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Afterward, hed put up shots late into the night. Rutgers basketball makes a move down in CBS Sports projections from Jerry Palm. McConnell's has a decorated resume through 60 career starts . LmpzcmRuLmNvbS9zL2NzLmpzP3A9MjI1NDYnIHR5cGU9J3RleHQvamF2YXNj bmV3cyUyRmNhbGViLW1jY29ubmVsbC1yZXR1cm5pbmctdG8tcnV0Z2Vycy1m 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). Big Ten Basketball: Rutgers defeats Michigan State, 84-63. Rutgers targeted by Penn State fans' vulgar, racist language during comeback win Unfortunately, in the article, Nj.com writes about the BYU-Duke volleyball game: "[R]acial slurs and threats were directed at a Black player on Duke's team during a match in Utah on Aug. 26." The BYU investigation revealed these slurs and threats did not occur. 71 posts. 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 . IS. But not until he played two possessions on it, including a cross-court sprint into a contested lay-up. Over the last five years, Caleb McConnell has been a steady presence in the Rutgers lineup. He scored just 4 points, but had 4 rebounds, 4 steals and the all-important blocked shot. In Indianapolis, they defeated Clemson for their first March Madness win in 38 years. Tomorrow marks the deadline for which McConnell can withdraw from the 2022 NBA Draft and return to Rutgers for one more season. 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. AP Top 25 Poll: Rutgers drops out of national rankings once again NJ . 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. Mens Basketball Game Thread: Rutgers at Minnesota. What makes McConnell so valuable is how he impacts a game in multiple ways. In fact, it was a voice from the crowd that helped him shake off some rust. When the Scarlet Knights opened 7-1, he was dying to join them. Get a yearly subscription for $99.95/year or $9.95/month. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Rutgers Wrestling Prepares for Big Ten Conference Tournament this Weekend. 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. bS9uZXdzL2NhbGViLW1jY29ubmVsbC1yZXR1cm5pbmctdG8tcnV0Z2Vycy1m He doesnt want anybody to know something is hurting. Rutgers senior guard Caleb McConnell's availability for the start of the 2022-23 season is unclear as he works his way back from the knee injury he sustained in practice earlier this month, head . When McConnell got to college, his dad finally confessed. Neither do we. UNCASVILLE, Conn. - Between them, Caleb McConnell and Paul Mulcahy have played 208 games for Rutgers basketball. Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. Rutgers basketball has seen a slide in the latest analytics updates from KenPom. I just love being outside, playing outside, playing at the park all day. VE0tTUY2UFhYQycpOwo8L3NjcmlwdD4KPG5vc2NyaXB0Pgo8aWZyYW1lIGhl He is averaging 6.5 points per game, 5.2 assists and 2.3 rebounds. The Jacksonville native has seen his playing time rise and has shown that he can be a veteran leader. 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. 16 Ohio State, Had key chase-down block on breakaway layup attempt to spark 10-0 run to close out win over No. pic . 16 Ohio State 66-64 behind a 10-0 run in the final 3:48 of the game. aWdodD0nMCcgc3JjPSdodHRwczovL3d3dy5nb29nbGV0YWdtYW5hZ2VyLmNv McConnell is one of three foundational veterans in the program, along with Omoruyi and senior point guard Paul Mulcahy. I was just focused on making it down the floor and making the right plays," he explained. 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. 12 Illinois (four). Season-saving. aWQ9J2RzX2RlZmF1bHRfYW5jaG9yJz48L2Rpdj4KPC9kaXY+CjwvZGl2PgoK, Certain Data by Sportradar and Stats Perform, PCEtLSBCZWdpbiBjb21TY29yZSBUYWcgLS0+Cgo8c2NyaXB0PgogIHZhciBf 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. So how did McConnell look? McConnell would bring veteran leadership back to the team and he was also named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year last season. With 178 career steals he ties James Bailey.#TheKnighthood pic.twitter.com/z7B2L16nqz, Rutgers Mens Basketball (@RutgersMBB) January 12, 2023. dmFyIHMgPSBkb2N1bWVudC5jcmVhdGVFbGVtZW50KCJzY3JpcHQiKSwgZWwg THIS. Its great to have him it gives me a lift.. He was a dogged worker, the rare player Briski had to ask to spend less time in the gym. 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. 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 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. 113. He is the only Big Ten player to make the semifinalist cut. The Rutgers guard is averaging a career-high 2.4 steals a game. He woke his dad at 6 a.m. every morning for rides to workouts with a personal trainer. Meanwhile, McConnell developed and grew as a player. My friends would ask what I was doing or to hang out and Id tell them to meet me at the park. With less than two full weeks left in January, he has 16 steals this month, including a season-high four on January eighth. With McConnell's return, Rutgers Basketball now has two open scholarships remaining. Ive got to yank him out of the gym. They just didnt trust their eyes I guess, I dont know. Z3RtX2F1dGg9JysnS2hINmhlQ3BvV0pVSG5xVnpkRWE3dycrCiAgICAgICAg 1,244 following. Sie suchen nach einem 70413 lego, das Ihren Ansprchen gerecht wird? That label of this soft, skinny kid, I think it pissed him off, quite frankly.. 