caleb mcconnell rutgers tattoo caleb mcconnell rutgers tattoo

Tomorrow marks the deadline for which McConnell can withdraw from the 2022 NBA Draft and return to Rutgers for one more season. He woke his dad at 6 a.m. every morning for rides to workouts with a personal trainer. The summer after, he had surgery to repair his hip injuries. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. 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. The kids a dog.. You cant replace 114 games of college experience and the intangibles he brings in terms of leadership and basketball IQ. 19). Then Pikiell inserted McConnell into the starting lineup, the Scarlet Knights won five of their next six games and eventually squeaked into the tournament, ending a 30-year drought. We miss having you out there. Rutgers guard Caleb McConnell is down to decision time when it comes to his basketball future. Battles game-winning shot capped a 15-4 run in the final 1:15 for Minnesotas only lead of the game. From the moment McConnell dribbled a ball at a local YMCA, he was hooked. Through 14 games, the Scarlet Knights senior is averaging a career-high 9.9 points and 3.3 assists per game. What makes McConnell so valuable is how he impacts a game in multiple ways. McConnell was the kind of prospect they wanted a tough kid with lots of upside who loved basketball. Contact him atjcarino@gannettnj.com. Mulcahy remains sidelined indefinitely by left shoulder injury; Pikiell said he's been cleared to practice but not for contact. 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. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Slot to Rutgers Scarlet Knights Newsletter. 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. Battle made three 3s and Dawson Garcia scored four points during the stretch. Aaron Breitman. 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. Eventually, the outdoor courts in Jacksonville and Dayton became his home. 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. And he was tougher than Briski could have imagined. Another look at that block by @caleb_mcco cc @RutgersMBB pic.twitter.com/Tnj4oR0Lci. McConnell is one of three foundational veterans in the program, along with Omoruyi and senior point guard Paul Mulcahy. a cross-court sprint into a contested lay-up. He was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year last year and has been even better during the 2022-2023 campaign. He is averaging 6.5 points per game, 5.2 assists and 2.3 rebounds. As he watched practice following his daily rehab sessions, he could see the chemistry and the potential for a historic season. JyZndG1fcHJldmlldz0nKydlbnYtMScrJyZndG1fY29va2llc193aW49eCc7 INCREDIBLE BLOCK BY @caleb_mccoWhat a spark for @RutgersMBB! c191Y2ZyPTAiIC8+Cjwvbm9zY3JpcHQ+CjwhLS0gRW5kIGNvbVNjb3JlIFRh It was their own fault and the play started with a blown coverage. 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. ZyAtLT4KCgo=, Enjoying TheKnightReport? Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Senior Caleb McConnell was the first Rutgers player since Hamady N'Diaye to win a Defensive Player of the Year Award. How do you survive in here? McConnell asked. It will eventually come off. I really fell in love with the game, with competing and learning new stuff, McConnell said. Its great to have him it gives me a lift.. McConnell is coming off his best season yet, as he is the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of The year. Mens Basketball Game Thread: Rutgers at Minnesota. He doesnt want anybody to know something is hurting. Thank you to the fans, the University and all who played a part in providing me this opportunity to play at Rutgers. 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. On Thursday, Caleb McConnell was one of 15 players named to the 2023 Naismith National Defensive Player of the Year Watchlist. When he missed eight games to start the 2020-21 season the first missed games of his college career it gnawed at McConnell. All rights reserved (About Us). Caleb McConnell made the second of two free throws for Rutgers with 5.8 seconds left before Battle stole the . Odds & lines subject to change. Freshmen Derek Simpson and Antwone Woolfolk, who will be needed in Big Ten competition, have gotten valuable time and shown growth this month. But the other three scholarship Scarlet Knights who are . His work ethic was incredible, Bryant McConnell said. ESPN's projections for Rutgers basketball and their NCAA Tournament outlook? 