His level of compete was one of the highest Ive ever seen at that age. Bryant returned to his roots in Dayton, Ohio, while Stefanie followed her family to Jacksonville, Fla. Right now its there for some stability.. I think hes the best and the most versatile defender in the league, Pikiell said. As a fourth-year player this past season, McConnell . Just played through it until the next dead ball, Briski said. You saw the energy he brings," Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell said. Rutgers basketball has seen a slide in the latest analytics updates from KenPom. 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. Are Democrats excited about another Biden run? He scored just 4 points, but had 4 rebounds, 4 steals and the all-important blocked shot. He tallied 4 points on 2-of-5 shooting and added four rebounds, three assists and a block. Instead, Geo Baker hit a step back jumper to cut the lead to 64-62 at the two minute mark. moving Rutgers name to the next stage of the bracket. dmFyIHMgPSBkb2N1bWVudC5jcmVhdGVFbGVtZW50KCJzY3JpcHQiKSwgZWwg 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 . They just didnt trust their eyes I guess, I dont know. In 2018, McConnell was a three-star prospect that was the 73rd-ranked shooting guard in the country. Despite the bumps and bruises, McConnell progressed from a freshman reserve who displayed occasional glimpses of his potential to a sophomore starter. They were wonderful co-parents who remain good friends to this day, but the physical distance between them was tough on their sons. 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 bCk7CiAgfSkoKTsKPC9zY3JpcHQ+Cgo8bm9zY3JpcHQ+CiAgPGltZyBzcmM9 That has made Rutgers a tough matchup regardless of the opponent. Simply put, it changed the game. 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.. I was just focused on making it down the floor and making the right plays," he explained. Hes been as good a player as there has been in the conference," Pikiell said. Ive got to yank him out of the gym. He was rewarded with the honor of moving Rutgers name to the next stage of the bracket. Leaving his mother, brothers, grandparents and friends was tough, but McConnell was committed to getting better. Not too bad. Jacob Young and Caleb McConnell both scored 13 points and Ron Harper Jr. added 10. McConnell is coming off his best season yet, as he is the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of The year. Along with all that, McConnell also racked up a couple of different postseason honors. Season-saving. Thats another thing he had to be strong for, his mother said. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. 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.. . Dave Briski, head coach at Spire Academy, watched from the stands as McConnell, then a junior at Dunbar High, dominated his opponents. The kids fearless, man. The Scarlet Knights are now 14-9 overall and 8-5 in Big Ten play. "Ive been out these last six weeks and had just three or four practices. As he watched practice following his daily rehab sessions, he could see the chemistry and the potential for a historic season. Photo credit Rutgers Athletics. Here is the legendary play by McConnell that might just go down as the highlight of his Rutgers career at least so far. ewogICAgYzE6ICIyIiwKICAgIGMyOiAiNzI0MTQ2OSIsCiAgICBjNTogIjIw Find doctors, specialized in Cosmetology and compare prices, costs and reviews. Hes just tough. Having him on the floor automatically improves Rutgers on both ends, especially when it comes to defense. 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. 13 Wisconsin (six) and No. Rutgers is the last team in the NCAA Tournament? That label of this soft, skinny kid, I think it pissed him off, quite frankly.. 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. 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. b3ItMjAyMi0yMy1zZWFzb24iCiAgfSk7CiAgKGZ1bmN0aW9uKCkgewogICAg 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. Up 10 points on the Big Ten's last-place team with 1:15 remaining, with a third straight NCAA Tournament berth nearly locked up, the Scarlet Knights suffered an epic . 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. PSBkb2N1bWVudC5nZXRFbGVtZW50c0J5VGFnTmFtZSgic2NyaXB0IilbMF07 "We are excited to welcome Caleb McConnell back for one more season," said head coach Steve Pikiell. It was his way of getting me better. A mistake. 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. Led Big Ten in steals, setting new career-high in steals with 70 on the season. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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. 16 Ohio State (four), No. Last season, McConnell led the Big Ten in steals with 2.2 per game. The kid just was relentless, he recalled. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Slot to Rutgers Scarlet Knights Newsletter. Kristian Dyer. During the 2022-203 campaign, Rutgers has been one of the best teams in the Big Ten, as McConnell has continued to improve . Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Hell go down as one of the great winners that weve had here, Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell said. There is still the option to withdraw up until June 13th, as per the NBA rules, but that would not allow them to retain their college eligibility. I always think in my head, Im unbreakable. I can overcome all those things. bjsKICAgICAgICB3W2xdPXdbbF18fFtdO3dbbF0ucHVzaCh7J2d0bS5zdGFy Legendarypic.twitter.com/T5jWZ81x4c, Matt Sugam (@MattSugam) February 10, 2022. