Senior Caleb McConnell was the first Rutgers player since Hamady N'Diaye to win a Defensive Player of the Year Award. 28,939. Meanwhile, McConnell developed and grew as a player. News never stops. McConnell embraced the physicality and the competition, quickly going from the skinny kid everyone wanted guarding them to their first choice when picking teams. 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. McConnell has posted a 42.0 field percentage after only shooting 39.7 percent from the field last season. bS9jcy5qcyI7CiAgICBlbC5wYXJlbnROb2RlLmluc2VydEJlZm9yZShzLCBl Over the last five years, Caleb McConnell has been a steady presence in the Rutgers lineup. Rutgers guard Caleb McConnell is a contender for the Big Ten's Defender of the Year award. 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Caleb McConnell was fouled . Here is the legendary play by McConnell that might just go down as the highlight of his Rutgers career at least so far. 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.. There is still the option to withdraw up until June 13th, as per the NBA rules, but that would not allow them to retain their college eligibility. Kristian Dyer. b3ItMjAyMi0yMy1zZWFzb24iCiAgfSk7CiAgKGZ1bmN0aW9uKCkgewogICAg He was one of ten that made the cut as a semifinalist last season. dmFyIHMgPSBkb2N1bWVudC5jcmVhdGVFbGVtZW50KCJzY3JpcHQiKSwgZWwg 19). Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Sign up for the Rutgers Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. You cant replace 114 games of college experience and the intangibles he brings in terms of leadership and basketball IQ. 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. 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. Tomorrow marks the deadline for which McConnell can withdraw from the 2022 NBA Draft and return to Rutgers for one more season. I feel like little stuff like that made me a bit tougher and have some more grit.. It feels like Ive been through one long fight for years., He announced his decision on Twitter in October. Through 14 games, the Scarlet Knights senior is averaging a career-high 9.9 points and 3.3 assists per game. McConnell was selfless, a kid who loved basketball and hated to let anyone down. On Thursday, Caleb McConnell was one of 15 players named to the 2023 Naismith National Defensive Player of the Year Watchlist. They were wonderful co-parents who remain good friends to this day, but the physical distance between them was tough on their sons. He is averaging 6.5 points per game, 5.2 assists and 2.3 rebounds. 71 posts. Cam Spencer (18 points on 6-8 shooting, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals) looks fully in the flow of Rutgers schemes. Led by a dynamic backcourt, Miami owns a 10-point win over Providence and suffered an 18-point loss to Maryland. b3ItMjAyMi0yMy1zZWFzb24mYzU9MjAyMjczMzE0MCZjdj0yLjAmY2o9MSZj When the Scarlet Knights opened 7-1, he was dying to join them. The more Briski learned about him, the more there was to like. On The Banks Rutgers Athletics Oral History Project. pic.twitter.com/TI9R6uK2z3. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. 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. and Caleb McConnell then made one of two for Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights will have to work to earn a bid to the tournament. The award comes days after the Scarlet Knights' (18-12, 12-8) season finale win over Penn State.. McConnell, a native of Jacksonville, Florida, earned the prestigious award with 67 total steals this season, 20 more than second-place Hakim Hart. They have three more ranked teams and six more Quad 1 opponents in a row left on the schedule. 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. . Box Score MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The Scarlet Knights took a tough loss in Minneapolis on Thursday night. THIS. Legendarypic.twitter.com/T5jWZ81x4c, Matt Sugam (@MattSugam) February 10, 2022. 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. 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.. Leaving his mother, brothers, grandparents and friends was tough, but McConnell was committed to getting better. 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. 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. 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. As expected, rusty. Battle made three 3s and Dawson Garcia scored four points during the stretch. Not too bad. Rutgers plays at Indiana on Wednesday night, another bubble team in terms of NCAA Tournament projections. Last year, McConnell averaged 7.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists . I love the fact that I can play him at almost any position while our younger guys are figuring out one position. ewogICAgYzE6ICIyIiwKICAgIGMyOiAiNzI0MTQ2OSIsCiAgICBjNTogIjIw His cousin dropped his head back and revealed a tattoo on his neck. And there were nagging injuries a bad back, jammed fingers, sore shoulders, bruised ribs along the way. 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. The kid just was relentless, he recalled. He was previously selected to the watchlist last month. Former Rutgers star Jason McCourty joins Good Morning Football following NFL retirement. With less than two full weeks left in January, he has 16 steals this month, including a season-high four on January eighth. L3d3dy5nb29nbGV0YWdtYW5hZ2VyLmNvbS9ndG0uanM/aWQ9JytpK2RsKycm caleb mcconnell rutgers tattoogeorgia foraging laws. Hammond Morton (8-15) vs. Hammond Central (23-1) Munster (23-2) at Lake Central (16-8) CROWN POINT SECT c191Y2ZyPTAiIC8+Cjwvbm9zY3JpcHQ+CjwhLS0gRW5kIGNvbVNjb3JlIFRh Imh0dHBzOi8vc2Iuc2NvcmVjYXJkcmVzZWFyY2guY29tL3A/YzE9MiZjMj03 It will be fascinating to see how his hot hand translates to the upcoming spike in competition. After school, hed practice and play with his Dunbar High School team. Over the last five years, Caleb McConnell has been a steady presence in the Rutgers lineup. He did that every day. Rutgers guard Caleb McConnell is down to decision time when it comes to his basketball future. 1,244 following. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Battles game-winning shot capped a 15-4 run in the final 1:15 for Minnesotas only lead of the game. Just played through it until the next dead ball, Briski said. 