A three-star recruit, he had nowhere to go. Please check your email for a confirmation. I was like, lets just relax and let it come to me.. Rutgers falls to Minnesota at the buzzer, Scarlet Knights suffer gut-punch. Senior Caleb McConnell was the first Rutgers player since Hamady N'Diaye to win a Defensive Player of the Year Award. McConnell is coming off his best season yet, as he is the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of The year. 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 . McConnell made the heroic play with four fouls and put himself on the line physically as well to make the game saving block. aWdodD0nMCcgc3JjPSdodHRwczovL3d3dy5nb29nbGV0YWdtYW5hZ2VyLmNv After watching his son dominate players his age in one-on-one games, Bryant McConnell paid older kids to go all out against his son on the court. Rutgers basketball makes a move down in CBS Sports projections from Jerry Palm. 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. So how did McConnell look? eTpoaWRkZW4nIHdpZHRoPScwJz48L2lmcmFtZT4KPC9ub3NjcmlwdD4KCgo=, PGRpdiBjbGFzcz0ncmEtY29udGFpbmVyIGRpc3Ryb19hZCc+CjxkaXYgY2xh 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. He is an Associated Press Top 25 voter. 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. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. Not too bad. 13 Michigan State and No. The Scarlet Knights close out the regular season on the weekend at home against Penn State. "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 Wrestling Prepares for Big Ten Conference Tournament this Weekend. 16 Ohio State, Had key chase-down block on breakaway layup attempt to spark 10-0 run to close out win over No. On Thursday, Caleb McConnell was one of 15 players named to the 2023 Naismith National Defensive Player of the Year Watchlist. 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. 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. Another look at that block by @caleb_mcco cc @RutgersMBB pic.twitter.com/Tnj4oR0Lci. He is averaging 6.5 points per game, 5.2 assists and 2.3 rebounds. Rutgers guard Caleb McConnell is a contender for the Big Ten's Defender of the Year award. He is the only Big Ten player to make the semifinalist cut. Rutgers Wrestling: Coach Scott Goodale gives early lineup preview, Rutgers Football: 5 things to watch during training camp. The Jacksonville native has seen his playing time rise and has shown that he can be a veteran leader. Minnesota faces Wisconsin at home on Sunday while Rutgers plays host to Northwestern to wrap up their regular seasons. I have so much love for them, and I wouldnt be where I am without them. Rutgers Recruiting: Will Scarlet Knights make surprise push for Bronny James? Rutgers' Clifford Omoruyi blocked Brice Sensbaugh's shot with nine seconds left, and the Scarlet Knights led by three with seven seconds to go. 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. The latest stats, facts, news and notes on Caleb McConnell of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 19). Sign up for the Rutgers Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Hes always got something lingering, but just doesnt care. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. . 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. ewogICAgYzE6ICIyIiwKICAgIGMyOiAiNzI0MTQ2OSIsCiAgICBjNTogIjIw Hes been as good a player as there has been in the conference," Pikiell said. Yesterday afternoon, senior guard Caleb McConnell of the Rutgers men's basketball team was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. JyZndG1fcHJldmlldz0nKydlbnYtMScrJyZndG1fY29va2llc193aW49eCc7 I got to play for my brothers.. All rights reserved (About Us). Thank you to my family for making me the man I am today and supporting me through every up and down. N'Diaye did so in the Big East following the 2009-2010 season and McConnell . That is the minimum expectation from him across March, when Rutgers will play two more regular-season games . Latest on Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Caleb McConnell including biography, career, awards and more on ESPN Please update it here. 13 Wisconsin (six) and No. Aaron Breitman. Afterward, hed put up shots late into the night. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Slot to Rutgers Scarlet Knights Newsletter. ", Of the brace, he said, "It doesnt hinder my game. They were wonderful co-parents who remain good friends to this day, but the physical distance between them was tough on their sons. Rutgers guard Caleb McConnell is down to decision time when it comes to his basketball future. "Ive been out these last six weeks and had just three or four practices. JAMISON BATTLE WITH A BUZZER BEATER FOR @GopherMBB (via @CBBonFOX) pic.twitter.com/NPEFUfaxDa. Man, it felt good," McConnell said. 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. The best insights from the ultimate insiders, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved. With two steals tonight Caleb McConnell has officially moved into 5th all-time at Rutgers. Battle made three 3s and Dawson Garcia scored four points during the stretch. When Spire Academy, an elite sports performance training and education program in Geneva, Ohio, offered McConnell a chance to transfer there for his senior season, it meant living on his own for the first time 200 miles from his dad and 900 miles from his mom. Written off, lost and bewildered. As a fourth-year player this past season, McConnell . 