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. 13 Michigan State (four) and No. It was so frustrating for me at that time because its, like, Damn, I cant get a break, McConnell said. Minnesota won 75-74. Eventually, the outdoor courts in Jacksonville and Dayton became his home. The kids a dog.. Rutgers mens basketball guard Caleb McConnell was named a semifinalist on Tuesday for the Naismith Mens Defensive Player of the Year. Please update it here. I love the fact that I can play him at almost any position while our younger guys are figuring out one position. 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. L3d3dy5nb29nbGV0YWdtYW5hZ2VyLmNvbS9ndG0uanM/aWQ9JytpK2RsKycm 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). Big Ten and Big East programs that once had shown interest hesitated to take him. I appreciate the fans being patient with me and cheering me on and having my back.. 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. McConnell is a tremendous defensive presence, blending natural athleticism with instincts and intelligence. --------------------------------------------------------------, Talk about it inside The Round Table Message Board, Talk about it on the Rutgers Hoops Free Message Board, PHNjcmlwdD4KICAoZnVuY3Rpb24odyxkLHMsbCxpKXsKICAgICAgICBpZiAo What a spark for @RutgersMBB! "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. No Rutgers fans, the chase down block by Caleb McConnell was not a dreamGame-saving. Isiah Pacheco continues to impress with Kansas City Chiefs, named lead kick returner for preseason. 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. ewogICAgYzE6ICIyIiwKICAgIGMyOiAiNzI0MTQ2OSIsCiAgICBjNTogIjIw "Spoke to Steve Pikiell a little bit ago. College players have until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday to withdraw from the 2022 NBA Draft and retain their college eligibility. 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. McConnell has posted a 42.0 field percentage after only shooting 39.7 percent from the field last season. After school, hed practice and play with his Dunbar High School team. d2luZG93Ll9kaWRBc3luY0luamVjdEdvb2dsZVRhZ01hbmFnZXIpIHJldHVy 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.. Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell reacts during Rutgers' loss to Minnesota on March 2. Theyve been down and out more times than I can count. Written off, lost and bewildered. 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. 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. Caleb McConnell was fouled . 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. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. They have three more ranked teams and six more Quad 1 opponents in a row left on the schedule. Just as Rutgers was being read its last rites on the game in what really was a must win to maintain hope for a repeat trip to the NCAA Tournament, McConnell, like the team, came back from the dead to save the day. Gambling problem? Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. His cousin dropped his head back and revealed a tattoo on his neck. All rights reserved (About Us). 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. It was a match made in heaven, Briski said. Mulcahy remains sidelined indefinitely by left shoulder injury; Pikiell said he's been cleared to practice but not for contact. "It felt good to be back out there with my teammates, my brothers, and hear the crowd cheering.. Everyone who follows Rutgers basketball knows that, and you could feel the appreciation in the stands Saturday. He tallied 4 points on 2-of-5 shooting and added four rebounds, three assists and a block. Will have a story up soon, but you'll hear first: Pikiell said he is not expecting Caleb McConnell to be available on Thursday against Michigan due to the back injury he sustained during warmups for the Wisconsin game. McConnell, teary-eyed and frustrated when he lost, often talked about quitting, but his dad would not let him. It was their own fault and the play started with a blown coverage. 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. Having him on the floor automatically improves Rutgers on both ends, especially when it comes to defense. 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. PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The 2021-22 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year is closer to receiving national recognition in 2023. That aspect of the game has been a mainstay and strength during the Pikiell era as McConnell has personified the type of player that has developed and excelled under the head coach's direction. Clifford Omoruyi scored 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Rutgers (18-12, 10-9). 