Big Ten and Big East programs that once had shown interest hesitated to take him. 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. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 16 Ohio State. McConnell is a tremendous defensive presence, blending natural athleticism with instincts and intelligence. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. When the Scarlet Knights opened 7-1, he was dying to join them. Over the last five years, Caleb McConnell has been a steady presence in the Rutgers lineup. Please check your email for a confirmation. Woolfolk, the backup center, tallied 9 points on 4-of-4 shooting and added four boards and two steals. Laser Tattoo Removal clinics in Taipei City at the best price. At least one Big East coach, to Briskis amazement, said he was soft. Mens Basketball Game Thread: Rutgers at Minnesota. The Scarlet Knights will have to work to earn a bid to the tournament. aWQ9J2RzX2RlZmF1bHRfYW5jaG9yJz48L2Rpdj4KPC9kaXY+CjwvZGl2PgoK, Certain Data by Sportradar and Stats Perform, PCEtLSBCZWdpbiBjb21TY29yZSBUYWcgLS0+Cgo8c2NyaXB0PgogIHZhciBf We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Caleb McConnell began playing basketball around eight years old, and his passion for the game has led him to plenty of success. 339 in Kenpom, but the Scarlet Knights did make it through an injury-riddled November without taking a Lafayette-type loss. In Indianapolis, they defeated Clemson for their first March Madness win in 38 years. Caleb has given up so much because he believes what hell achieve in the end.. ZyAtLT4KCgo=, Enjoying TheKnightReport? Despite the bumps and bruises, McConnell progressed from a freshman reserve who displayed occasional glimpses of his potential to a sophomore starter. 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. He was a dogged worker, the rare player Briski had to ask to spend less time in the gym. He is a ferocious defender on and off the ball. --------------------------------------------------------------, Talk about it inside The Round Table Message Board, Talk about it on the Rutgers Hoops Free Message Board, PHNjcmlwdD4KICAoZnVuY3Rpb24odyxkLHMsbCxpKXsKICAgICAgICBpZiAo No Rutgers fans, the chase down block by Caleb McConnell was not a dreamGame-saving. dy5fZGlkQXN5bmNJbmplY3RHb29nbGVUYWdNYW5hZ2VyID0gdHJ1ZTsKICAg It was so frustrating for me at that time because its, like, Damn, I cant get a break, McConnell said. He is the only Big Ten player to make the semifinalist cut. 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. dmVyc2lvbgogICAgcy5zcmMgPSAiaHR0cHM6Ly9zLnlpbWcuY29tL2N4L3Z6 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 McConnell is one of three foundational veterans in the program, along with Omoruyi and senior point guard Paul Mulcahy. Here is the legendary play by McConnell that might just go down as the highlight of his Rutgers career at least so far. 22 on the court for the first time this season. Will have a story up soon, but you'll hear first: Pikiell said he is not expecting Caleb McConnell to be available on Thursday against Michigan due to the back injury he sustained during warmups for the Wisconsin game. Support NJ.com, Brian Fonseca | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, across his stomach in bold, black letters. "It felt good to be back out there with my teammates, my brothers, and hear the crowd cheering.. Wearing a heavy brace on his leg, the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year came off the bench and logged 25 minutes during the Scarlet Knights 83-49 victory over Central Connecticut State. All rights reserved (About Us). Was the new setting going to make things weird? How much had he changed? Y29tc2NvcmUgPSBfY29tc2NvcmUgfHwgW107CiAgX2NvbXNjb3JlLnB1c2go c191Y2ZyPTAiIC8+Cjwvbm9zY3JpcHQ+CjwhLS0gRW5kIGNvbVNjb3JlIFRh 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. THIS. As McConnell has stepped up offensively, he has frustrated opponents on the other end of the court. Caleb McConnell was fouled . 16 Ohio State 66-64 behind a 10-0 run in the final 3:48 of the game. Commanded his way off the bench with a double-double (13 points and 10 rebounds) in win against Clemson in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament (Mar. Rutgers men's basketball guard Caleb McConnell was named a semifinalist on Tuesday for the Naismith Men's Defensive Player of the Year. Caleb McConnell is coming back for one more year. Around the Big Ten: Where does Mike DeCourcy have the Big Ten teams in the NCAA Tournament? In fact, it was a voice from the crowd that helped him shake off some rust. Battle's game-winn It would be a fitting award to conclude an arduous college basketball career that few believed was possible. bjsKICAgICAgICB3W2xdPXdbbF18fFtdO3dbbF0ucHVzaCh7J2d0bS5zdGFy Brian Fonseca may be reached at bfonseca@njadvancemedia.com. 