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). Mulcahy remains sidelined indefinitely by left shoulder injury; Pikiell said he's been cleared to practice but not for contact. Im so grateful to have been blessed with this group of teammates. 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. Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell reacts during Rutgers' loss to Minnesota on March 2. March 2, 2022 6:24 am ET. Scarlet Nation continues to hear things are trending in that direction as McConnell could use an extra year to improve his draft stock. 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. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. PSBkb2N1bWVudC5nZXRFbGVtZW50c0J5VGFnTmFtZSgic2NyaXB0IilbMF07 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 . The Rutgers guard is averaging a career-high 2.4 steals a game. bCk7CiAgfSkoKTsKPC9zY3JpcHQ+Cgo8bm9zY3JpcHQ+CiAgPGltZyBzcmM9 The third son of high school sweethearts Bryant McConnell and Stefanie Kerlin, McConnell was 2 years old when his parents split. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. 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. The Scarlet Knights senior being recognized for his elite defensive efforts this . He was rewarded with the honor of moving Rutgers name to the next stage of the bracket. 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.. MARCH. dCc6CiAgICAgICAgbmV3IERhdGUoKS5nZXRUaW1lKCksZXZlbnQ6J2d0bS5q Caleb has given up so much because he believes what hell achieve in the end.. Big Ten; New York City Sports; Rutgers Scarlet Knights; College Sports; Sports 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. The Scarlet Knights senior being recognized for his elite defensive efforts this season. Caleb McConnell UNBREAKABLE Rutgers MBB LLA . Tomorrow marks the deadline for which McConnell can withdraw from the 2022 NBA Draft and return to Rutgers for one more season. Hammond Morton (8-15) vs. Hammond Central (23-1) Munster (23-2) at Lake Central (16-8) CROWN POINT SECT Big Ten and Big East programs that once had shown interest hesitated to take him. 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. I really fell in love with the game, with competing and learning new stuff, McConnell said. Caleb Mcconnell gets the layup to fall vs. Penn State Nittany Lions. Chris Corso, A post shared by Rutgers Basketball (@rutgersmbb). Tomorrow marks the deadline for which McConnell can withdraw from the 2022 NBA Draft and return to . bS9uZXdzL2NhbGViLW1jY29ubmVsbC1yZXR1cm5pbmctdG8tcnV0Z2Vycy1m 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. bS9jcy5qcyI7CiAgICBlbC5wYXJlbnROb2RlLmluc2VydEJlZm9yZShzLCBl Was on the Watch List and a Semifinalist (top 5) for Naismith Defensive Player of the Year. 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. The senior guard has dominated low-major foes just like he did at Loyola-Maryland. Pikiell actually got Sellers his first college coaching job. 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. That is the furthest thing from his mind. Caleb McConnell made the second of two free throws for Rutgers with 5.8 seconds left before Battle stole the win for the Gophers. In 2018, McConnell was a three-star prospect that was the 73rd-ranked shooting guard in the country. cmlwdCc+PC9zY3JpcHQ+CjxkaXYgY2xhc3M9J3ZpZGVvLWNvbnRhaW5lcicg MjQxNDY5JmM3PWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGcnV0Z2Vycy5yaXZhbHMuY29tJTJG How do you survive in here? McConnell asked. The kids fearless, man. c3M9J3ZpZGVvLWFkLXdyYXBwZXInPgo8c2NyaXB0IGFzeW5jIHNyYz0nLy9j Rutgers' Geo Baker, left, Ron Harper Jr., middle, and Caleb McConnell walk off the court after the team's loss to Notre Dame in a First Four game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament . A mistake. 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. 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. Jun 01
When the Scarlet Knights opened 7-1, he was dying to join them. 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. Rutgers biggest test of the season is set for Wednesday with a trip to Miami as part of the Big Ten-ACC Challenge. He has been more involved offensively and is taking advantage of his opportunities. Theres not much to be drawn from beating up on an opponent ranked No. IS. 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. Its about me finding the right time and my spots in the game, Miller said. The more Briski learned about him, the more there was to like. He has 2.3 assists a game. Cam Spencer (18 points on 6-8 shooting, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals) looks fully in the flow of Rutgers schemes. 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. Despite the bumps and bruises, McConnell progressed from a freshman reserve who displayed occasional glimpses of his potential to a sophomore starter. Of course, he was ultimately named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. That roar became an eruption a minute later, when McConnell converted his first touch into a bucket an eight-foot running floater from the baseline. He was one of ten that made the cut as a semifinalist last season. His back slowly started to heal, allowing him to participate in practice on the scout team. He kept going at dudes. It will be the final home game of fifth-year senior Caleb McConnells career as he runs out of collegiate eligibility after this season. b3ItMjAyMi0yMy1zZWFzb24iCiAgfSk7CiAgKGZ1bmN0aW9uKCkgewogICAg (Photos courtesy of the McConnell family). 