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. Rutgers guard Caleb McConnell is down to decision time when it comes to his basketball future. Count them out at your own risk. Over the last five years, Caleb McConnell has been a steady presence in the Rutgers lineup. How do you define wealth and a good life? 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 freshman had 19 points in the game and was a problem for the Scarlet Knights all night. photo: Creative Commons / Gage Skidmore https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2./deed.en. Y29tc2NvcmUgPSBfY29tc2NvcmUgfHwgW107CiAgX2NvbXNjb3JlLnB1c2go It was his way of getting me better. Last season, McConnell led the Big Ten in steals with 2.2 per game. He scored 8 of the final 10 points and finished with a game high 25 points. Here is the legendary play by McConnell that might just go down as the highlight of his Rutgers career at least so far. He is the only Big Ten player to make the semifinalist cut. Caleb McConnell is coming back for one more year. He scored just 4 points, but had 4 rebounds, 4 steals and the all-important blocked shot. Head coach Patrick Sellers and Steve Pikiell were assistants together at Central Connecticut State for two years around the millennium. Without McConnells miraculous play, the eventual 10-0 run is erased and Rutgers would have trailed by six points with just over two minutes to play. PSBkb2N1bWVudC5nZXRFbGVtZW50c0J5VGFnTmFtZSgic2NyaXB0IilbMF07 And yet, just like this team over the past month, McConnell fought back in the play and came through in the end. Zi5wYXJlbnROb2RlLmluc2VydEJlZm9yZShqLGYpOwogICAgICAgIHdpbmRv Rutgers won a game in astounding fashion in the midst of a brutal stretch of the season that theyre turning into opportunity. AP Top 25 Poll: Rutgers drops out of national rankings once again NJ . It will be fascinating to see how his hot hand translates to the upcoming spike in competition. IHZlcnNpb24gb2YgY3MuanMgc28gd2UgYWx3YXlzIGhhdmUgdGhlIGxhc3Qg Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. 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. Having him on the floor automatically improves Rutgers on both ends, especially when it comes to defense. Gambling problem? ", Of the brace, he said, "It doesnt hinder my game. UNCASVILLE, Conn. - Between them, Caleb McConnell and Paul Mulcahy have played 208 games for Rutgers basketball. It was not a seamless transition. 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. He was rewarded with the honor of moving Rutgers name to the next stage of the bracket. Ive got to yank him out of the gym. Had streak of four games of over four+ steals to key wins over No. 16 Ohio State (four), No. Baker scored the final five points for Rutgers after the Scarlet Knights built an 11-point lead and nearly gave it all away. bCk7CiAgfSkoKTsKPC9zY3JpcHQ+Cgo8bm9zY3JpcHQ+CiAgPGltZyBzcmM9 All rights reserved (About Us). 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. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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. Golden Gophers forward Jameson Battle hit a game-winning buzzer-beater as the horn sounded to give Minnesota the 75-74 victory. January 22, 2023 7:47 pm ET. Now he did this all while shooting 39.7% from the floor. I wouldnt say 100 percent, but definitely healthy," McConnell said. 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 . 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. aWdodD0nMCcgc3JjPSdodHRwczovL3d3dy5nb29nbGV0YWdtYW5hZ2VyLmNv McConnell will give it everything he has, carried by the unbreakable mindset that got him here, sharing all the fruits of his labor with those who backed him up along the way. 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. Sie suchen nach einem 70413 lego, das Ihren Ansprchen gerecht wird? 13 Wisconsin (six) and No. McConnell's has a decorated resume through 60 career starts . 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. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. . 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). In fact, it was a voice from the crowd that helped him shake off some rust. Those three three years of eating, sleeping and breathing basketball turned McConnell into a Division I prospect. MARCH. Baker was sensational. PISCATAWAY A huge cheer arose from the 5,000 denizens of Jersey Mikes Arena five minutes into Saturdays game, when Caleb McConnell rose from the bench and checked in at the scorers table. 