"It felt good to be back out there with my teammates, my brothers, and hear the crowd cheering.. Hes always got something lingering, but just doesnt care. McConnell's has a decorated resume through 60 career starts . Whats next for Rutgers Athletics following the 2021-2022 season? We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Battle was 7 of 15 from the floor and 6-of-13 shooting from long range. He also drew a charge and dished out a point guard-quality assist. 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. So how did McConnell look? The Rutgers guard is averaging a career-high 2.4 steals a game. Its a real morale booster to see Caleb on the floor," sophomore guard Jalen Miller said. Rutgers guard Caleb McConnell is a contender for the Big Ten's Defender of the Year award. bjsKICAgICAgICB3W2xdPXdbbF18fFtdO3dbbF0ucHVzaCh7J2d0bS5zdGFy McConnell is coming off his best season yet, as he is the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of The year. Battle made three 3s and Dawson Garcia scored four points during the stretch. A mistake. 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. On Wednesday night, Rutgers mens basketball completed an improbable comeback to knock off No. Please check your email for a confirmation. Caleb McConnell made the second of two free throws for Rutgers with 5.8 seconds left before Battle stole the win for the Gophers. 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. Count them out at your own risk. They said he was tough to project because he played more than one position. McConnell was selfless, a kid who loved basketball and hated to let anyone down. Then, you factor in his rebounds and his assists, he does a lot of things for us that equate to winning. Assisted by Caleb McConnell. 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. I wouldnt say 100 percent, but definitely healthy," McConnell said. Rutgers Wrestling Prepares for Big Ten Conference Tournament this Weekend. Caleb McConnell is coming back for one more year. It will be fascinating to see how his hot hand translates to the upcoming spike in competition. 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 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. McConnell is coming off his best season yet, as he is the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of The year. and Caleb McConnell then made one of two for Rutgers. Just played through it until the next dead ball, Briski said. Caleb McConnell began playing basketball around eight years old, and his passion for the game has led him to plenty of success. https://rutgerswire.usatoday.com/2023/01/22/rutgers-caleb-mcconnell-is-having-an-impressive-last-dance/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Box Score MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The Scarlet Knights took a tough loss in Minneapolis on Thursday night. Man, it felt good," McConnell said. The summer after, he had surgery to repair his hip injuries. Sophomore guard Jalen Miller has been a defensive specialist to this point, but he broke out on the offensive end Saturday, scoring a career-high six points on 2-3 shooting to go with three rebounds. McConnell isn't the only Scarlet Knight with Dayton roots. Clifford Omoruyi scored 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Rutgers (18-12, 10-9). And yet, just like this team over the past month, McConnell fought back in the play and came through in the end. College players have until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday to withdraw from the 2022 NBA Draft and retain their college eligibility. They were wonderful co-parents who remain good friends to this day, but the physical distance between them was tough on their sons. It was not a seamless transition. Hes not going to let anything bother him and hes not going to make any excuses about it. Hes going to go out and play.. aWQ9J2RzX2RlZmF1bHRfYW5jaG9yJz48L2Rpdj4KPC9kaXY+CjwvZGl2PgoK, Certain Data by Sportradar and Stats Perform, PCEtLSBCZWdpbiBjb21TY29yZSBUYWcgLS0+Cgo8c2NyaXB0PgogIHZhciBf Zi5wYXJlbnROb2RlLmluc2VydEJlZm9yZShqLGYpOwogICAgICAgIHdpbmRv We cant do it without you. 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. 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. PSBkb2N1bWVudC5nZXRFbGVtZW50c0J5VGFnTmFtZSgic2NyaXB0IilbMF07 #1. Rutgers basketball makes a move down in CBS Sports projections from Jerry Palm. His work ethic was incredible, Bryant McConnell said. From top to bottom I think were good," McConnell said when asked to compare it to last year's NCAA qualifier. 0:49. Sign up for the Rutgers Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. 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. "And as a competitor, Ive got to rise to the occasion.. I got to play for my brothers.. Laser Tattoo Removal clinics in Taipei City at the best price. Pikiell told McConnell to take his time, but McConnells mind was made up: He was coming back to help this team. Odds & lines subject to change. It was a Lebron James level type of defensive play. I feel like little stuff like that made me a bit tougher and have some more grit.. 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. 5 takeaways as the standout guard returned from a knee injury A three-star recruit, he had nowhere to go. But quickly, it was like old times two longtime buddies talking through telephones on two sides of the glass. Those three three years of eating, sleeping and breathing basketball turned McConnell into a Division I prospect. 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. LmpzcmRuLmNvbS9zL2NzLmpzP3A9MjI1NDYnIHR5cGU9J3RleHQvamF2YXNj pic . 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. Baker was sensational. cyd9KTt2YXIgZj1kLmdldEVsZW1lbnRzQnlUYWdOYW1lKHMpWzBdLAogICAg Last year, McConnell averaged 7.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists . He was previously selected to the watchlist last month. Hammond Morton (8-15) vs. Hammond Central (23-1) Munster (23-2) at Lake Central (16-8) CROWN POINT SECT He kept going at dudes. Caleb McConnell is a semifinalist for Naismith Men's Defensive Player of the Year. Caleb Mcconnell gets the layup to fall vs. Penn State Nittany Lions. ESPN's projections for Rutgers basketball and their NCAA Tournament outlook? 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. 