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. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. Man, it felt good," McConnell said. "Ive been out these last six weeks and had just three or four practices. Mulcahy remains sidelined indefinitely by left shoulder injury; Pikiell said he's been cleared to practice but not for contact. I said, What are you talking about? Briski said. Battle made three 3s and Dawson Garcia scored four points during the stretch. With less than two full weeks left in January, he has 16 steals this month, including a season-high four on January eighth. I just started laughing and shaking my head when he told me, he said. cyd9KTt2YXIgZj1kLmdldEVsZW1lbnRzQnlUYWdOYW1lKHMpWzBdLAogICAg I love the fact that I can play him at almost any position while our younger guys are figuring out one position. "I love the fans, such a great atmosphere, a family feel, and I need that," McConnell said. So how did McConnell look? pic . A mistake. VE0tTUY2UFhYQycpOwo8L3NjcmlwdD4KPG5vc2NyaXB0Pgo8aWZyYW1lIGhl INCREDIBLE BLOCK BY @caleb_mcco . "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. 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. Pikiell told McConnell to take his time, but McConnells mind was made up: He was coming back to help this team. to be the Big Tens defensive player of the year. The kids fearless, man. When he reached eighth grade, his parents decided that a permanent move to Dayton to be with his father would be the best path toward a future in basketball. "And since we have such a different dynamic (in terms of personnel fit), I think this is actually a better team.. 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. Leaving his mother, brothers, grandparents and friends was tough, but McConnell was committed to getting better. moving Rutgers name to the next stage of the bracket. Then, you factor in his rebounds and his assists, he does a lot of things for us that equate to winning. He announced his decision with an Instagram video on June 1st "calling Rutgers Nation" from his hometown in Florida. 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. He has been more involved offensively and is taking advantage of his opportunities. The more Briski learned about him, the more there was to like. Rutgers' Clifford Omoruyi blocked Brice Sensbaugh's shot with nine seconds left, and the Scarlet Knights led by three with seven seconds to go. Caleb Mcconnell gets the layup to fall vs. Penn State Nittany Lions. Get a yearly subscription for $99.95/year or $9.95/month. 70413 lego - Der TOP-Favorit unserer Produkttester. McConnell's rebounding average of 5.5 per game is just 0.2 higher than last season. However, his offensive rebounding rate in Big Ten play is 6.8%. 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. Gambling problem? Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. L3d3dy5nb29nbGV0YWdtYW5hZ2VyLmNvbS9ndG0uanM/aWQ9JytpK2RsKycm That has made Rutgers a tough matchup regardless of the opponent. 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. bmV3cyUyRmNhbGViLW1jY29ubmVsbC1yZXR1cm5pbmctdG8tcnV0Z2Vycy1m Hes fearless.. MINNEAPOLIS Jamison Battle hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointerand finished with 20 points as Minnesota beat Rutgers 75-74 on Thursday night to snap a 12-game losing streak. It was a four point swing that swung the game in Rutgers favor. 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. Here is the legendary play by McConnell that might just go down as the highlight of his Rutgers career at least so far. 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. Rutgers is the last team in the NCAA Tournament? cmlwdCc+PC9zY3JpcHQ+CjxkaXYgY2xhc3M9J3ZpZGVvLWNvbnRhaW5lcicg Aaron Breitman. #1. ICAgIGo9ZC5jcmVhdGVFbGVtZW50KHMpLGRsPWwhPSdkYXRhTGF5ZXInPycm To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. With 178 career steals he ties James Bailey.#TheKnighthood pic.twitter.com/z7B2L16nqz, Rutgers Mens Basketball (@RutgersMBB) January 12, 2023. 