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). and Caleb McConnell then made one of two for Rutgers. "Certainly for the first time these guys being on this stage, they were locked in from the beginning," Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell said. cmlwdCc+PC9zY3JpcHQ+CjxkaXYgY2xhc3M9J3ZpZGVvLWNvbnRhaW5lcicg 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. The senior guard came through on the defensive end to save the game for Rutgers in the upset of No. 13 Michigan State and No. Another look at that block by @caleb_mcco cc @RutgersMBB pic.twitter.com/Tnj4oR0Lci. Big Ten; New York City Sports; Rutgers Scarlet Knights; College Sports; Sports Scarlet Nation continues to hear things are trending in that direction as McConnell could use an extra year to improve his draft stock. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Those three three years of eating, sleeping and breathing basketball turned McConnell into a Division I prospect. Tomorrow marks the deadline for which McConnell can withdraw from the 2022 NBA Draft and return to . Verified. There were the attributes obvious to everyone some sharp shooting, an ability to drive to the rim, dynamic playmaking, a willingness to pass the ball but Briski was impressed by something else. 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. The senior guard has dominated low-major foes just like he did at Loyola-Maryland. Yesterday afternoon, senior guard Caleb McConnell of the Rutgers men's basketball team was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. As Rutgers looks to make a tournament run, McConnell will be critical. I said, What are you talking about? Briski said. pic.twitter.com/TI9R6uK2z3. He has also been a rebounds machine of late, with 32 rebounds so far in 2023. 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. At least one Big East coach, to Briskis amazement, said he was soft. 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. Leaving his mother, brothers, grandparents and friends was tough, but McConnell was committed to getting better. Sign up for the Rutgers Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Then, you factor in his rebounds and his assists, he does a lot of things for us that equate to winning. 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. cyd9KTt2YXIgZj1kLmdldEVsZW1lbnRzQnlUYWdOYW1lKHMpWzBdLAogICAg They were wonderful co-parents who remain good friends to this day, but the physical distance between them was tough on their sons. c3M9J3ZpZGVvLWFkLXdyYXBwZXInPgo8c2NyaXB0IGFzeW5jIHNyYz0nLy9j And yet, just like this team over the past month, McConnell fought back in the play and came through in the end. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. What would they talk about? How do you survive in here? McConnell asked. On The Banks Rutgers Athletics Oral History Project. As he waited in the prison, Caleb McConnell didnt know what to expect. The Scarlet Knights senior being recognized for his elite defensive efforts this . By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Instead, Geo Baker hit a step back jumper to cut the lead to 64-62 at the two minute mark. Rutgers Wrestling: Coach Scott Goodale gives early lineup preview, Rutgers Football: 5 things to watch during training camp. The play also sent the RAC faithful into a frenzy the rest of the way that helped propel this team to victory. 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. . Caleb McConnell made the second of two free throws for Rutgers with 5.8 seconds left before Battle stole the . COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Tanner Holden made a 3-pointer as time expired to give No. Rutgers was carried by a stellar night from senior . 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. c191Y2ZyPTAiIC8+Cjwvbm9zY3JpcHQ+CjwhLS0gRW5kIGNvbVNjb3JlIFRh 25 Ohio State a 67-66 victory over Rutgers on Thursday night. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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. He was rewarded with the honor of moving Rutgers name to the next stage of the bracket. Y29tc2NvcmUgPSBfY29tc2NvcmUgfHwgW107CiAgX2NvbXNjb3JlLnB1c2go Hell go down as one of the great winners that weve had here, Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell said. It will eventually come off. January 22, 2023 7:47 pm ET. Sign up for the Rutgers Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Freshmen Derek Simpson and Antwone Woolfolk, who will be needed in Big Ten competition, have gotten valuable time and shown growth this month. During the 2022-203 campaign, Rutgers has been one of the best teams in the Big Ten, as McConnell has continued to improve . 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. My Rutgers family helped me grow from a unrefined freshman to the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and I thank you all for that from the bottom of my heart!. I always think in my head, Im unbreakable. I can overcome all those things. Chris Corso, A post shared by Rutgers Basketball (@rutgersmbb). 