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. "Spoke to Steve Pikiell a little bit ago. 9 recruit in Ohio by 247Sports.com, Averaged 13.9 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists as a junior at Dayton (Ohio) Dunbar High before transferring to SPIRE, A 2016-2017 Associated Press Southwest All-District II honoree, Competed on the AAU circuit for C2K Elite, Son of Bryant McConnell and Stefanie Meade, Signed with Scarlet Knights over reported offers from West Virginia, Wichita State, UMass, St. Bonaventure, Temple, Missouri State, Wright State, Akron and Kent State. Of course, he hustled. Credit Solution Experts Incorporated offers quality business credit building services, which includes an easy step-by-step system designed for helping clients build their business credit effortlessly. Season-saving. McConnell would bring veteran leadership back to the team and he was also named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year last season. Today, the word is tattooed across his stomach in bold, black letters. He did that every day. We've received your submission. "And since we have such a different dynamic (in terms of personnel fit), I think this is actually a better team.. 1,244 following. Caleb McConnell made the second of two free throws for Rutgers with 5.8 seconds left before Battle stole the . Nobody wanted him. In his final year as a Scarlet Knight, McConnell is having an unforgettable last dance and helping Rutgers earn national headlines. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. 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!. Thank you to the fans, the University and all who played a part in providing me this opportunity to play at Rutgers. 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. 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. Coaches and scouts said he was too skinny, which meant he would get pushed around by bigger players. ICAgIGo9ZC5jcmVhdGVFbGVtZW50KHMpLGRsPWwhPSdkYXRhTGF5ZXInPycm Of course, he was ultimately named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. At least one Big East coach, to Briskis amazement, said he was soft. Another look at that block by @caleb_mcco cc @RutgersMBB pic.twitter.com/Tnj4oR0Lci. The Jacksonville native has seen his playing time rise and has shown that he can be a veteran leader. The best insights from the ultimate insiders, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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 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. 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. 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. 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. 13 Michigan State (four) and 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. McConnell is a tremendous defensive presence, blending natural athleticism with instincts and intelligence. It will eventually come off. 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 16 Ohio State, Had key chase-down block on breakaway layup attempt to spark 10-0 run to close out win over No. Legendarypic.twitter.com/T5jWZ81x4c, Matt Sugam (@MattSugam) February 10, 2022. b3ItMjAyMi0yMy1zZWFzb24iCiAgfSk7CiAgKGZ1bmN0aW9uKCkgewogICAg As a fourth-year player this past season, McConnell averaged 7.1 points per game, 5.3 rebounds per game, 2.1 assists per game and 2.2 steals per game, all of which were considered career highs for him. No Rutgers fans, the chase down block by Caleb McConnell was not a dreamGame-saving. His back slowly started to heal, allowing him to participate in practice on the scout team. 339 in Kenpom, but the Scarlet Knights did make it through an injury-riddled November without taking a Lafayette-type loss. He is the only Big Ten player to make the semifinalist cut. Led Big Ten in steals, setting new career-high in steals with 70 on the season. He was one of ten that made the cut as a semifinalist last season. 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. I just love being outside, playing outside, playing at the park all day. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. 28,939. As he waited in the prison, Caleb McConnell didnt know what to expect. Thats another thing he had to be strong for, his mother said. bCk7CiAgfSkoKTsKPC9zY3JpcHQ+Cgo8bm9zY3JpcHQ+CiAgPGltZyBzcmM9 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. 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). aWdodD0nMCcgc3JjPSdodHRwczovL3d3dy5nb29nbGV0YWdtYW5hZ2VyLmNv I just started laughing and shaking my head when he told me, he said. Here is the legendary play by McConnell that might just go down as the highlight of his Rutgers career at least so far. 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. If you look at our games, hes taking the best player and cutting their points in half. 13 Michigan State and No. Neither do we. bS9ucy5odG1sP2lkPUdUTS1NRjZQWFhDJmFtcDtndG1fYXV0aD1LaEg2aGVD March 2, 2022 6:24 am ET. 33: 26: 2:03: Foul on Antwone . Rutgers basketball makes a move down in CBS Sports projections from Jerry Palm. He scored just 4 points, but had 4 rebounds, 4 steals and the all-important blocked shot. dy5fZGlkQXN5bmNJbmplY3RHb29nbGVUYWdNYW5hZ2VyID0gdHJ1ZTsKICAg 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 . He returned in January as Rutgers went on a five-game losing streak that put its NCAA Tournament hopes in jeopardy. That has made Rutgers a tough matchup regardless of the opponent. dCc6CiAgICAgICAgbmV3IERhdGUoKS5nZXRUaW1lKCksZXZlbnQ6J2d0bS5q He doesnt want anybody to know something is hurting. Join us to discuss the action as it happens live! 22 on the court for the first time this season. Latest on Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Caleb McConnell including biography, career, awards and more on ESPN Rutgers Recruiting: Will Scarlet Knights make surprise push for Bronny James? He is rarely the Scarlet Knights top scorer, but he creates scoring chances for himself and his teammates because of his defensive ability. Caleb McConnell UNBREAKABLE Rutgers MBB LLA . With McConnell's return, Rutgers Basketball now has two open scholarships remaining. Now he did this all while shooting 39.7% from the floor. b3ItMjAyMi0yMy1zZWFzb24mYzU9MjAyMjczMzE0MCZjdj0yLjAmY2o9MSZj We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. (Photos courtesy of the McConnell family). 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.