Woolfolk, the backup center, tallied 9 points on 4-of-4 shooting and added four boards and two steals. I appreciate the fans being patient with me and cheering me on and having my back.. 16 Ohio State 66-64 behind a 10-0 run in the final 3:48 of the game. Neither do we. As McConnell has stepped up offensively, he has frustrated opponents on the other end of the court. McConnell logged more than 10 points during each of his last three games started. INCREDIBLE BLOCK BY @caleb_mcco . Hes just tough. Latest on Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Caleb McConnell including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN. With two games left in the regular season, Rutgers very much controls their NCAA Tournament destiny. Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, News never stops. Im so grateful to have been blessed with this group of teammates. cG9XSlVIbnFWemRFYTd3JmFtcDtndG1fcHJldmlldz1lbnYtMSZhbXA7Z3Rt North Brunswick, New Jersey. 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. 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Rutgers Recruiting: Will Scarlet Knights make surprise push for Bronny James? Aaron Breitman. Rutgers guard Caleb McConnell is down to decision time when it comes to his basketball future. Cam Spencer (18 points on 6-8 shooting, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals) looks fully in the flow of Rutgers schemes. McConnell's rebounding average of 5.5 per game is just 0.2 higher than last season. AP Top 25 Poll: Rutgers drops out of national rankings once again NJ . cmlwdCc+PC9zY3JpcHQ+CjxkaXYgY2xhc3M9J3ZpZGVvLWNvbnRhaW5lcicg 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 He was a key member of the 2019-20 team that would have snapped Rutgers then 29-year NCAA Tournament drought had it not been for the coronavirus pandemic. The play also sent the RAC faithful into a frenzy the rest of the way that helped propel this team to victory. aWQ9J2RzX2RlZmF1bHRfYW5jaG9yJz48L2Rpdj4KPC9kaXY+CjwvZGl2PgoK, Certain Data by Sportradar and Stats Perform, PCEtLSBCZWdpbiBjb21TY29yZSBUYWcgLS0+Cgo8c2NyaXB0PgogIHZhciBf IHMuYXN5bmMgPSB0cnVlOwogICAgLy8gbG9hZGluZyB0aGUgZXZlcmdyZWVu Those cheers turned into a roar moments later, when the substitution was introduced over the public address system. Eventually, the outdoor courts in Jacksonville and Dayton became his home. Minnesota faces Wisconsin at home on Sunday while Rutgers plays host to Northwestern to wrap up their regular seasons. ESPN's projections for Rutgers basketball and their NCAA Tournament outlook? Caleb McConnell began playing basketball around eight years old, and his passion for the game has led him to plenty of success. 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. 16 Ohio State. LmpzcmRuLmNvbS9zL2NzLmpzP3A9MjI1NDYnIHR5cGU9J3RleHQvamF2YXNj Latest on Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Caleb McConnell including biography, career, awards and more on ESPN Sign up for the Rutgers Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. He has also been a rebounds machine of late, with 32 rebounds so far in 2023. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). I was just focused on making it down the floor and making the right plays," he explained. Was the new setting going to make things weird? He was a dogged worker, the rare player Briski had to ask to spend less time in the gym. 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. 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). 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. McConnells return comes at a crucial juncture for Rutgers (5-1), which enters the schedules biggest gauntlet: at Miami Wednesday, followed by Big Ten favorite Indiana at home, at Ohio State, and then home games against rival Seton Hall and Wake Forest. After school, hed practice and play with his Dunbar High School team. ZyAtLT4KCgo=, Enjoying TheKnightReport? 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. Its great to have him it gives me a lift.. Laser Tattoo Removal clinics in Taipei City at the best price. 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!. Was on the Watch List and a Semifinalist (top 5) for Naismith Defensive Player of the Year. That was until McConnell made up incredible ground and delivered as memorable a block as I can remember for this program. The summer after, he had surgery to repair his hip injuries. 