I was like, lets just relax and let it come to me.. The Jacksonville native has seen his playing time rise and has shown that he can be a veteran leader. Big Ten and Big East programs that once had shown interest hesitated to take him. If you look at our games, hes taking the best player and cutting their points in half. Climbing RU's all-time leader board forcareer steals. The summer after, he had surgery to repair his hip injuries. 339 in Kenpom, but the Scarlet Knights did make it through an injury-riddled November without taking a Lafayette-type loss. Caleb McConnell UNBREAKABLE Rutgers MBB LLA . All rights reserved (About Us). Please check your email for a confirmation. 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. Caleb McConnell is the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, the only individual award given to a RU player since joining the conference in 2014. Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. In fact, it was a voice from the crowd that helped him shake off some rust. 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 He has also been a rebounds machine of late, with 32 rebounds so far in 2023. 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 is coming off his best season yet, as he is the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of The year. 70413 lego - Der TOP-Favorit unserer Produkttester. 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. Contact him atjcarino@gannettnj.com. 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. Rutgers is the last team in the NCAA Tournament? Caleb McConnell made the second of two free throws for Rutgers with 5.8 seconds left before Battle stole the win for the Gophers. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Made season debut versus CCSUafter missing the five games due to injury (knee), Excelled at Miami with 16 points, six rebounds, four assists in 35 minutes, Posted 16 points, 10 rebounds for double-double in win over No. When he missed eight games to start the 2020-21 season the first missed games of his college career it gnawed at McConnell. 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). In unserem Vergleich haben wir die unterschiedlichsten 70413 lego am Markt unter die Lupe genommen und die wichtigsten Eigenschaften, die Kostenstruktur und die Bewertungen der Kunden abgewogen. 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. Tomorrow marks the deadline for which McConnell can withdraw from the 2022 NBA Draft and return to . Im unbreakable because no matter what happens, Im still going to keep going and overcome all the challenges, all the injuries, all the setbacks, all the doubts. X2Nvb2tpZXNfd2luPXgnIHN0eWxlPSdkaXNwbGF5Om5vbmU7dmlzaWJpbGl0 pic . On Wednesday night, Rutgers mens basketball completed an improbable comeback to knock off No. JAMISON BATTLE WITH A BUZZER BEATER FOR @GopherMBB (via @CBBonFOX) pic.twitter.com/NPEFUfaxDa. Rutgers basketball makes a move down in CBS Sports projections from Jerry Palm. Rutgers basketball makes a move down in CBS Sports projections from Jerry Palm. From the moment McConnell dribbled a ball at a local YMCA, he was hooked. Game speed is different than practice; you cant simulate any type of game speed. 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. 33: 26: 2:03: Foul on Antwone . Get a yearly subscription for $99.95/year or $9.95/month. 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. "Certainly for the first time these guys being on this stage, they were locked in from the beginning," Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell said. 13 Michigan State (four) and No. ESPN's projections for Rutgers basketball and their NCAA Tournament outlook? Of course, he hustled. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. 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. I have so much love for them, and I wouldnt be where I am without them. Yes, Rutgers basketball fans fully grasped the importance of seeing No. Box Score MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The Scarlet Knights took a tough loss in Minneapolis on Thursday night. Through 14 games, the Scarlet Knights senior is averaging a career-high 9.9 points and 3.3 assists per game. Woolfolk, the backup center, tallied 9 points on 4-of-4 shooting and added four boards and two steals. N'Diaye did so in the Big East following the 2009-2010 season and McConnell . They said he was tough to project because he played more than one position. Just played through it until the next dead ball, Briski said. What would they talk about? "We are excited to welcome Caleb McConnell back for one more season," said head coach Steve Pikiell. "And as a competitor, Ive got to rise to the occasion.. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Everyone who follows Rutgers basketball knows that, and you could feel the appreciation in the stands Saturday. It will eventually come off. All it takes is perseverance, keeping my head down and keep going.. cyd9KTt2YXIgZj1kLmdldEVsZW1lbnRzQnlUYWdOYW1lKHMpWzBdLAogICAg Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The Buckeyes still led 64-60 with 2:33 to play when they threw the deep pass from their own baseline coming out of a timeout to find Malaki Branham wide open just past midcourt. "Caleb has been the ultimate ambassador for our program on and off the court. All I wanted to do was play basketball.. McConnell was selfless, a kid who loved basketball and hated to let anyone down. His work ethic was incredible, Bryant McConnell said. 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. 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! 10 Iowa as he recovered from a back injury, Scored 12 points with 3 assists and four rebounds versus Ohio State (Jan. 9), Posted season-highs with 14 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals in win over Minnesota (Feb. 4). North Brunswick, New Jersey. Latest on Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Caleb McConnell including biography, career, awards and more on ESPN News never stops. 0:49. He scored 8 of the final 10 points and finished with a game high 25 points. 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. Last season, McConnell led the Big Ten in steals with 2.2 per game. pic.twitter.com/TI9R6uK2z3. There are no statistics available for this player. Man, it felt good," McConnell said. Eventually, the outdoor courts in Jacksonville and Dayton became his home. The brotherhood, the culture and the friendships we built with each other are going to last forever. My friends would ask what I was doing or to hang out and Id tell them to meet me at the park. VE0tTUY2UFhYQycpOwo8L3NjcmlwdD4KPG5vc2NyaXB0Pgo8aWZyYW1lIGhl His movement looked fine, although he seemed a gear short of his typical explosion. "I love the fans, such a great atmosphere, a family feel, and I need that," McConnell said. Battle's game-winn Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Clifford Omoruyi scored 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Rutgers (18-12, 10-9). Count them out at your own risk. Its a real morale booster to see Caleb on the floor," sophomore guard Jalen Miller said. Season-saving. But quickly, it was like old times two longtime buddies talking through telephones on two sides of the glass. On The Banks Rutgers Athletics Oral History Project. 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. Of course, he was ultimately named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Ive got to yank him out of the gym. Head coach Patrick Sellers and Steve Pikiell were assistants together at Central Connecticut State for two years around the millennium. Through six games he's been Rutgers' best all-around player this season. 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 . As he waited in the prison, Caleb McConnell didnt know what to expect. bCk7CiAgfSkoKTsKPC9zY3JpcHQ+Cgo8bm9zY3JpcHQ+CiAgPGltZyBzcmM9 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 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. Still, McConnells basketball future was cloudy as the end of his senior season approached. #1. McConnell was the star of the historic win, scoring 13 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and playing his trademark defense. It was not a seamless transition. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Slot to Rutgers Scarlet Knights Newsletter. As McConnell has stepped up offensively, he has frustrated opponents on the other end of the court. With less than two full weeks left in January, he has 16 steals this month, including a season-high four on January eighth. Battles game-winning shot capped a 15-4 run in the final 1:15 for Minnesotas only lead of the game. Those three three years of eating, sleeping and breathing basketball turned McConnell into a Division I prospect. ", Of the brace, he said, "It doesnt hinder my game. 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. 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). As expected, rusty. Hes fearless.. He was one of ten that made the cut as a semifinalist last season. "I was just focused on making it down the floor and making the right plays," he explained. 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 . The McConnell boys split their time between them, attending school in Florida, with summers in Ohio. 11.3K followers. 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. Neither took the court Friday for the Scarlet Knights' first test . McConnell's has a decorated resume through 60 career starts . MjI3MzMxNDAiLAogICAgYzc6ICJodHRwczovL3J1dGdlcnMucml2YWxzLmNv He is an unbelievable person and has been one of our best all-around players on both sides of the floor. It was a four point swing that swung the game in Rutgers favor. Dave Briski, head coach at Spire Academy, watched from the stands as McConnell, then a junior at Dunbar High, dominated his opponents. Jacob Young and Caleb McConnell both scored 13 points and Ron Harper Jr. added 10. "Ive been out these last six weeks and had just three or four practices. 