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. Made season debut versus CCSUafter missing the five games due to injury (knee), Excelled at Miami with 16 points, six rebounds, four assists in 35 minutes, Posted 16 points, 10 rebounds for double-double in win over No. RU surrendered a 10-point lead with 1:15 remaining on the clock. Senior Caleb McConnell was the first Rutgers player since Hamady N'Diaye to win a Defensive Player of the Year Award. Kristian Dyer. to be the Big Tens defensive player of the year. The caption read: Proverbs 3:5-6. His impact in many games isnt necessarily fully reflected in the box score. 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 . Hes fearless.. Caleb McConnell began playing basketball around eight years old, and his passion for the game has led him to plenty of success. "Hes got to get his timing back, but he causes major disruptions. It was just a no-brainer, McConnell said. 70413 lego - Der TOP-Favorit unserer Produkttester. Neither do we. All rights reserved (About Us). That is the minimum expectation from him across March, when Rutgers will play two more regular-season games . * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). That has made Rutgers a tough matchup regardless of the opponent. Im with this kid every day. 22 on the court for the first time this season. Your account has an invalid email address. JAMISON BATTLE WITH A BUZZER BEATER FOR @GopherMBB (via @CBBonFOX) pic.twitter.com/NPEFUfaxDa. The best insights from the ultimate insiders, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved. With two games left in the regular season, Rutgers very much controls their NCAA Tournament destiny. Here is the legendary play by McConnell that might just go down as the highlight of his Rutgers career at least so far. Still, McConnells basketball future was cloudy as the end of his senior season approached. 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. When visiting his dad in the summer, the routine was the same: hours spent at outdoor courts and in the local recreation center, where his aunt organized a basketball camp. 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 . I got to play for my brothers.. Hes not going to let anything bother him and hes not going to make any excuses about it. 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. 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. 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 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. Even by Rutgers basketball's historically painful standards, Thursday's loss at Minnesota ranks among the most infamous. . 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. Thank you to all the coaches and staff for supporting me and helping me evolve into the player and person that I am today. He has 2.3 assists a game. Whats next for Rutgers Athletics following the 2021-2022 season? YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Support NJ.com, Brian Fonseca | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, across his stomach in bold, black letters. Not too bad. Head coach Patrick Sellers and Steve Pikiell were assistants together at Central Connecticut State for two years around the millennium. Watching the play several times, it jumps out as symbolic of this season for Rutgers mens basketball. Pikiell and his staff loved what they saw on tape. N'Diaye did so in the Big East following the 2009-2010 season and McConnell . AP. Caleb McConnell (22) Guard - Caleb McConnell is the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, the only individual award given to a RU player since joining . "We are excited to welcome Caleb McConnell back for one more season," said head coach Steve Pikiell. They said he was tough to project because he played more than one position. The summer before his freshman season, McConnell recovered from surgery on the broken foot. 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.. (Photos courtesy of the McConnell family). Rutgers' Clifford Omoruyi blocked Brice Sensbaugh's shot with nine seconds left, and the Scarlet Knights led by three with seven seconds to go. 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. ICAgfSkod2luZG93LGRvY3VtZW50LCdzY3JpcHQnLCdkYXRhTGF5ZXInLCdH North Brunswick, New Jersey. The McConnell boys split their time between them, attending school in Florida, with summers in Ohio. As McConnell has stepped up offensively, he has frustrated opponents on the other end of the court. Legendarypic.twitter.com/T5jWZ81x4c, Matt Sugam (@MattSugam) February 10, 2022. Simply put, it changed the game. 19). The freshman had 19 points in the game and was a problem for the Scarlet Knights all night. Assisted by Caleb McConnell. Its a real morale booster to see Caleb on the floor," sophomore guard Jalen Miller said. Thanks for contacting us. bjsKICAgICAgICB3W2xdPXdbbF18fFtdO3dbbF0ucHVzaCh7J2d0bS5zdGFy The Scarlet Knights close out the regular season on the weekend at home against Penn State. bCk7CiAgfSkoKTsKPC9zY3JpcHQ+Cgo8bm9zY3JpcHQ+CiAgPGltZyBzcmM9 Thank you to my family for making me the man I am today and supporting me through every up and down. 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.