He battled through countless injuries and college coaches who doubted him a skinny high school player many believed was too soft for high-major hoops. 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. Visit ESPN for the play-by-play of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers NCAAM basketball game on 3 March 2023 . To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. "It felt good to be back out there with my teammates, my brothers, and hear the crowd cheering.. The kid just was relentless, he recalled. Box Score MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The Scarlet Knights took a tough loss in Minneapolis on Thursday night. 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. In 2018, McConnell was a three-star prospect that was the 73rd-ranked shooting guard in the country. #1. Simply put, it changed the game. Minnesota faces Wisconsin at home on Sunday while Rutgers plays host to Northwestern to wrap up their regular seasons. 16 Ohio State. The freshman had 19 points in the game and was a problem for the Scarlet Knights all night. Over the last five years, Caleb McConnell has been a steady presence in the Rutgers lineup. 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. 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. McConnell, teary-eyed and frustrated when he lost, often talked about quitting, but his dad would not let him. He also added 7.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. 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. The more Briski learned about him, the more there was to like. Join us to discuss the action as it happens live! "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 mens basketball guard Caleb McConnell was named a semifinalist on Tuesday for the Naismith Mens Defensive Player of the Year. Those three three years of eating, sleeping and breathing basketball turned McConnell into a Division I prospect. Right now its there for some stability.. Instead, Geo Baker hit a step back jumper to cut the lead to 64-62 at the two minute mark. Sign up for the Rutgers Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. 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. Kristian Dyer. "We are excited to welcome Caleb McConnell back for one more season," said head coach Steve Pikiell. Photo credit Rutgers Athletics. ICAgfSkod2luZG93LGRvY3VtZW50LCdzY3JpcHQnLCdkYXRhTGF5ZXInLCdH X2Nvb2tpZXNfd2luPXgnIHN0eWxlPSdkaXNwbGF5Om5vbmU7dmlzaWJpbGl0 INCREDIBLE BLOCK BY @caleb_mcco . McConnell logged more than 10 points during each of his last three games started. It will eventually come off. 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. moving Rutgers name to the next stage of the bracket. He scored 8 of the final 10 points and finished with a game high 25 points. But quickly, it was like old times two longtime buddies talking through telephones on two sides of the glass. Baker was sensational. c3M9J3ZpZGVvLWFkLXdyYXBwZXInPgo8c2NyaXB0IGFzeW5jIHNyYz0nLy9j Coaches and scouts said he was too skinny, which meant he would get pushed around by bigger players. He is one of two seniors named as a semifinalist. 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. Rutgers plays at Indiana on Wednesday night, another bubble team in terms of NCAA Tournament projections. 13 Michigan State and No. 0:05. Watching the play several times, it jumps out as symbolic of this season for Rutgers mens basketball. MARCH. Latest on Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Caleb McConnell including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN. Aaron Breitman. 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. To see him causing havoc in the Big Ten for the last four years, its just awesome. His cousin dropped his head back and revealed a tattoo on his neck. 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. His 21 steals over a five-game stretch tied him for second most in the Big Ten since 2002-03. Big Ten; New York City Sports; Rutgers Scarlet Knights; College Sports; Sports Even by Rutgers basketball's historically painful standards, Thursday's loss at Minnesota ranks among the most infamous. Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, News never stops. On Thursday, Caleb McConnell was one of 15 players named to the 2023 Naismith National Defensive Player of the Year Watchlist. He is averaging 6.5 points per game, 5.2 assists and 2.3 rebounds. From the moment McConnell dribbled a ball at a local YMCA, he was hooked. 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. McConnells has a decorated resume through 60 career starts and 114 games played. He is a ferocious defender on and off the ball. Eventually, the outdoor courts in Jacksonville and Dayton became his home. McConnell is coming off his best season yet, as he is the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of The year. What would they talk about? Rutgers basketball makes a move down in CBS Sports projections from Jerry Palm. During the 2022-203 campaign, Rutgers has been one of the best teams in the Big Ten, as McConnell has continued to improve . How do you survive in here? McConnell asked. He is the only Big Ten player to make the semifinalist cut. When the Scarlet Knights opened 7-1, he was dying to join them. 19). It was not a seamless transition. 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. INCREDIBLE BLOCK BY @caleb_mccoWhat a spark for @RutgersMBB! 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. So how did McConnell look? The Scarlet Knights senior being recognized for his elite defensive efforts this season. We've received your submission. 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. All rights reserved (About Us). bmV3cyUyRmNhbGViLW1jY29ubmVsbC1yZXR1cm5pbmctdG8tcnV0Z2Vycy1m Hes playing through a partially torn hip labrum and hes working out six times a day. But the other three scholarship Scarlet Knights who are . Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. to be the Big Tens defensive player of the year. bS9ucy5odG1sP2lkPUdUTS1NRjZQWFhDJmFtcDtndG1fYXV0aD1LaEg2aGVD Latest on Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Caleb McConnell including biography, career, awards and more on ESPN He announced his decision with an Instagram video on June 1st calling Rutgers Nation from his hometown in Florida. All rights reserved (About Us). The third son of high school sweethearts Bryant McConnell and Stefanie Kerlin, McConnell was 2 years old when his parents split. He is an unbelievable person and has been one of our best all-around players on both sides of the floor. eTpoaWRkZW4nIHdpZHRoPScwJz48L2lmcmFtZT4KPC9ub3NjcmlwdD4KCgo=, PGRpdiBjbGFzcz0ncmEtY29udGFpbmVyIGRpc3Ryb19hZCc+CjxkaXYgY2xh 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. b3ItMjAyMi0yMy1zZWFzb24iCiAgfSk7CiAgKGZ1bmN0aW9uKCkgewogICAg Commanded his way off the bench with a double-double (13 points and 10 rebounds) in win against Clemson in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament (Mar. 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 a contender for the Big Ten's Defender of the Year award. The McConnell boys split their time between them, attending school in Florida, with summers in Ohio. The best insights from the ultimate insiders, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved. ESPN's projections for Rutgers basketball and their NCAA Tournament outlook? Hes fearless.. He doesnt want anybody to know something is hurting. Led by a dynamic backcourt, Miami owns a 10-point win over Providence and suffered an 18-point loss to Maryland. Freshmen Derek Simpson and Antwone Woolfolk, who will be needed in Big Ten competition, have gotten valuable time and shown growth this month. Of course, he hustled. Kaleb Johnson leaving Rutgers football to join the Florida Gators in the SEC, Antwann Hill Jr. discusses Rutgers football offer and where things stand with Ohio State, Rutgers basketball dominates and somehow loses at Minnesota, CBS Sports Jerry Palm has Rutgers basketball in the First Four. Im proud as hell of what hes accomplished, but I cant say Im surprised, Briski said. Jacob Young and Caleb McConnell both scored 13 points and Ron Harper Jr. added 10. Jun 01
A three-star recruit, he had nowhere to go. Minnesota won 75-74. 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. Written off, lost and bewildered. 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.