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. dy5fZGlkQXN5bmNJbmplY3RHb29nbGVUYWdNYW5hZ2VyID0gdHJ1ZTsKICAg dmVyc2lvbgogICAgcy5zcmMgPSAiaHR0cHM6Ly9zLnlpbWcuY29tL2N4L3Z6 Hes just tough. Rutgers basketball has seen a slide in the latest analytics updates from KenPom. He was one of ten that made the cut as a semifinalist last season. It will be the final home game of fifth-year senior Caleb McConnells career as he runs out of collegiate eligibility after this season. The kids fearless, man. 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. He has been more involved offensively and is taking advantage of his opportunities. I was just focused on making it down the floor and making the right plays," he explained. 12 Illinois (four). 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. 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. 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. He did that every day. Just played through it until the next dead ball, Briski said. ICAgIGo9ZC5jcmVhdGVFbGVtZW50KHMpLGRsPWwhPSdkYXRhTGF5ZXInPycm To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell reacts during Rutgers' loss to Minnesota on March 2. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Woolfolk, the backup center, tallied 9 points on 4-of-4 shooting and added four boards and two steals. AP. 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 . Sign up for the Rutgers Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. It feels like Ive been through one long fight for years., He announced his decision on Twitter in October. He kept going at dudes. "Ive been out these last six weeks and had just three or four practices. Kristian Dyer. I said, What are you talking about? Briski said. So how did McConnell look? Support NJ.com, Brian Fonseca | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, across his stomach in bold, black letters. 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. Through six games he's been Rutgers' best all-around player this season. In fact, it was a voice from the crowd that helped him shake off some rust. The kid just was relentless, he recalled. Last year, McConnell averaged 7.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists . We've received your submission. Not too bad. News never stops. Big Ten Basketball: Rutgers defeats Michigan State, 84-63. 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. 339 in Kenpom, but the Scarlet Knights did make it through an injury-riddled November without taking a Lafayette-type loss. Then, you factor in his rebounds and his assists, he does a lot of things for us that equate to winning. 1,244 following. Former Rutgers star Jason McCourty joins Good Morning Football following NFL retirement. Then came the texts and calls from teammates that all carried the same message: We really need you this year. Whats next for Rutgers Athletics following the 2021-2022 season? 13 Michigan State (four) and No. aWQ9J2RzX2RlZmF1bHRfYW5jaG9yJz48L2Rpdj4KPC9kaXY+CjwvZGl2PgoK, Certain Data by Sportradar and Stats Perform, PCEtLSBCZWdpbiBjb21TY29yZSBUYWcgLS0+Cgo8c2NyaXB0PgogIHZhciBf Afterward, hed put up shots late into the night. No Rutgers fans, the chase down block by Caleb McConnell was not a dreamGame-saving. 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. One phrase can describe senior guard Caleb McConnell's four-year career as a member of the Scarlet Knights (18-12, 12-8): tough as nails.. "Caleb has been the ultimate ambassador for our program on and off the court. He always wanted to get better.. Of course, he hustled. March 2, 2022 6:24 am ET. Thats another thing he had to be strong for, his mother said. GET TKR PREMIUM FREE FOR 30 DAYS CLICK HERE FOR MORE. I just love being outside, playing outside, playing at the park all day. 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. On The Banks Rutgers Athletics Oral History Project. Was the new setting going to make things weird? Theyve been down and out more times than I can count. Pikiell actually got Sellers his first college coaching job. Im proud as hell of what hes accomplished, but I cant say Im surprised, Briski said. On Wednesday night, Rutgers mens basketball completed an improbable comeback to knock off No. It will be the final home game of fifth-year senior Caleb McConnell's career as he runs out of collegiate eligibility after this season. 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. All I wanted to do was play basketball.. Caleb Mcconnell gets the layup to fall vs. Penn State Nittany Lions. In his final year as a Scarlet Knight, McConnell is having an unforgettable last dance and helping Rutgers earn national headlines. 