Geo Baker and Ron Harper Jr., both of whom were instrumental in the programs resurgence. Men's Basketball 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. PISCATAWAY A huge cheer arose from the 5,000 denizens of Jersey Mikes Arena five minutes into Saturdays game, when Caleb McConnell rose from the bench and checked in at the scorers table. Here is the legendary play by McConnell that might just go down as the highlight of his Rutgers career at least so far. cG9XSlVIbnFWemRFYTd3JmFtcDtndG1fcHJldmlldz1lbnYtMSZhbXA7Z3Rt "It was a tough six weeks for me. They said he was tough to project because he played more than one position. 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. Hell go down as one of the great winners that weve had here, Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell said. 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. It was a Lebron James level type of defensive play. bjsKICAgICAgICB3W2xdPXdbbF18fFtdO3dbbF0ucHVzaCh7J2d0bS5zdGFy But the other three scholarship Scarlet Knights who are . It would be a fitting award to conclude an arduous college basketball career that few believed was possible. And just like that, it became McConnells mantra, too, something he repeated over and over to himself in tough moments on and off the court. The more Briski learned about him, the more there was to like. 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. 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. In his final year as a Scarlet Knight, McConnell is having an unforgettable last dance and helping Rutgers earn national headlines. 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 Read more on nj.com. Senior Caleb McConnell was the first Rutgers player since Hamady N'Diaye to win a Defensive Player of the Year Award. 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. #1. Rutgers basketball makes a move down in CBS Sports projections from Jerry Palm. Rutgers basketball has seen a slide in the latest analytics updates from KenPom. 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. McConnell logged more than 10 points during each of his last three games started. On The Banks Rutgers Athletics Oral History Project, Men's Basketball Loses 75-74 to Minnesota on Thursday Night, Caleb McConnell Named Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Semifinalist, Mens Basketball Pulls Off Biggest Comeback Since 1996 at PSU, Men's Basketball Heads to Penn State for Sunday Night Matchup, Men's Basketball Falls to Michigan Thursday. cmlwdCc+PC9zY3JpcHQ+CjxkaXYgY2xhc3M9J3ZpZGVvLWNvbnRhaW5lcicg There are no statistics available for this player. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. With two steals tonight Caleb McConnell has officially moved into 5th all-time at Rutgers. Its unlikely the Scarlet Knights will return to the NCAA Tournament this season, but McConnell has another year of eligibility, so he can return and make another run if he wants. They just didnt trust their eyes I guess, I dont know. Mulcahy remains sidelined indefinitely by left shoulder injury; Pikiell said he's been cleared to practice but not for contact. The Jacksonville native has seen his playing time rise and has shown that he can be a veteran leader. Those three three years of eating, sleeping and breathing basketball turned McConnell into a Division I prospect. McConnell embraced the physicality and the competition, quickly going from the skinny kid everyone wanted guarding them to their first choice when picking teams. https://rutgerswire.usatoday.com/2022/03/02/caleb-mcconnell-is-a-semifinalist-for-naismith-mens-defensive-player-of-the-year/, Naismith Mens Defensive Player of the Year. Battles game-winning shot capped a 15-4 run in the final 1:15 for Minnesotas only lead of the game. 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. Over the last five years, Caleb McConnell has been a steady presence in the Rutgers lineup. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. 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. "Certainly for the first time these guys being on this stage, they were locked in from the beginning," Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell said. ESPN's projections for Rutgers basketball and their NCAA Tournament outlook? They were wonderful co-parents who remain good friends to this day, but the physical distance between them was tough on their sons. Rutgers basketball makes a move down in CBS Sports projections from Jerry Palm. It feels like Ive been through one long fight for years., He announced his decision on Twitter in October. dCc6CiAgICAgICAgbmV3IERhdGUoKS5nZXRUaW1lKCksZXZlbnQ6J2d0bS5q