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. But not until he played two possessions on it, including a cross-court sprint into a contested lay-up. Caleb McConnell made the second of two free throws for Rutgers with 5.8 seconds left before Battle stole the win for the Gophers. Neither do we. Whenever were in the huddle, hes always saying, Ill guard him. Theres a great feeling as a coach knowing that someone wants to accept the challenge of stopping the best player.. 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. He was previously selected to the watchlist last month. We've received your submission. 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. Hes going to go out and play.. Was on the Watch List and a Semifinalist (top 5) for Naismith Defensive Player of the Year. It was just a no-brainer, McConnell said. Kristian Dyer. The kid just was relentless, he recalled. Caleb McConnell made the second of two free throws for Rutgers with 5.8 seconds left before Battle stole the . He was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year last year and has been even better during the 2022-2023 campaign. Thank you to my family for making me the man I am today and supporting me through every up and down. He doesnt want anybody to know something is hurting. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. I have seen the students and the fans at Jersey Mikes Arena create what is now the best home court advantage in all of college basketball. Another look at that block by @caleb_mcco cc @RutgersMBB pic.twitter.com/Tnj4oR0Lci. (Photos courtesy of the McConnell family). 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. 113. 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). bS9jcy5qcyI7CiAgICBlbC5wYXJlbnROb2RlLmluc2VydEJlZm9yZShzLCBl 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! 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. The Jacksonville native has seen his playing time rise and has shown that he can be a veteran leader. I wouldnt say 100 percent, but definitely healthy," McConnell said. Hammond Morton (8-15) vs. Hammond Central (23-1) Munster (23-2) at Lake Central (16-8) CROWN POINT SECT Now he did this all while shooting 39.7% from the floor. Pikiell actually got Sellers his first college coaching job. His senior year in high school, the question about him was, Are you soft? and now, he might be the toughest damn dude in the Big Ten, which might be the toughest conference in the country. I couldnt imagine not having graduated high school and youve already had to adjust a couple of times, missing your family because of something you wanted so bad, something that you believed in so bad for yourself. MUNSTER SECTIONAL. Join us to discuss the action as it happens live! That is the minimum expectation from him across March, when Rutgers will play two more regular-season games . 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 . The sacrifices, the surgery, the waiting were worth it for that moment, McConnell said. It was his way of getting me better. There would be no more fitting award for Caleb McConnell than Defensive Player of the Year in the Big Ten., Pretty damn close to every Big Ten school called about him or came to see him, and no one pulled the trigger. We cant do it without you. McConnell logged more than 10 points during each of his last three games started. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. The McConnell boys split their time between them, attending school in Florida, with summers in Ohio. 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. 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 . Rutgers Wrestling: Coach Scott Goodale gives early lineup preview, Rutgers Football: 5 things to watch during training camp. https://rutgerswire.usatoday.com/2023/01/22/rutgers-caleb-mcconnell-is-having-an-impressive-last-dance/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. McConnell embraced the physicality and the competition, quickly going from the skinny kid everyone wanted guarding them to their first choice when picking teams. I really fell in love with the game, with competing and learning new stuff, McConnell said. March 2, 2022 6:24 am ET. 33: 26: 2:03: Foul on Antwone . Z3RtX2F1dGg9JysnS2hINmhlQ3BvV0pVSG5xVnpkRWE3dycrCiAgICAgICAg b3ItMjAyMi0yMy1zZWFzb24iCiAgfSk7CiAgKGZ1bmN0aW9uKCkgewogICAg Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Of course, he hustled. Freshmen Derek Simpson and Antwone Woolfolk, who will be needed in Big Ten competition, have gotten valuable time and shown growth this month. LmpzcmRuLmNvbS9zL2NzLmpzP3A9MjI1NDYnIHR5cGU9J3RleHQvamF2YXNj 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. As a fourth-year player this past season, McConnell . I have so much love for them, and I wouldnt be where I am without them. They have a 4-3 record against Quad 1 opponents and have won back to back games against ranked foes for the first time since 2008. Dont be surprised of the Blue Devils (0-7) remain on Rutgers schedule going forward. Here is another angle that shows the authority in which McConnell blocked the ball but also that the play was clearly a clean stop. It will be fascinating to see how his hot hand translates to the upcoming spike in competition. 