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. Rutgers guard Caleb McConnell grimaces after colliding with a Minnesota player during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, March 2, 2023, in Minneapolis. Jun 01 16 Ohio State, Had key chase-down block on breakaway layup attempt to spark 10-0 run to close out win over No. 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. Not too bad. 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. Ron Harper Jr. spent a good portion of his childhood in the city where his famous father, five-time NBA champion Ron Harper Sr., grew up. JyZndG1fcHJldmlldz0nKydlbnYtMScrJyZndG1fY29va2llc193aW49eCc7 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. 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. His work ethic was incredible, Bryant McConnell said. During the 2022-203 campaign, Rutgers has been one of the best teams in the Big Ten, as McConnell has continued to improve . Caleb McConnell made the second of two free throws for Rutgers with 5.8 seconds left before Battle stole the . 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. Pikiell and his staff loved what they saw on tape. As he waited in the prison, Caleb McConnell didnt know what to expect. 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. 0:05. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 25 Ohio State a 67-66 victory over Rutgers on Thursday night. 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. PSBkb2N1bWVudC5nZXRFbGVtZW50c0J5VGFnTmFtZSgic2NyaXB0IilbMF07 The Scarlet Knights senior being recognized for his elite defensive efforts this . From top to bottom I think were good," McConnell said when asked to compare it to last year's NCAA qualifier. 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). Baker scored the final five points for Rutgers after the Scarlet Knights built an 11-point lead and nearly gave it all away. Its a real morale booster to see Caleb on the floor," sophomore guard Jalen Miller said. 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. ICAgfSkod2luZG93LGRvY3VtZW50LCdzY3JpcHQnLCdkYXRhTGF5ZXInLCdH He has also been a rebounds machine of late, with 32 rebounds so far in 2023. GET TKR PREMIUM FREE FOR 30 DAYS CLICK HERE FOR MORE. 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. 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. Season-saving. 13 Wisconsin (six) and No. Yesterday afternoon, senior guard Caleb McConnell of the Rutgers men's basketball team was named 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 . Odds & lines subject to change. He doesnt want anybody to know something is hurting. eTpoaWRkZW4nIHdpZHRoPScwJz48L2lmcmFtZT4KPC9ub3NjcmlwdD4KCgo=, PGRpdiBjbGFzcz0ncmEtY29udGFpbmVyIGRpc3Ryb19hZCc+CjxkaXYgY2xh I wouldnt say 100 percent, but definitely healthy," McConnell said. Golden Gophers forward Jameson Battle hit a game-winning buzzer-beater as the horn sounded to give Minnesota the 75-74 victory. UNBREAKABLE.. 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. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Im proud as hell of what hes accomplished, but I cant say Im surprised, Briski said. 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. COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Tanner Holden made a 3-pointer as time expired to give No. It was their own fault and the play started with a blown coverage. However, his offensive rebounding rate in Big Ten play is 6.8%. 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. Hes not soft. Thats another thing he had to be strong for, his mother said. 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. Last season, McConnell led the Big Ten in steals with 2.2 per game. His back slowly started to heal, allowing him to participate in practice on the scout team. McConnell was the star of the historic win, scoring 13 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and playing his trademark defense. I appreciate the fans being patient with me and cheering me on and having my back.. bS9ucy5odG1sP2lkPUdUTS1NRjZQWFhDJmFtcDtndG1fYXV0aD1LaEg2aGVD 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. 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. It was so frustrating for me at that time because its, like, Damn, I cant get a break, McConnell said. Written off, lost and bewildered. As McConnell has stepped up offensively, he has frustrated opponents on the other end of the court. 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. PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The 2021-22 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year is closer to receiving national recognition in 2023. Having him on the floor automatically improves Rutgers on both ends, especially when it comes to defense. 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. 16 Ohio State (four), No. McConnell is coming off his best season yet, as he is the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of The year. Support NJ.com, Brian Fonseca | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. to be the Big Tens defensive player of the year. 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. We've received your submission. 12 Illinois (four). And yet, just like this team over the past month, McConnell fought back in the play and came through in the end. 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. . But not until he played two possessions on it, including a cross-court sprint into a contested lay-up. 22 on the court for the first time this season. 