caleb mcconnell rutgers tattoo caleb mcconnell rutgers tattoo

McConnell, teary-eyed and frustrated when he lost, often talked about quitting, but his dad would not let him. That label of this soft, skinny kid, I think it pissed him off, quite frankly.. All McConnell needed was a chance, and Rutgers was the one that gave it to him. INCREDIBLE BLOCK BY @caleb_mcco . "It felt good to be back out there with my teammates, my brothers, and hear the crowd cheering.. VE0tTUY2UFhYQycpOwo8L3NjcmlwdD4KPG5vc2NyaXB0Pgo8aWZyYW1lIGhl Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. He is an Associated Press Top 25 voter. The play also sent the RAC faithful into a frenzy the rest of the way that helped propel this team to victory. He is an unbelievable person and has been one of our best all-around players on both sides of the floor. Thanks for contacting us. 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. Then came the texts and calls from teammates that all carried the same message: We really need you this year. 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 was previously selected to the watchlist last month. Woolfolk, the backup center, tallied 9 points on 4-of-4 shooting and added four boards and two steals. The sacrifices, the surgery, the waiting were worth it for that moment, McConnell said. 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. And he was tougher than Briski could have imagined. I think hes the best and the most versatile defender in the league, Pikiell said. aWQ9J2RzX2RlZmF1bHRfYW5jaG9yJz48L2Rpdj4KPC9kaXY+CjwvZGl2PgoK, Certain Data by Sportradar and Stats Perform, PCEtLSBCZWdpbiBjb21TY29yZSBUYWcgLS0+Cgo8c2NyaXB0PgogIHZhciBf At least one Big East coach, to Briskis amazement, said he was soft. He woke his dad at 6 a.m. every morning for rides to workouts with a personal trainer. MjI3MzMxNDAiLAogICAgYzc6ICJodHRwczovL3J1dGdlcnMucml2YWxzLmNv "I love the fans, such a great atmosphere, a family feel, and I need that," McConnell said. ewogICAgYzE6ICIyIiwKICAgIGMyOiAiNzI0MTQ2OSIsCiAgICBjNTogIjIw c191Y2ZyPTAiIC8+Cjwvbm9zY3JpcHQ+CjwhLS0gRW5kIGNvbVNjb3JlIFRh dCc6CiAgICAgICAgbmV3IERhdGUoKS5nZXRUaW1lKCksZXZlbnQ6J2d0bS5q 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). We've received your submission. 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. Meanwhile, McConnell developed and grew as a player. 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. 16 Ohio State (four), No. Please update it here. Support NJ.com, Brian Fonseca | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. Thank you to the fans, the University and all who played a part in providing me this opportunity to play at Rutgers. 16 Ohio State, Had key chase-down block on breakaway layup attempt to spark 10-0 run to close out win over No. It was just a no-brainer, McConnell said. That is the minimum expectation from him across March, when Rutgers will play two more regular-season games . bjsKICAgICAgICB3W2xdPXdbbF18fFtdO3dbbF0ucHVzaCh7J2d0bS5zdGFy 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. INDIANA BOYS BASKETBALL SECTIONAL SEMI-FINAL'S FRIDAY. Im with this kid every day. https://rutgerswire.usatoday.com/2023/01/22/rutgers-caleb-mcconnell-is-having-an-impressive-last-dance/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 13 Michigan State and No. N'Diaye did so in the Big East following the 2009-2010 season and McConnell . 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. 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. Rutgers mens basketball guard Caleb McConnell was named a semifinalist on Tuesday for the Naismith Mens Defensive Player of the Year. He did that every day. Not too bad. Yes, Rutgers basketball fans fully grasped the importance of seeing No. 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. College players have until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday to withdraw from the 2022 NBA Draft and retain their college eligibility. The senior guard came through on the defensive end to save the game for Rutgers in the upset of No. pic . 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. Caleb McConnell UNBREAKABLE Rutgers MBB LLA . I was just focused on making it down the floor and making the right plays," he explained. He returned in January as Rutgers went on a five-game losing streak that put its NCAA Tournament hopes in jeopardy. 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. His senior year in high school, the question about him was, Are you soft? and now, he might be the toughest damn dude in the Big Ten, which might be the toughest conference in the country. As he watched practice following his daily rehab sessions, he could see the chemistry and the potential for a historic season. Minnesota won 75-74. Ive got to yank him out of the gym. Minnesota faces Wisconsin at home on Sunday while Rutgers plays host to Northwestern to wrap up their regular seasons. bD0nK2w6Jyc7ai5hc3luYz10cnVlO2ouc3JjPQogICAgICAgICdodHRwczov 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. Visit ESPN for the play-by-play of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers NCAAM basketball game on 3 March 2023 . Caleb McConnell was fouled . Those three three years of eating, sleeping and breathing basketball turned McConnell into a Division I prospect. Last year, McConnell averaged 7.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists . He always wanted to get better.. Rutgers guard Caleb McConnell is a contender for the Big Ten's Defender of the Year award. Instead, Geo Baker hit a step back jumper to cut the lead to 64-62 at the two minute mark. Leaving his mother, brothers, grandparents and friends was tough, but McConnell was committed to getting better. pic.twitter.com/TI9R6uK2z3. So how did McConnell look? The latest stats, facts, news and notes on Caleb McConnell of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 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. The McConnell boys split their time between them, attending school in Florida, with summers in Ohio. 22 on the court for the first time this season. UNCASVILLE, Conn. - Between them, Caleb McConnell and Paul Mulcahy have played 208 games for Rutgers basketball. 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. Still, McConnells basketball future was cloudy as the end of his senior season approached. He also added 7.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. ZyAtLT4KCgo=, Enjoying TheKnightReport? 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. "I was just focused on making it down the floor and making the right plays," he explained. d2luZG93Ll9kaWRBc3luY0luamVjdEdvb2dsZVRhZ01hbmFnZXIpIHJldHVy 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. 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 . 33: 26: 2:03: Foul on Antwone . 