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. Now he did this all while shooting 39.7% from the floor. As Rutgers looks to make a tournament run, McConnell will be critical. What would they talk about? 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. It will be fascinating to see how his hot hand translates to the upcoming spike in competition. Here is another angle that shows the authority in which McConnell blocked the ball but also that the play was clearly a clean stop. That was until McConnell made up incredible ground and delivered as memorable a block as I can remember for this program. 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. 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.. Freshmen Derek Simpson and Antwone Woolfolk, who will be needed in Big Ten competition, have gotten valuable time and shown growth this month. Even by Rutgers basketball's historically painful standards, Thursday's loss at Minnesota ranks among the most infamous. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Here is the legendary play by McConnell that might just go down as the highlight of his Rutgers career at least so far. 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 ESPN's projections for Rutgers basketball and their NCAA Tournament outlook? Climbing RU's all-time leader board forcareer steals. He woke his dad at 6 a.m. every morning for rides to workouts with a personal trainer. Rutgers was carried by a stellar night from senior . 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. 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. Rutgers basketball has seen a slide in the latest analytics updates from KenPom. His father, a former college athlete and a decent playground hoops player in his own right, often joined his son and rarely went easy on him. Your account has an invalid email address. As expected, rusty. Golden Gophers forward Jameson Battle hit a game-winning buzzer-beater as the horn sounded to give Minnesota the 75-74 victory. 16 Ohio State (four), No. The freshman had 19 points in the game and was a problem for the Scarlet Knights all night. Eventually, the outdoor courts in Jacksonville and Dayton became his home. North Brunswick, New Jersey. We miss having you out there. 71 posts. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Kristian Dyer. 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. Caleb McConnell began playing basketball around eight years old, and his passion for the game has led him to plenty of success. Through six games he's been Rutgers' best all-around player this season. 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. Support NJ.com, Brian Fonseca | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, across his stomach in bold, black letters. His level of compete was one of the highest Ive ever seen at that age. 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. pic . d2luZG93Ll9kaWRBc3luY0luamVjdEdvb2dsZVRhZ01hbmFnZXIpIHJldHVy All McConnell needed was a chance, and Rutgers was the one that gave it to him. 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. McConnell isn't the only Scarlet Knight with Dayton roots. Assisted by Caleb McConnell. 70413 lego - Der TOP-Favorit unserer Produkttester. 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. As this team proved once again highlighted by the block from the rafters by Caleb McConnell, Rutgers is very much alive as the calendar turns to mid-February. 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. All rights reserved (About Us). Follow. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The summer after, he had surgery to repair his hip injuries. With less than two full weeks left in January, he has 16 steals this month, including a season-high four on January eighth. He is one of two seniors named as a semifinalist. "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. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. They just didnt trust their eyes I guess, I dont know. 16 Ohio State. 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. After school, hed practice and play with his Dunbar High School team. I feel like little stuff like that made me a bit tougher and have some more grit.. 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. 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. It was just a no-brainer, McConnell said. His 21 steals over a five-game stretch tied him for second most in the Big Ten since 2002-03. Legendarypic.twitter.com/T5jWZ81x4c, Matt Sugam (@MattSugam) February 10, 2022. IHMuYXN5bmMgPSB0cnVlOwogICAgLy8gbG9hZGluZyB0aGUgZXZlcmdyZWVu Ive got to yank him out of the gym. Game speed is different than practice; you cant simulate any type of game speed. Verified. Thats another thing he had to be strong for, his mother said. 