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.. The senior guard has dominated low-major foes just like he did at Loyola-Maryland. To see him causing havoc in the Big Ten for the last four years, its just awesome. Hes playing through a partially torn hip labrum and hes working out six times a day. I got to play for my brothers.. Odds & lines subject to change. He was by no means a flashy recruit and was the third-highest recruit out of 4 in Rutgers' 2018 class.. Now, McConnell has recently been crowned the Big . and Caleb McConnell then made one of two for Rutgers. Brian Fonseca may be reached at bfonseca@njadvancemedia.com. "And since we have such a different dynamic (in terms of personnel fit), I think this is actually a better team.. 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. The kids fearless, man. 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. 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. 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!. The freshman had 19 points in the game and was a problem for the Scarlet Knights all night. IHMuYXN5bmMgPSB0cnVlOwogICAgLy8gbG9hZGluZyB0aGUgZXZlcmdyZWVu Hammond Morton (8-15) vs. Hammond Central (23-1) Munster (23-2) at Lake Central (16-8) CROWN POINT SECT Baker was sensational. Latest on Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Caleb McConnell including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN. Tomorrow marks the deadline for which McConnell can withdraw from the 2022 NBA Draft and return to Rutgers for one more season. https://rutgerswire.usatoday.com/2023/01/22/rutgers-caleb-mcconnell-is-having-an-impressive-last-dance/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 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. It would be a fitting award to conclude an arduous college basketball career that few believed was possible. Instead, Geo Baker hit a step back jumper to cut the lead to 64-62 at the two minute mark. Visit ESPN for the play-by-play of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers NCAAM basketball game on 3 March 2023 . I always think in my head, Im unbreakable. I can overcome all those things. 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. 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. It was a Lebron James level type of defensive play. Along with all that, McConnell also racked up a couple of different postseason honors. Hes been as good a player as there has been in the conference," Pikiell said. It was his way of getting me better. In 2018, McConnell was a three-star prospect that was the 73rd-ranked shooting guard in the country. That is the furthest thing from his mind. RU surrendered a 10-point lead with 1:15 remaining on the clock. 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. That aspect of the game has been a mainstay and strength during the Pikiell era as McConnell has personified the type of player that has developed and excelled under the head coach's direction. With 178 career steals he ties James Bailey.#TheKnighthood pic.twitter.com/z7B2L16nqz, Rutgers Mens Basketball (@RutgersMBB) January 12, 2023. bS9ucy5odG1sP2lkPUdUTS1NRjZQWFhDJmFtcDtndG1fYXV0aD1LaEg2aGVD Im proud as hell of what hes accomplished, but I cant say Im surprised, Briski said. 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.. 0:05. He was rewarded with the honor of moving Rutgers name to the next stage of the bracket. Imh0dHBzOi8vc2Iuc2NvcmVjYXJkcmVzZWFyY2guY29tL3A/YzE9MiZjMj03 c3M9J3ZpZGVvLWFkLXdyYXBwZXInPgo8c2NyaXB0IGFzeW5jIHNyYz0nLy9j 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. It was their own fault and the play started with a blown coverage. It was a match made in heaven, Briski said. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 5 takeaways as the standout guard returned from a knee injury He is averaging 6.5 points per game, 5.2 assists and 2.3 rebounds. 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. "Spoke to Steve Pikiell a little bit ago. 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. When the Scarlet Knights opened 7-1, he was dying to join them. 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. 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. Follow. 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. aWdodD0nMCcgc3JjPSdodHRwczovL3d3dy5nb29nbGV0YWdtYW5hZ2VyLmNv The senior guard came through on the defensive end to save the game for Rutgers in the upset of No. Whats next for Rutgers Athletics following the 2021-2022 season? He also drew a charge and dished out a point guard-quality assist. Caleb McConnell is a semifinalist for Naismith Men's Defensive Player of the Year. bmV3cyUyRmNhbGViLW1jY29ubmVsbC1yZXR1cm5pbmctdG8tcnV0Z2Vycy1m Dont be surprised of the Blue Devils (0-7) remain on Rutgers schedule going forward. 25 Ohio State a 67-66 victory over Rutgers on Thursday night. 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.