Had streak of four games of over four+ steals to key wins over No. On The Banks Rutgers Athletics Oral History Project. N'Diaye did so in the Big East following the 2009-2010 season and McConnell . To see him causing havoc in the Big Ten for the last four years, its just awesome. It was a match made in heaven, Briski said. 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. My friends would ask what I was doing or to hang out and Id tell them to meet me at the park. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. When McConnell got to college, his dad finally confessed. The Jacksonville native has seen his playing time rise and has shown that he can be a veteran leader. 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. 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. Hes not soft. The Hurricanes, who made the NCAA Tournaments Elite Eight last season, are 5-1 thus far with a Kenpom ranking of 50 (Rutgers is 34). I was like, lets just relax and let it come to me.. It will be fascinating to see how his hot hand translates to the upcoming spike in competition. Contact him atjcarino@gannettnj.com. Odds & lines subject to change. "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. Laser Tattoo Removal clinics in Taipei City at the best price. Im so grateful to have been blessed with this group of teammates. c3M9J3ZpZGVvLWFkLXdyYXBwZXInPgo8c2NyaXB0IGFzeW5jIHNyYz0nLy9j dy5fZGlkQXN5bmNJbmplY3RHb29nbGVUYWdNYW5hZ2VyID0gdHJ1ZTsKICAg 28,939. 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. Battle made three 3s and Dawson Garcia scored four points during the stretch. Its a real morale booster to see Caleb on the floor," sophomore guard Jalen Miller said. 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. How much had he changed? Caleb Mcconnell gets the layup to fall vs. Penn State Nittany Lions. The caption read: Proverbs 3:5-6. . 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. 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. 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. McConnell isn't the only Scarlet Knight with Dayton roots. "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. 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. 13 Michigan State and No. 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. Led by a dynamic backcourt, Miami owns a 10-point win over Providence and suffered an 18-point loss to Maryland. On Wednesday night, Rutgers mens basketball completed an improbable comeback to knock off No. Assisted by Caleb McConnell. 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. Jacob Young and Caleb McConnell both scored 13 points and Ron Harper Jr. added 10. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The third son of high school sweethearts Bryant McConnell and Stefanie Kerlin, McConnell was 2 years old when his parents split. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Slot to Rutgers Scarlet Knights Newsletter. Rutgers guard Caleb McConnell is down to decision time when it comes to his basketball future. It was a Lebron James level type of defensive play. 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 . "I was just focused on making it down the floor and making the right plays," he explained. 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. Simply put, it changed the game. Theyve been down and out more times than I can count. aWdodD0nMCcgc3JjPSdodHRwczovL3d3dy5nb29nbGV0YWdtYW5hZ2VyLmNv The 2022 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and one of the best players in the conference is back. It feels like Ive been through one long fight for years., He announced his decision on Twitter in October. Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell reacts during Rutgers' loss to Minnesota on March 2. McConnell was selfless, a kid who loved basketball and hated to let anyone down. 22 on the court for the first time this season. MARCH. Afterward, hed put up shots late into the night. Legendarypic.twitter.com/T5jWZ81x4c, Matt Sugam (@MattSugam) February 10, 2022. . Former Rutgers star Jason McCourty joins Good Morning Football following NFL retirement. COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Tanner Holden made a 3-pointer as time expired to give No. Leaving his mother, brothers, grandparents and friends was tough, but McConnell was committed to getting better. UNBREAKABLE.. 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. As a fourth-year player this past season, McConnell . bCk7CiAgfSkoKTsKPC9zY3JpcHQ+Cgo8bm9zY3JpcHQ+CiAgPGltZyBzcmM9 Battle's game-winn He also drew a charge and dished out a point guard-quality assist. 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. Season-saving. 19). Starter at guard in 21 of 31 games played, averaging 6.7 points and 3.7 rebounds with 25 steals, Shot 41.1 percent from the field and team-best 79.2 percent from the free throw line, Against Big Ten competition, averaged 6.6 points and 3.9 rebounds with 13 steals while shooting 80 percent from the free throw line, Scored in double-figures 10 times, leading team in scoring four times, Scored season-high 20 points on 8-8 shooting with a career-high five assists in win at Nebraska (Jan. 3), Had first career double-double with 10 points and career-high 12 rebounds in win over Minnesota (Jan. 19). Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. Are Democrats excited about another Biden run? All it takes is perseverance, keeping my head down and keep going.. 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. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. Nobody wanted him. I got to play for my brothers.. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. --------------------------------------------------------------, Talk about it inside The Round Table Message Board, Talk about it on the Rutgers Hoops Free Message Board, PHNjcmlwdD4KICAoZnVuY3Rpb24odyxkLHMsbCxpKXsKICAgICAgICBpZiAo Aaron Breitman. I always think in my head, Im unbreakable. I can overcome all those things. 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. How do you define wealth and a good life? Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Big Ten; New York City Sports; Rutgers Scarlet Knights; College Sports; Sports aWQ9J2RzX2RlZmF1bHRfYW5jaG9yJz48L2Rpdj4KPC9kaXY+CjwvZGl2PgoK, Certain Data by Sportradar and Stats Perform, PCEtLSBCZWdpbiBjb21TY29yZSBUYWcgLS0+Cgo8c2NyaXB0PgogIHZhciBf 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 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. 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 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. All McConnell needed was a chance, and Rutgers was the one that gave it to him. 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 . Join us to discuss the action as it happens live! It was just a no-brainer, McConnell said. Climbing RU's all-time leader board forcareer steals. When the Scarlet Knights opened 7-1, he was dying to join them. Rutgers men's basketball guard Caleb McConnell was named a semifinalist on Tuesday for the Naismith Men's Defensive Player of the Year. He is the only Big Ten player to make the semifinalist cut. 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. 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. a cross-court sprint into a contested lay-up. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. He returned in January as Rutgers went on a five-game losing streak that put its NCAA Tournament hopes in jeopardy. Thank you to my family for making me the man I am today and supporting me through every up and down. Thanks for contacting us. 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. Theres not much to be drawn from beating up on an opponent ranked No. As he watched practice following his daily rehab sessions, he could see the chemistry and the potential for a historic season. The Scarlet Knights senior being recognized for his elite defensive efforts this . Here is the legendary play by McConnell that might just go down as the highlight of his Rutgers career at least so far. McConnell is one of three foundational veterans in the program, along with Omoruyi and senior point guard Paul Mulcahy. That has made Rutgers a tough matchup regardless of the opponent. dmVyc2lvbgogICAgcy5zcmMgPSAiaHR0cHM6Ly9zLnlpbWcuY29tL2N4L3Z6 bD0nK2w6Jyc7ai5hc3luYz10cnVlO2ouc3JjPQogICAgICAgICdodHRwczov It was not a seamless transition. 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. #1. Rutgers Wrestling: Coach Scott Goodale gives early lineup preview, Rutgers Football: 5 things to watch during training camp. pic.twitter.com/TI9R6uK2z3. That label of this soft, skinny kid, I think it pissed him off, quite frankly.. 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. Kaleb Johnson leaving Rutgers football to join the Florida Gators in the SEC, Antwann Hill Jr. discusses Rutgers football offer and where things stand with Ohio State, Rutgers basketball dominates and somehow loses at Minnesota, CBS Sports Jerry Palm has Rutgers basketball in the First Four. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Neither do we. 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.. Caleb McConnell is coming back for one more year. All rights reserved (About Us). News never stops. Minnesota faces Wisconsin at home on Sunday while Rutgers plays host to Northwestern to wrap up their regular seasons. Man, it felt good," McConnell said. Just played through it until the next dead ball, Briski said. With two steals tonight Caleb McConnell has officially moved into 5th all-time at Rutgers. He announced his decision with an Instagram video on June 1st "calling Rutgers Nation" from his hometown in Florida. We cant do it without you. 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. Scarlet Nation continues to hear things are trending in that direction as McConnell could use an extra year to improve his draft stock. 0:49. Here is the legendary play by McConnell that might just go down as the highlight of his Rutgers career at least so far. Caleb McConnell made the second of two free throws for Rutgers with 5.8 seconds left before Battle stole the win for the Gophers. Thank you to all the coaches and staff for supporting me and helping me evolve into the player and person that I am today. I appreciate the fans being patient with me and cheering me on and having my back.. But quickly, it was like old times two longtime buddies talking through telephones on two sides of the glass. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. What makes McConnell so valuable is how he impacts a game in multiple ways. Bryant returned to his roots in Dayton, Ohio, while Stefanie followed her family to Jacksonville, Fla. He was previously selected to the watchlist last month. 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!. 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. Get a yearly subscription for $99.95/year or $9.95/month. Hes just tough. Hes not going to let anything bother him and hes not going to make any excuses about it. And there were nagging injuries a bad back, jammed fingers, sore shoulders, bruised ribs along the way. 