Big Ten; New York City Sports; Rutgers Scarlet Knights; College Sports; Sports What would they talk about? A mistake. Rutgers biggest test of the season is set for Wednesday with a trip to Miami as part of the Big Ten-ACC Challenge. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Now he did this all while shooting 39.7% from the floor. Leaving his mother, brothers, grandparents and friends was tough, but McConnell was committed to getting better. I feel like little stuff like that made me a bit tougher and have some more grit.. 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.. Verified. --------------------------------------------------------------, Talk about it inside The Round Table Message Board, Talk about it on the Rutgers Hoops Free Message Board, PHNjcmlwdD4KICAoZnVuY3Rpb24odyxkLHMsbCxpKXsKICAgICAgICBpZiAo Neither do we. Having him on the floor automatically improves Rutgers on both ends, especially when it comes to defense. His level of compete was one of the highest Ive ever seen at that age. Over the last five years, Caleb McConnell has been a steady presence in the Rutgers lineup. Those three three years of eating, sleeping and breathing basketball turned McConnell into a Division I prospect. January 22, 2023 7:47 pm ET. Around the Big Ten: Where does Mike DeCourcy have the Big Ten teams in the NCAA Tournament? All it takes is perseverance, keeping my head down and keep going.. 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. That was until McConnell made up incredible ground and delivered as memorable a block as I can remember for this program. #1. "We are excited to welcome Caleb McConnell back for one more season," said head coach Steve Pikiell. The kids a dog.. GET TKR PREMIUM FREE FOR 30 DAYS CLICK HERE FOR MORE. 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. His impact in many games isnt necessarily fully reflected in the box score. According to a former coach, he is also toughest damn dude in the Big Ten.. The Scarlet Knights senior being recognized for his elite defensive efforts this season. After school, hed practice and play with his Dunbar High School team. Please update it here. He scored 8 of the final 10 points and finished with a game high 25 points. With two steals tonight Caleb McConnell has officially moved into 5th all-time at Rutgers. 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. 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 . 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. 13 Michigan State (four) and No. 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. Hes just tough. Caleb McConnell UNBREAKABLE Rutgers MBB LLA . d2luZG93Ll9kaWRBc3luY0luamVjdEdvb2dsZVRhZ01hbmFnZXIpIHJldHVy 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. The play also sent the RAC faithful into a frenzy the rest of the way that helped propel this team to victory. He did that every day. 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. 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. The more Briski learned about him, the more there was to like. 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. I think hes the best and the most versatile defender in the league, Pikiell said. . From top to bottom I think were good," McConnell said when asked to compare it to last year's NCAA qualifier. pic.twitter.com/TI9R6uK2z3. But not until he played two possessions on it, including a cross-court sprint into a contested lay-up. 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. It will be fascinating to see how his hot hand translates to the upcoming spike in competition. From the moment McConnell dribbled a ball at a local YMCA, he was hooked. I appreciate the fans being patient with me and cheering me on and having my back.. aWQ9J2RzX2RlZmF1bHRfYW5jaG9yJz48L2Rpdj4KPC9kaXY+CjwvZGl2PgoK, Certain Data by Sportradar and Stats Perform, PCEtLSBCZWdpbiBjb21TY29yZSBUYWcgLS0+Cgo8c2NyaXB0PgogIHZhciBf 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. 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. 16 Ohio State, Had key chase-down block on breakaway layup attempt to spark 10-0 run to close out win over No. Caleb McConnell began playing basketball around eight years old, and his passion for the game has led him to plenty of success. 11.3k Followers, 1,244 Following, 71 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Caleb McConnell (@calebmcco) calebmcco. L3d3dy5nb29nbGV0YWdtYW5hZ2VyLmNvbS9ndG0uanM/aWQ9JytpK2RsKycm 113. 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. He is one of two seniors named as a semifinalist. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 12 Illinois (four). Rutgers Wrestling Prepares for Big Ten Conference Tournament this Weekend. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Slot to Rutgers Scarlet Knights Newsletter. Not too bad. He is averaging 6.5 points per game, 5.2 assists and 2.3 rebounds. On The Banks Rutgers Athletics Oral History Project. All rights reserved (About Us). I wouldnt say 100 percent, but definitely healthy," McConnell said. IHZlcnNpb24gb2YgY3MuanMgc28gd2UgYWx3YXlzIGhhdmUgdGhlIGxhc3Qg The Scarlet Knights are now 14-9 overall and 8-5 in Big Ten play. 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. 70413 lego - Der TOP-Favorit unserer Produkttester. Through 14 games, the Scarlet Knights senior is averaging a career-high 9.9 points and 3.3 assists per game. That has made Rutgers a tough matchup regardless of the opponent. Contact him atjcarino@gannettnj.com. bD0nK2w6Jyc7ai5hc3luYz10cnVlO2ouc3JjPQogICAgICAgICdodHRwczov 11.3K followers. 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. 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. He also drew a charge and dished out a point guard-quality assist. McConnell, teary-eyed and frustrated when he lost, often talked about quitting, but his dad would not let him. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Men's Basketball Simply put, it changed the game. "Caleb has been the ultimate ambassador for our program on and off the court. 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 battled through countless injuries and college coaches who doubted him a skinny high school player many believed was too soft for high-major hoops. With two games left in the regular season, Rutgers very much controls their NCAA Tournament destiny. It feels like Ive been through one long fight for years., He announced his decision on Twitter in October. "Hes got to get his timing back, but he causes major disruptions. I just started laughing and shaking my head when he told me, he said. 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. Legendarypic.twitter.com/T5jWZ81x4c, Matt Sugam (@MattSugam) February 10, 2022. ", Of the brace, he said, "It doesnt hinder my game. 