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 . Caleb McConnell UNBREAKABLE Rutgers MBB LLA . All I wanted to do was play basketball.. photo: Creative Commons / Gage Skidmore https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2./deed.en. His movement looked fine, although he seemed a gear short of his typical explosion. Hes playing through a partially torn hip labrum and hes working out six times a day. He always wanted to get better.. bjsKICAgICAgICB3W2xdPXdbbF18fFtdO3dbbF0ucHVzaCh7J2d0bS5zdGFy Sign up for the Rutgers Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Head coach Patrick Sellers and Steve Pikiell were assistants together at Central Connecticut State for two years around the millennium. He woke his dad at 6 a.m. every morning for rides to workouts with a personal trainer. Clifford Omoruyi scored 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Rutgers (18-12, 10-9). Y29tc2NvcmUgPSBfY29tc2NvcmUgfHwgW107CiAgX2NvbXNjb3JlLnB1c2go The Jacksonville native has seen his playing time rise and has shown that he can be a veteran leader. dy5fZGlkQXN5bmNJbmplY3RHb29nbGVUYWdNYW5hZ2VyID0gdHJ1ZTsKICAg Caleb McConnell made the second of two free throws for Rutgers with 5.8 seconds left before Battle stole the win for the Gophers. So how did McConnell look? He was rewarded with the honor of moving Rutgers name to the next stage of the bracket. 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? a cross-court sprint into a contested lay-up. 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. 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. He was a dogged worker, the rare player Briski had to ask to spend less time in the gym. 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. Battle was 7 of 15 from the floor and 6-of-13 shooting from long range. I was like, You know, hes right. I heard it from the crowd. Z3RtX2F1dGg9JysnS2hINmhlQ3BvV0pVSG5xVnpkRWE3dycrCiAgICAgICAg McConnell is coming off his best season yet, as he is the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of The year. Caleb has given up so much because he believes what hell achieve in the end.. 13 Michigan State (four) and No. Pikiell actually got Sellers his first college coaching job. Pikiell told McConnell to take his time, but McConnells mind was made up: He was coming back to help this team. 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. Men's Basketball Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. How do you define wealth and a good life? It was a four point swing that swung the game in Rutgers favor. 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. Assisted by Caleb McConnell. Minnesota faces Wisconsin at home on Sunday while Rutgers plays host to Northwestern to wrap up their regular seasons. In fact, it was a voice from the crowd that helped him shake off some rust. 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. 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. Rutgers basketball makes a move down in CBS Sports projections from Jerry Palm. Rutgers Wrestling Prepares for Big Ten Conference Tournament this Weekend. Those three three years of eating, sleeping and breathing basketball turned McConnell into a Division I prospect. 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. 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. 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 . I got to play for my brothers.. It will eventually come off. The reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year is pulling his name out of the NBA Draft pool and is returning to Rutgers for his final season . McConnell's rebounding average of 5.5 per game is just 0.2 higher than last season. 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. 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. 16 Ohio State. 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). moving Rutgers name to the next stage of the bracket. 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. I have so much love for them, and I wouldnt be where I am without them. All rights reserved (About Us). Join us to discuss the action as it happens live! It would be a fitting award to conclude an arduous college basketball career that few believed was possible. Its great to have him it gives me a lift.. Rutgers won a game in astounding fashion in the midst of a brutal stretch of the season that theyre turning into opportunity. 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 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. 16 Ohio State 66-64 behind a 10-0 run in the final 3:48 of the game. From the moment McConnell dribbled a ball at a local YMCA, he was hooked. Another look at that block by @caleb_mcco cc @RutgersMBB pic.twitter.com/Tnj4oR0Lci. ", Of the brace, he said, "It doesnt hinder my game. 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. Neither do we. His level of compete was one of the highest Ive ever seen at that age. Its about me finding the right time and my spots in the game, Miller said. 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. 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. d2luZG93Ll9kaWRBc3luY0luamVjdEdvb2dsZVRhZ01hbmFnZXIpIHJldHVy 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. All McConnell needed was a chance, and Rutgers was the one that gave it to him. 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. Even by Rutgers basketball's historically painful standards, Thursday's loss at Minnesota ranks among the most infamous. Mens Basketball Game Thread: Rutgers at Minnesota. McConnell isn't the only Scarlet Knight with Dayton roots. 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. Ive got to yank him out of the gym. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Slot to Rutgers Scarlet Knights Newsletter. Jacob Young and Caleb McConnell both scored 13 points and Ron Harper Jr. added 10. 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. How much had he changed? Nobody wanted him. The freshman had 19 points in the game and was a problem for the Scarlet Knights all night. 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. We cant do it without you. dCc6CiAgICAgICAgbmV3IERhdGUoKS5nZXRUaW1lKCksZXZlbnQ6J2d0bS5q McConnell is a tremendous defensive presence, blending natural athleticism with instincts and intelligence. Simply put, it changed the game. 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. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Get a yearly subscription for $99.95/year or $9.95/month. 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. Feb 20, 2023. Of course, he hustled. #1. 33: 26: 2:03: Foul on Antwone . When McConnell got to college, his dad finally confessed. Instead, Geo Baker hit a step back jumper to cut the lead to 64-62 at the two minute mark. I really fell in love with the game, with competing and learning new stuff, McConnell said.