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. Feb 20, 2023. cG9XSlVIbnFWemRFYTd3JmFtcDtndG1fcHJldmlldz1lbnYtMSZhbXA7Z3Rt Latest on Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Caleb McConnell including biography, career, awards and more on ESPN 0:05. He was previously selected to the watchlist last month. 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 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. dmFyIHMgPSBkb2N1bWVudC5jcmVhdGVFbGVtZW50KCJzY3JpcHQiKSwgZWwg Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Instead, Geo Baker hit a step back jumper to cut the lead to 64-62 at the two minute mark. https://rutgerswire.usatoday.com/2023/01/22/rutgers-caleb-mcconnell-is-having-an-impressive-last-dance/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. c3M9J3ZpZGVvLWFkLXdyYXBwZXInPgo8c2NyaXB0IGFzeW5jIHNyYz0nLy9j 33: 26: 2:03: Foul on Antwone . 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 mens basketball guard Caleb McConnell was named a semifinalist on Tuesday for the Naismith Mens Defensive Player of the Year. The third son of high school sweethearts Bryant McConnell and Stefanie Kerlin, McConnell was 2 years old when his parents split. 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. McConnell has posted a 42.0 field percentage after only shooting 39.7 percent from the field last season. 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. Leaving his mother, brothers, grandparents and friends was tough, but McConnell was committed to getting better. 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. "And since we have such a different dynamic (in terms of personnel fit), I think this is actually a better team.. But not until he played two possessions on it, including a cross-court sprint into a contested lay-up. 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). Please update it here. Still, McConnells basketball future was cloudy as the end of his senior season approached. It was just a no-brainer, McConnell said. Get a yearly subscription for $99.95/year or $9.95/month. He has also been a rebounds machine of late, with 32 rebounds so far in 2023. 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. Written off, lost and bewildered. eTpoaWRkZW4nIHdpZHRoPScwJz48L2lmcmFtZT4KPC9ub3NjcmlwdD4KCgo=, PGRpdiBjbGFzcz0ncmEtY29udGFpbmVyIGRpc3Ryb19hZCc+CjxkaXYgY2xh As McConnell has stepped up offensively, he has frustrated opponents on the other end of the court. Theres not much to be drawn from beating up on an opponent ranked No. They were wonderful co-parents who remain good friends to this day, but the physical distance between them was tough on their sons. Man, it felt good," McConnell said. The Scarlet Knights will have to work to earn a bid to the tournament. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Thanks for contacting us. 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.. Despite the bumps and bruises, McConnell progressed from a freshman reserve who displayed occasional glimpses of his potential to a sophomore starter. Around the Big Ten: Where does Mike DeCourcy have the Big Ten teams in the NCAA Tournament? 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. I feel like little stuff like that made me a bit tougher and have some more grit.. MjI3MzMxNDAiLAogICAgYzc6ICJodHRwczovL3J1dGdlcnMucml2YWxzLmNv UNBREAKABLE.. All it takes is perseverance, keeping my head down and keep going.. bS9ucy5odG1sP2lkPUdUTS1NRjZQWFhDJmFtcDtndG1fYXV0aD1LaEg2aGVD Minnesota won 75-74. Season-saving. Neither do we. cyd9KTt2YXIgZj1kLmdldEVsZW1lbnRzQnlUYWdOYW1lKHMpWzBdLAogICAg According to a former coach, he is also toughest damn dude in the Big Ten.. 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. 25 Ohio State a 67-66 victory over Rutgers on Thursday night. The Rutgers guard overcame a childhood that hopscotched from Florida to Ohio and eventually left him living on his own to pursue his dream. He is one of two seniors named as a semifinalist. 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. How much had he changed? 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. Isiah Pacheco continues to impress with Kansas City Chiefs, named lead kick returner for preseason. Cam Spencer (18 points on 6-8 shooting, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals) looks fully in the flow of Rutgers schemes. That label of this soft, skinny kid, I think it pissed him off, quite frankly.. Scarlet Nation continues to hear things are trending in that direction as McConnell could use an extra year to improve his draft stock. McConnell was selfless, a kid who loved basketball and hated to let anyone down. LmpzcmRuLmNvbS9zL2NzLmpzP3A9MjI1NDYnIHR5cGU9J3RleHQvamF2YXNj The Scarlet Knights senior being recognized for his elite defensive efforts this season. 