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. Theres not much to be drawn from beating up on an opponent ranked No. Over the last five years, Caleb McConnell has been a steady presence in the Rutgers lineup. Yesterday afternoon, senior guard Caleb McConnell of the Rutgers men's basketball team was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. Eventually, the outdoor courts in Jacksonville and Dayton became his home. 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. 5 takeaways as the standout guard returned from a knee injury Neither do we. 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. 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. Rutgers falls to Minnesota at the buzzer, Scarlet Knights suffer gut-punch. Its great to have him it gives me a lift.. bCk7CiAgfSkoKTsKPC9zY3JpcHQ+Cgo8bm9zY3JpcHQ+CiAgPGltZyBzcmM9 X2Nvb2tpZXNfd2luPXgnIHN0eWxlPSdkaXNwbGF5Om5vbmU7dmlzaWJpbGl0 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. Rutgers guard Caleb McConnell is a contender for the Big Ten's Defender of the Year award. 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. IS. They were wonderful co-parents who remain good friends to this day, but the physical distance between them was tough on their sons. 16 Ohio State (four), No. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. MjI3MzMxNDAiLAogICAgYzc6ICJodHRwczovL3J1dGdlcnMucml2YWxzLmNv 11.3k Followers, 1,244 Following, 71 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Caleb McConnell (@calebmcco) calebmcco. 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. He didnt lay down or come out or anything. He tallied 4 points on 2-of-5 shooting and added four rebounds, three assists and a block. 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. It feels like Ive been through one long fight for years., He announced his decision on Twitter in October. My Rutgers family helped me grow from a unrefined freshman to the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and I thank you all for that from the bottom of my heart!. And there were nagging injuries a bad back, jammed fingers, sore shoulders, bruised ribs along the way. Hes been as good a player as there has been in the conference," Pikiell said. Through six games he's been Rutgers' best all-around player this season. Simply put, it changed the game. 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 . He was finally healthy heading into his junior season, but a month and a half before he was scheduled to return to school, a freak accident in a pickup game left him with two slipped disks in his back. I appreciate the fans being patient with me and cheering me on and having my back.. c3M9J3ZpZGVvLWFkLXdyYXBwZXInPgo8c2NyaXB0IGFzeW5jIHNyYz0nLy9j 71 posts. ", Of the brace, he said, "It doesnt hinder my game. 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 . 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. 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. 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. His work ethic was incredible, Bryant McConnell said. According to a former coach, he is also toughest damn dude in the Big Ten.. Iowa State kicks senior guard off team: 'Said something I Daniel Jones needs to see big picture in Giants negotiations, Red-hot Jon Rahm no match for wind-swept Bay Hill: 'F--king hard', Unprecedented turnaround sets this team up to be MLB's greatest show, The Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast, The Show with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman, Amazin' But True: A NY Mets Baseball Podcast, Gangs All Here: A NY Jets Football Podcast, Kellyanne Conway and George Conway to divorce, Canadian teacher with size-Z prosthetic breasts placed on paid leave. Tomorrow marks the deadline for which McConnell can withdraw from the 2022 NBA Draft and return to . He is one of two seniors named as a semifinalist.
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