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. The sacrifices, the surgery, the waiting were worth it for that moment, McConnell said. RU surrendered a 10-point lead with 1:15 remaining on the clock. Yesterday afternoon, senior guard Caleb McConnell of the Rutgers men's basketball team was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Here is another angle that shows the authority in which McConnell blocked the ball but also that the play was clearly a clean stop. JAMISON BATTLE WITH A BUZZER BEATER FOR @GopherMBB (via @CBBonFOX) pic.twitter.com/NPEFUfaxDa. 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! It was a four point swing that swung the game in Rutgers favor. 13 Michigan State (four) and No. 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. 113. LmpzcmRuLmNvbS9zL2NzLmpzP3A9MjI1NDYnIHR5cGU9J3RleHQvamF2YXNj Rutgers biggest test of the season is set for Wednesday with a trip to Miami as part of the Big Ten-ACC Challenge. Big Ten Basketball: Rutgers defeats Michigan State, 84-63. cmlwdCc+PC9zY3JpcHQ+CjxkaXYgY2xhc3M9J3ZpZGVvLWNvbnRhaW5lcicg Sitting at 16-12 (10-8 Big Ten), the Scarlet Knights have the potential to book a tournament berth if they split their remaining regular season games and get at least one win in the upcoming Big Ten Tournament. Sign up for the Rutgers Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. 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 . Z3RtX2F1dGg9JysnS2hINmhlQ3BvV0pVSG5xVnpkRWE3dycrCiAgICAgICAg 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. McConnell is coming off his best season yet, as he is the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of The year. Over the last five years, Caleb McConnell has been a steady presence in the Rutgers lineup. Still, McConnells basketball future was cloudy as the end of his senior season approached. Having him on the floor automatically improves Rutgers on both ends, especially when it comes to defense. Support NJ.com, Brian Fonseca | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. He is a ferocious defender on and off the ball. The summer before his freshman season, McConnell recovered from surgery on the broken foot. In fact, it was a voice from the crowd that helped him shake off some rust. The brotherhood, the culture and the friendships we built with each other are going to last forever. McConnell was the kind of prospect they wanted a tough kid with lots of upside who loved basketball. Rutgers falls to Minnesota at the buzzer, Scarlet Knights suffer gut-punch. It was his way of getting me better. 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 INDIANA BOYS BASKETBALL SECTIONAL SEMI-FINAL'S FRIDAY. There are no statistics available for this player. McConnell has posted a 42.0 field percentage after only shooting 39.7 percent from the field last season. Mulcahy remains sidelined indefinitely by left shoulder injury; Pikiell said he's been cleared to practice but not for contact. I just started laughing and shaking my head when he told me, he said. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. 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. Thank you to the fans, the University and all who played a part in providing me this opportunity to play at Rutgers. The senior guard has dominated low-major foes just like he did at Loyola-Maryland. Led Big Ten in steals, setting new career-high in steals with 70 on the season. I have so much love for them, and I wouldnt be where I am without them. VE0tTUY2UFhYQycpOwo8L3NjcmlwdD4KPG5vc2NyaXB0Pgo8aWZyYW1lIGhl ESPN's projections for Rutgers basketball and their NCAA Tournament outlook? Caleb McConnell is a semifinalist for Naismith Men's Defensive Player of the Year. Watching the play several times, it jumps out as symbolic of this season for Rutgers mens basketball. 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. 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. Count them out at your own risk. 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. Rutgers plays at Indiana on Wednesday night, another bubble team in terms of NCAA Tournament projections. 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. McConnell is a tremendous defensive presence, blending natural athleticism with instincts and intelligence. He is rarely the Scarlet Knights top scorer, but he creates scoring chances for himself and his teammates because of his defensive ability. Reigning Big Ten defensive player of the year Caleb McConnell is back and looks to have a huge season for the Scarlet Knights. Rutgers basketball has seen a slide in the latest analytics updates from KenPom. I just love being outside, playing outside, playing at the park all day. PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The 2021-22 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year is closer to receiving national recognition in 2023. Senior Caleb McConnell was the first Rutgers player since Hamady N'Diaye to win a Defensive Player of the Year Award. They were wonderful co-parents who remain good friends to this day, but the physical distance between them was tough on their sons. In 2018, McConnell was a three-star prospect that was the 73rd-ranked shooting guard in the country. The more Briski learned about him, the more there was to like. Despite the bumps and bruises, McConnell progressed from a freshman reserve who displayed occasional glimpses of his potential to a sophomore starter. The Jacksonville native has seen his playing time rise and has shown that he can be a veteran leader. Right now its there for some stability.. Y29tc2NvcmUgPSBfY29tc2NvcmUgfHwgW107CiAgX2NvbXNjb3JlLnB1c2go He scored 8 of the final 10 points and finished with a game high 25 points. 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.