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. The Scarlet Knights will have to work to earn a bid to the tournament. The kid just was relentless, he recalled. Of course, he was ultimately named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Caleb has given up so much because he believes what hell achieve in the end.. Along with all that, McConnell also racked up a couple of different postseason honors. "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 won a game in astounding fashion in the midst of a brutal stretch of the season that theyre turning into opportunity. It was so frustrating for me at that time because its, like, Damn, I cant get a break, McConnell said. 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. I always think in my head, Im unbreakable. I can overcome all those things. The third son of high school sweethearts Bryant McConnell and Stefanie Kerlin, McConnell was 2 years old when his parents split. MARCH. 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. He is the only Big Ten player to make the semifinalist cut. 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. Around the Big Ten: Where does Mike DeCourcy have the Big Ten teams in the NCAA Tournament? The senior guard has dominated low-major foes just like he did at Loyola-Maryland. Game speed is different than practice; you cant simulate any type of game speed. 28,939. Feb 20, 2023. dmFyIHMgPSBkb2N1bWVudC5jcmVhdGVFbGVtZW50KCJzY3JpcHQiKSwgZWwg CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Slot to Rutgers Scarlet Knights Newsletter. Jun 01 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. He announced his decision with an Instagram video on June 1st calling Rutgers Nation from his hometown in Florida. 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 . McConnell is one of three foundational veterans in the program, along with Omoruyi and senior point guard Paul Mulcahy. 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. North Brunswick, New Jersey. He has also been a rebounds machine of late, with 32 rebounds so far in 2023. 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. Rutgers guard Caleb McConnell is down to decision time when it comes to his basketball future. MjQxNDY5JmM3PWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGcnV0Z2Vycy5yaXZhbHMuY29tJTJG Led Big Ten in steals, setting new career-high in steals with 70 on the season. Rutgers basketball makes a move down in CBS Sports projections from Jerry Palm. My friends would ask what I was doing or to hang out and Id tell them to meet me at the park. 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. Rutgers basketball has seen a slide in the latest analytics updates from KenPom. The Scarlet Knights are now 14-9 overall and 8-5 in Big Ten play. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Whats next for Rutgers Athletics following the 2021-2022 season? Jacob Young and Caleb McConnell both scored 13 points and Ron Harper Jr. added 10. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Those cheers turned into a roar moments later, when the substitution was introduced over the public address system. With less than two full weeks left in January, he has 16 steals this month, including a season-high four on January eighth. 12 Illinois (four). He is one of two seniors named as a semifinalist. 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. 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. cyd9KTt2YXIgZj1kLmdldEVsZW1lbnRzQnlUYWdOYW1lKHMpWzBdLAogICAg Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 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. Bryant returned to his roots in Dayton, Ohio, while Stefanie followed her family to Jacksonville, Fla. Thank you to my family for making me the man I am today and supporting me through every up and down. Rutgers falls to Minnesota at the buzzer, Scarlet Knights suffer gut-punch. "And as a competitor, Ive got to rise to the occasion.. 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. 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. Here is the legendary play by McConnell that might just go down as the highlight of his Rutgers career at least so far. c3M9J3ZpZGVvLWFkLXdyYXBwZXInPgo8c2NyaXB0IGFzeW5jIHNyYz0nLy9j 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. 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 biggest test of the season is set for Wednesday with a trip to Miami as part of the Big Ten-ACC Challenge. 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. Battle was 7 of 15 from the floor and 6-of-13 shooting from long range. 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. bS9jcy5qcyI7CiAgICBlbC5wYXJlbnROb2RlLmluc2VydEJlZm9yZShzLCBl 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. Former Rutgers star Jason McCourty joins Good Morning Football following NFL retirement. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Golden Gophers forward Jameson Battle hit a game-winning buzzer-beater as the horn sounded to give Minnesota the 75-74 victory. How do you define wealth and a good life? bCk7CiAgfSkoKTsKPC9zY3JpcHQ+Cgo8bm9zY3JpcHQ+CiAgPGltZyBzcmM9 His cousin dropped his head back and revealed a tattoo on his neck. The more Briski learned about him, the more there was to like. All I wanted to do was play basketball.. All it takes is perseverance, keeping my head down and keep going.. Pikiell actually got Sellers his first college coaching job. Mulcahy remains sidelined indefinitely by left shoulder injury; Pikiell said he's been cleared to practice but not for contact. Baker was sensational. If you look at our games, hes taking the best player and cutting their points in half. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). 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. Scarlet Nation continues to hear things are trending in that direction as McConnell could use an extra year to improve his draft stock. 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.. The Scarlet Knights senior being recognized for his elite defensive efforts this season. That was until McConnell made up incredible ground and delivered as memorable a block as I can remember for this program. When McConnell got to college, his dad finally confessed. --------------------------------------------------------------, Talk about it inside The Round Table Message Board, Talk about it on the Rutgers Hoops Free Message Board, PHNjcmlwdD4KICAoZnVuY3Rpb24odyxkLHMsbCxpKXsKICAgICAgICBpZiAo Call 1-800-GAMBLER. I was like, You know, hes right. I heard it from the crowd. 16 Ohio State. #1. It was their own fault and the play started with a blown coverage. Its a real morale booster to see Caleb on the floor," sophomore guard Jalen Miller said. Hes not going to let anything bother him and hes not going to make any excuses about it. Caleb McConnell made the second of two free throws for Rutgers with 5.8 seconds left before Battle stole the . 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 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.