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. Caleb McConnell made the second of two free throws for Rutgers with 5.8 seconds left before Battle stole the win for the Gophers. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. bS9jcy5qcyI7CiAgICBlbC5wYXJlbnROb2RlLmluc2VydEJlZm9yZShzLCBl dCc6CiAgICAgICAgbmV3IERhdGUoKS5nZXRUaW1lKCksZXZlbnQ6J2d0bS5q They have three more ranked teams and six more Quad 1 opponents in a row left on the schedule. 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. Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Caleb McConnell (22) waits to enter the game during the first half against the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils at Jersey Mike's Arena. With less than two full weeks left in January, he has 16 steals this month, including a season-high four on January eighth. If you look at our games, hes taking the best player and cutting their points in half. Everyone who follows Rutgers basketball knows that, and you could feel the appreciation in the stands Saturday. ESPN's projections for Rutgers basketball and their NCAA Tournament outlook? YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. His impact in many games isnt necessarily fully reflected in the box score. bmV3cyUyRmNhbGViLW1jY29ubmVsbC1yZXR1cm5pbmctdG8tcnV0Z2Vycy1m JAMISON BATTLE WITH A BUZZER BEATER FOR @GopherMBB (via @CBBonFOX) pic.twitter.com/NPEFUfaxDa. "Certainly for the first time these guys being on this stage, they were locked in from the beginning," Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell said. To see him causing havoc in the Big Ten for the last four years, its just awesome. 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 Jacksonville native has seen his playing time rise and has shown that he can be a veteran leader. Hes not soft. Join us to discuss the action as it happens live! "Hes got to get his timing back, but he causes major disruptions. 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. Dont be surprised of the Blue Devils (0-7) remain on Rutgers schedule going forward. He announced his decision with an Instagram video on June 1st "calling Rutgers Nation" from his hometown in Florida. McConnell isn't the only Scarlet Knight with Dayton roots. Rutgers basketball makes a move down in CBS Sports projections from Jerry Palm. 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. PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The 2021-22 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year is closer to receiving national recognition in 2023. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. INCREDIBLE BLOCK BY @caleb_mcco . 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 so frustrating for me at that time because its, like, Damn, I cant get a break, McConnell said. "It felt good to be back out there with my teammates, my brothers, and hear the crowd cheering.. "I was just focused on making it down the floor and making the right plays," he explained. b3ItMjAyMi0yMy1zZWFzb24mYzU9MjAyMjczMzE0MCZjdj0yLjAmY2o9MSZj VE0tTUY2UFhYQycpOwo8L3NjcmlwdD4KPG5vc2NyaXB0Pgo8aWZyYW1lIGhl L3d3dy5nb29nbGV0YWdtYW5hZ2VyLmNvbS9ndG0uanM/aWQ9JytpK2RsKycm Hes going to go out and play.. RU surrendered a 10-point lead with 1:15 remaining on the clock. From top to bottom I think were good," McConnell said when asked to compare it to last year's NCAA qualifier. Watching the play several times, it jumps out as symbolic of this season for Rutgers mens basketball. pic . bS9uZXdzL2NhbGViLW1jY29ubmVsbC1yZXR1cm5pbmctdG8tcnV0Z2Vycy1m 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. 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. --------------------------------------------------------------, Talk about it inside The Round Table Message Board, Talk about it on the Rutgers Hoops Free Message Board, PHNjcmlwdD4KICAoZnVuY3Rpb24odyxkLHMsbCxpKXsKICAgICAgICBpZiAo Simply put, it changed the game. MjQxNDY5JmM3PWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGcnV0Z2Vycy5yaXZhbHMuY29tJTJG 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. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. He is rarely the Scarlet Knights top scorer, but he creates scoring chances for himself and his teammates because of his defensive ability. 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. Hes always got something lingering, but just doesnt care. "It was a tough six weeks for me. As he waited in the prison, Caleb McConnell didnt know what to expect.