I got to play for my brothers.. Still, McConnells basketball future was cloudy as the end of his senior season approached. Rutgers (18-12 overall, 10-9 Big Ten) led this game through 39 minutes and 59.9 seconds, until Jamison Battle's 3-pointer fell through the net as the buzzer sounded. Support NJ.com, Brian Fonseca | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. 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. Get a yearly subscription for $99.95/year or $9.95/month. --------------------------------------------------------------, Talk about it inside The Round Table Message Board, Talk about it on the Rutgers Hoops Free Message Board, PHNjcmlwdD4KICAoZnVuY3Rpb24odyxkLHMsbCxpKXsKICAgICAgICBpZiAo He is averaging 6.5 points per game, 5.2 assists and 2.3 rebounds. 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. 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. 28,939. 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. 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. He scored 8 of the final 10 points and finished with a game high 25 points. Game speed is different than practice; you cant simulate any type of game speed. There are no statistics available for this player. Rutgers guard Caleb McConnell is down to decision time when it comes to his basketball future. During the 2022-203 campaign, Rutgers has been one of the best teams in the Big Ten, as McConnell has continued to improve his game. Battle was 7 of 15 from the floor and 6-of-13 shooting from long range. photo: Creative Commons / Gage Skidmore https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2./deed.en. 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. Caleb McConnell is coming back for one more year. 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. bS9jcy5qcyI7CiAgICBlbC5wYXJlbnROb2RlLmluc2VydEJlZm9yZShzLCBl Battle's game-winn 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. 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. INDIANA BOYS BASKETBALL SECTIONAL SEMI-FINAL'S FRIDAY. X2Nvb2tpZXNfd2luPXgnIHN0eWxlPSdkaXNwbGF5Om5vbmU7dmlzaWJpbGl0 Pikiell actually got Sellers his first college coaching job. Im with this kid every day. 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. 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. Written off, lost and bewildered. On Thursday, Caleb McConnell was one of 15 players named to the 2023 Naismith National Defensive Player of the Year Watchlist. McConnell announced the decision to declare for the 2022 NBA Draft on March 28th with a post on Instagram that read as follows: These last four years were amazing! The McConnell boys split their time between them, attending school in Florida, with summers in Ohio. That is the furthest thing from his mind. Baker scored the final five points for Rutgers after the Scarlet Knights built an 11-point lead and nearly gave it all away. bS9ucy5odG1sP2lkPUdUTS1NRjZQWFhDJmFtcDtndG1fYXV0aD1LaEg2aGVD The Jacksonville native has seen his playing time rise and has shown that he can be a veteran leader. UNBREAKABLE.. Was on the Watch List and a Semifinalist (top 5) for Naismith Defensive Player of the Year. In his final year as a Scarlet Knight, McConnell is having an unforgettable last dance and helping Rutgers earn national headlines. Here is the legendary play by McConnell that might just go down as the highlight of his Rutgers career at least so far. 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. MjI3MzMxNDAiLAogICAgYzc6ICJodHRwczovL3J1dGdlcnMucml2YWxzLmNv 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. McConnell, who led the conference with 70 steals last season, decided for one last ride with his beloved Scarlet Knights after working out with several NBA teams this offseason. College players have until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday to withdraw from the 2022 NBA Draft and retain their college eligibility. Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell reacts during Rutgers' loss to Minnesota on March 2. Watching the play several times, it jumps out as symbolic of this season for Rutgers mens basketball. His cousins story was similar to thousands across the country a good kid, McConnell believed, who got caught in a bad situation and was paying the price for it and he was about to see him for the first time in four years. a cross-court sprint into a contested lay-up. We miss having you out there. The caption read: Proverbs 3:5-6. Rutgers is the last team in the NCAA Tournament? According to a former coach, he is also toughest damn dude in the Big Ten.. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. Please update it here. 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. Battle made three 3s and Dawson Garcia scored four points during the stretch. 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. moving Rutgers name to the next stage of the bracket. Here is the legendary play by McConnell that might just go down as the highlight of his Rutgers career at least so far. McConnell was selfless, a kid who loved basketball and hated to let anyone down. Not too bad. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. Now he did this all while shooting 39.7% from the floor. 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. All rights reserved (About Us). Battles game-winning shot capped a 15-4 run in the final 1:15 for Minnesotas only lead of the game. Baker was sensational. c191Y2ZyPTAiIC8+Cjwvbm9zY3JpcHQ+CjwhLS0gRW5kIGNvbVNjb3JlIFRh McConnell embraced the physicality and the competition, quickly going from the skinny kid everyone wanted guarding them to their first choice when picking teams. 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. So how did McConnell look? MjQxNDY5JmM3PWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGcnV0Z2Vycy5yaXZhbHMuY29tJTJG Head coach Patrick Sellers and Steve Pikiell were assistants together at Central Connecticut State for two years around the millennium. As Rutgers looks to make a tournament run, McConnell will be critical. Through six games he's been Rutgers' best all-around player this season. "And as a competitor, Ive got to rise to the occasion.. The best insights from the ultimate insiders, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved. McConnell would bring veteran leadership back to the team and he was also named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year last season. INCREDIBLE BLOCK BY @caleb_mccoWhat a spark for @RutgersMBB! 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. 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 . My teammates really helped me find my spots by sharing the game., Added Pikiell: Real pleased with what he gave us hes been playing well for us in the absence of Paul and Caleb.. 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. His cousin dropped his head back and revealed a tattoo on his neck. Led Big Ten in steals, setting new career-high in steals with 70 on the season. Jun 01 "And since we have such a different dynamic (in terms of personnel fit), I think this is actually a better team.. https://rutgerswire.usatoday.com/2022/03/02/caleb-mcconnell-is-a-semifinalist-for-naismith-mens-defensive-player-of-the-year/, Naismith Mens Defensive Player of the Year. He 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. Even by Rutgers basketball's historically painful standards, Thursday's loss at Minnesota ranks among the most infamous. As McConnell has stepped up offensively, he has frustrated opponents on the other end of the court. Today, the word is tattooed across his stomach in bold, black letters. Join us to discuss the action as it happens live! The Scarlet Knights senior being recognized for his elite defensive efforts this season. 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. 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 .