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. McConnell logged more than 10 points during each of his last three games started. Its great to have him it gives me a lift.. What would they talk about? 113. Watching the play several times, it jumps out as symbolic of this season for Rutgers mens basketball. 33: 26: 2:03: Foul on Antwone . The Scarlet Knights senior being recognized for his elite defensive efforts this . All I wanted to do was play basketball.. 71 posts. He caught the pass cleanly and looked to have a clear path to the basket in what would have been a devastating play for Rutgers to allow in that situation. How do you define wealth and a good life? Rutgers Recruiting: Will Scarlet Knights make surprise push for Bronny James? Freshmen Derek Simpson and Antwone Woolfolk, who will be needed in Big Ten competition, have gotten valuable time and shown growth this month. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. LmpzcmRuLmNvbS9zL2NzLmpzP3A9MjI1NDYnIHR5cGU9J3RleHQvamF2YXNj Mulcahy remains sidelined indefinitely by left shoulder injury; Pikiell said he's been cleared to practice but not for contact. Battles game-winning shot capped a 15-4 run in the final 1:15 for Minnesotas only lead of the game. That is the minimum expectation from him across March, when Rutgers will play two more regular-season games . Follow. Rutgers biggest test of the season is set for Wednesday with a trip to Miami as part of the Big Ten-ACC Challenge. As Rutgers looks to make a tournament run, McConnell will be critical. 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. McConnell made his official visit to Rutgers in the spring and by the end of the weekend, he was a Scarlet Knight. We've received your submission. Rutgers was carried by a stellar night from senior . The 2022 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and one of the best players in the conference is back. 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. 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. 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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. College players have until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday to withdraw from the 2022 NBA Draft and retain their college eligibility. INCREDIBLE BLOCK BY @caleb_mccoWhat a spark for @RutgersMBB! Caleb Mcconnell gets the layup to fall vs. Penn State Nittany Lions. Battle's game-winn Minnesota faces Wisconsin at home on Sunday while Rutgers plays host to Northwestern to wrap up their regular seasons. 339 in Kenpom, but the Scarlet Knights did make it through an injury-riddled November without taking a Lafayette-type loss. The summer before his freshman season, McConnell recovered from surgery on the broken foot. Tomorrow marks the deadline for which McConnell can withdraw from the 2022 NBA Draft and return to . Mens Basketball Game Thread: Rutgers at Minnesota. 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. When the Scarlet Knights opened 7-1, he was dying to join them. It was not a seamless transition. Man, it felt good," McConnell said. 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. Battle made three 3s and Dawson Garcia scored four points during the stretch. I just love being outside, playing outside, playing at the park all day. 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. But the other three scholarship Scarlet Knights who are . IHZlcnNpb24gb2YgY3MuanMgc28gd2UgYWx3YXlzIGhhdmUgdGhlIGxhc3Qg The NCAA opened a window for McConnell to return when it granted every Division I player a free year of eligibility that season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It will be the final home game of fifth-year senior Caleb McConnell's career as he runs out of collegiate eligibility after this season. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. He is a ferocious defender on and off the ball. McConnells return comes at a crucial juncture for Rutgers (5-1), which enters the schedules biggest gauntlet: at Miami Wednesday, followed by Big Ten favorite Indiana at home, at Ohio State, and then home games against rival Seton Hall and Wake Forest. My friends would ask what I was doing or to hang out and Id tell them to meet me at the park. Support NJ.com, Brian Fonseca | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, across his stomach in bold, black letters. With two steals tonight Caleb McConnell has officially moved into 5th all-time at Rutgers. But quickly, it was like old times two longtime buddies talking through telephones on two sides of the glass. 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. McConnell, teary-eyed and frustrated when he lost, often talked about quitting, but his dad would not let him. He has been more involved offensively and is taking advantage of his opportunities. He was previously selected to the watchlist last month. Your account has an invalid email address. #1. After being spurned by just about every Big Ten school, McConnell is now a key member of Rutgers basketball renaissance who, with eight games remaining in his senior season, is a top candidate for the conferences Defender of the Year award. That roar became an eruption a minute later, when McConnell converted his first touch into a bucket an eight-foot running floater from the baseline. Its about me finding the right time and my spots in the game, Miller said. ICAgfSkod2luZG93LGRvY3VtZW50LCdzY3JpcHQnLCdkYXRhTGF5ZXInLCdH I love the fact that I can play him at almost any position while our younger guys are figuring out one position. 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.