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 . It would be a fitting award to conclude an arduous college basketball career that few believed was possible. He announced his decision with an Instagram video on June 1st calling Rutgers Nation from his hometown in Florida. I just started laughing and shaking my head when he told me, he said. With McConnell's return, Rutgers Basketball now has two open scholarships remaining. And there were nagging injuries a bad back, jammed fingers, sore shoulders, bruised ribs along the way. Rutgers guard Caleb McConnell is down to decision time when it comes to his basketball future. In Indianapolis, they defeated Clemson for their first March Madness win in 38 years. The caption read: Proverbs 3:5-6. Today, the word is tattooed across his stomach in bold, black letters. He is rarely the Scarlet Knights top scorer, but he creates scoring chances for himself and his teammates because of his defensive ability. Battles game-winning shot capped a 15-4 run in the final 1:15 for Minnesotas only lead of the game. Still, McConnells basketball future was cloudy as the end of his senior season approached. I wouldnt say 100 percent, but definitely healthy," McConnell said. And yet, just like this team over the past month, McConnell fought back in the play and came through in the end. Last year, McConnell averaged 7.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists . ESPN's projections for Rutgers basketball and their NCAA Tournament outlook? Rutgers Basketball got some good news today as wing player intends to withdraw his name from the 2022 NBA Draft and will return to college for one last season with the Scarlet Knights. It was a match made in heaven, Briski said. I was just focused on making it down the floor and making the right plays," he explained. Big Ten Basketball: Rutgers defeats Michigan State, 84-63. 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 Henleys putback cut the deficit to 73-72. VE0tTUY2UFhYQycpOwo8L3NjcmlwdD4KPG5vc2NyaXB0Pgo8aWZyYW1lIGhl Clifford Omoruyi scored 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Rutgers (18-12, 10-9). 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. I think hes the best and the most versatile defender in the league, Pikiell said. Whats next for Rutgers Athletics following the 2021-2022 season? Im with this kid every day. That label of this soft, skinny kid, I think it pissed him off, quite frankly.. McConnell logged more than 10 points during each of his last three games started. He tallied 4 points on 2-of-5 shooting and added four rebounds, three assists and a block. He did that every day. c191Y2ZyPTAiIC8+Cjwvbm9zY3JpcHQ+CjwhLS0gRW5kIGNvbVNjb3JlIFRh During the 2022-203 campaign, Rutgers has been one of the best teams in the Big Ten, as McConnell has continued to improve . THIS. Not too bad. Brian Fonseca may be reached at bfonseca@njadvancemedia.com. Just played through it until the next dead ball, Briski said. GET TKR PREMIUM FREE FOR 30 DAYS CLICK HERE FOR MORE. The summer before his freshman season, McConnell recovered from surgery on the broken foot. Around the Big Ten: Where does Mike DeCourcy have the Big Ten teams in the NCAA Tournament? All I wanted to do was play basketball.. 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. Count them out at your own risk. 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! Then, you factor in his rebounds and his assists, he does a lot of things for us that equate to winning. Dont be surprised of the Blue Devils (0-7) remain on Rutgers schedule going forward. Zi5wYXJlbnROb2RlLmluc2VydEJlZm9yZShqLGYpOwogICAgICAgIHdpbmRv College players have until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday to withdraw from the 2022 NBA Draft and retain their college eligibility. When he missed eight games to start the 2020-21 season the first missed games of his college career it gnawed at McConnell. 5 takeaways as the standout guard returned from a knee injury He scored just 4 points, but had 4 rebounds, 4 steals and the all-important blocked shot. Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. How much had he changed? His work ethic was incredible, Bryant McConnell said. He also added 7.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. Contact him atjcarino@gannettnj.com. With 178 career steals he ties James Bailey.#TheKnighthood pic.twitter.com/z7B2L16nqz, Rutgers Mens Basketball (@RutgersMBB) January 12, 2023. Rutgers basketball has seen a slide in the latest analytics updates from KenPom. 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. https://rutgerswire.usatoday.com/2022/03/02/caleb-mcconnell-is-a-semifinalist-for-naismith-mens-defensive-player-of-the-year/, Naismith Mens Defensive Player of the Year. . 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. 1,244 following. Thanks for contacting us. bS9ucy5odG1sP2lkPUdUTS1NRjZQWFhDJmFtcDtndG1fYXV0aD1LaEg2aGVD This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Rutgers basketball: Caleb McConnell debuts in romp of CCSU, Rutgers basketball: Caleb McConnell debuts in romp of CCSU, Thailand's 'most beautiful transgender woman' and husband wear $580K in attire at extravagant wedding, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; 'We are coming,' sheriff says, U.S. court won't require FAA to make airplane seat size, spacing rules, Convicted killer Alex Murdaugh's new mugshot revealed after double life sentence, Rebel Wilson says she was banned from Disneyland for 30 days for taking a bathroom selfie.