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. Baker scored the final five points for Rutgers after the Scarlet Knights built an 11-point lead and nearly gave it all away. cG9XSlVIbnFWemRFYTd3JmFtcDtndG1fcHJldmlldz1lbnYtMSZhbXA7Z3Rt The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Golden Gophers forward Jameson Battle hit a game-winning buzzer-beater as the horn sounded to give Minnesota the 75-74 victory. The best insights from the ultimate insiders, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. Kristian Dyer. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. The McConnell boys split their time between them, attending school in Florida, with summers in Ohio. 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. I was like, You know, hes right. I heard it from the crowd. To see him causing havoc in the Big Ten for the last four years, its just awesome. 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. 13 Michigan State and No. Yesterday afternoon, senior guard Caleb McConnell of the Rutgers men's basketball team was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. The Scarlet Knights close out the regular season on the weekend at home against Penn State. ICAgfSkod2luZG93LGRvY3VtZW50LCdzY3JpcHQnLCdkYXRhTGF5ZXInLCdH North Brunswick, New Jersey. 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. They were wonderful co-parents who remain good friends to this day, but the physical distance between them was tough on their sons. 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. As McConnell has stepped up offensively, he has frustrated opponents on the other end of the court. Whats next for Rutgers Athletics following the 2021-2022 season? "It was a tough six weeks for me. During the 2022-203 campaign, Rutgers has been one of the best teams in the Big Ten, as McConnell has continued to improve . Latest on Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Caleb McConnell including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN. Box Score MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The Scarlet Knights took a tough loss in Minneapolis on Thursday night. What makes McConnell so valuable is how he impacts a game in multiple ways. McConnell made the heroic play with four fouls and put himself on the line physically as well to make the game saving block. The Scarlet Knights will have to work to earn a bid to the tournament. 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. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. 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. My friends would ask what I was doing or to hang out and Id tell them to meet me at the park. 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. UNCASVILLE, Conn. - Between them, Caleb McConnell and Paul Mulcahy have played 208 games for Rutgers basketball. Please check your email for a confirmation. The Rutgers guard overcame a childhood that hopscotched from Florida to Ohio and eventually left him living on his own to pursue his dream. Tomorrow marks the deadline for which McConnell can withdraw from the 2022 NBA Draft and return to Rutgers for one more season. He returned in January as Rutgers went on a five-game losing streak that put its NCAA Tournament hopes in jeopardy. How do you survive in here? McConnell asked. UNBREAKABLE.. Hell go down as one of the great winners that weve had here, Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell said. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. ICAgIGo9ZC5jcmVhdGVFbGVtZW50KHMpLGRsPWwhPSdkYXRhTGF5ZXInPycm I really fell in love with the game, with competing and learning new stuff, McConnell said. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. 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. 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. Rutgers was carried by a stellar night from senior . He is an Associated Press Top 25 voter. In a vintage sequence, he tracked down a loose ball under Central Connecticuts hoop and fed an Omoruyi dunk with a behind-the-back pass. aWdodD0nMCcgc3JjPSdodHRwczovL3d3dy5nb29nbGV0YWdtYW5hZ2VyLmNv At least one Big East coach, to Briskis amazement, said he was soft. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. 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. Man, it felt good," McConnell said. It was a Lebron James level type of defensive play. c191Y2ZyPTAiIC8+Cjwvbm9zY3JpcHQ+CjwhLS0gRW5kIGNvbVNjb3JlIFRh Hes playing through a partially torn hip labrum and hes working out six times a day. 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 Recruiting: Will Scarlet Knights make surprise push for Bronny James? JyZndG1fcHJldmlldz0nKydlbnYtMScrJyZndG1fY29va2llc193aW49eCc7 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. Head coach Patrick Sellers and Steve Pikiell were assistants together at Central Connecticut State for two years around the millennium. Its about me finding the right time and my spots in the game, Miller said. 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. McConnell made his official visit to Rutgers in the spring and by the end of the weekend, he was a Scarlet Knight. All rights reserved (About Us). So how did McConnell look? Sign up for the Rutgers Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Hes going to go out and play.. 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. He was a dogged worker, the rare player Briski had to ask to spend less time in the gym. X2Nvb2tpZXNfd2luPXgnIHN0eWxlPSdkaXNwbGF5Om5vbmU7dmlzaWJpbGl0 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. Yes, Rutgers basketball fans fully grasped the importance of seeing No. As a fourth-year player this past season, McConnell . Former Rutgers star Jason McCourty joins Good Morning Football following NFL retirement. Reigning Big Ten defensive player of the year Caleb McConnell is back and looks to have a huge season for the Scarlet Knights. After tearful conversations with his father and Pikiell, McConnell elected to have surgery, take a medical redshirt and miss an entire basketball season for the first time in his life. He was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of The Year, one of 10 players as a semi-finalists for the Naismith Defensive Player of The Year award and was also earned Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors. I have so much love for them, and I wouldnt be where I am without them. Today, the word is tattooed across his stomach in bold, black letters. Not too bad. Big Ten Basketball: Rutgers defeats Michigan State, 84-63. Over the last five years, Caleb McConnell has been a steady presence in the Rutgers lineup. Caleb McConnell made the second of two free throws for Rutgers with 5.8 seconds left before Battle stole the win for the Gophers. Garcia added 19 points and Pharrel Payne had 15 for Minnesota (8-20, 2-16 Big Ten), which shot 54 percent (15 of 28) in the second half and made 11 of 24 3-pointers overall. 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.. "Ive been out these last six weeks and had just three or four practices.