12 Illinois (four). I wouldnt say 100 percent, but definitely healthy," McConnell said. Then, you factor in his rebounds and his assists, he does a lot of things for us that equate to winning. 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. "We are excited to welcome Caleb McConnell back for one more season," said head coach Steve Pikiell. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. Legendarypic.twitter.com/T5jWZ81x4c, Matt Sugam (@MattSugam) February 10, 2022. 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. His movement looked fine, although he seemed a gear short of his typical explosion. Pikiell and his staff loved what they saw on tape. Rutgers basketball makes a move down in CBS Sports projections from Jerry Palm. Another look at that block by @caleb_mcco cc @RutgersMBB pic.twitter.com/Tnj4oR0Lci. --------------------------------------------------------------, Talk about it inside The Round Table Message Board, Talk about it on the Rutgers Hoops Free Message Board, PHNjcmlwdD4KICAoZnVuY3Rpb24odyxkLHMsbCxpKXsKICAgICAgICBpZiAo JAMISON BATTLE WITH A BUZZER BEATER FOR @GopherMBB (via @CBBonFOX) pic.twitter.com/NPEFUfaxDa. With less than two full weeks left in January, he has 16 steals this month, including a season-high four on January eighth. ICAgfSkod2luZG93LGRvY3VtZW50LCdzY3JpcHQnLCdkYXRhTGF5ZXInLCdH 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. Get a yearly subscription for $99.95/year or $9.95/month. 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. I was like, lets just relax and let it come to me.. Find doctors, specialized in Cosmetology and compare prices, costs and reviews. Led by a dynamic backcourt, Miami owns a 10-point win over Providence and suffered an 18-point loss to Maryland. The Scarlet Knights are now 14-9 overall and 8-5 in Big Ten play. 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. Count them out at your own risk. 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. His father, a former college athlete and a decent playground hoops player in his own right, often joined his son and rarely went easy on him. Zi5wYXJlbnROb2RlLmluc2VydEJlZm9yZShqLGYpOwogICAgICAgIHdpbmRv Along with all that, McConnell also racked up a couple of different postseason honors. 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. https://rutgerswire.usatoday.com/2023/01/22/rutgers-caleb-mcconnell-is-having-an-impressive-last-dance/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. McConnell was selfless, a kid who loved basketball and hated to let anyone down. The brotherhood, the culture and the friendships we built with each other are going to last forever. 33: 26: 2:03: Foul on Antwone . The kids fearless, man. As he waited in the prison, Caleb McConnell didnt know what to expect. In unserem Vergleich haben wir die unterschiedlichsten 70413 lego am Markt unter die Lupe genommen und die wichtigsten Eigenschaften, die Kostenstruktur und die Bewertungen der Kunden abgewogen. Then came the texts and calls from teammates that all carried the same message: We really need you this year. Pikiell actually got Sellers his first college coaching job. 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. I was like, You know, hes right. I heard it from the crowd. Thank you to my family for making me the man I am today and supporting me through every up and down. 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 made three 3s and Dawson Garcia scored four points during the stretch. It was so frustrating for me at that time because its, like, Damn, I cant get a break, McConnell said. Hes fearless.. There are no statistics available for this player. ewogICAgYzE6ICIyIiwKICAgIGMyOiAiNzI0MTQ2OSIsCiAgICBjNTogIjIw No Rutgers fans, the chase down block by Caleb McConnell was not a dreamGame-saving. How do you define wealth and a good life? The sacrifices, the surgery, the waiting were worth it for that moment, McConnell said. He announced his decision with an Instagram video on June 1st "calling Rutgers Nation" from his hometown in Florida. "Spoke to Steve Pikiell a little bit ago. In fact, it was a voice from the crowd that helped him shake off some rust. He didnt lay down or come out or anything. Instead, Geo Baker hit a step back jumper to cut the lead to 64-62 at the two minute mark. 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. photo: Creative Commons / Gage Skidmore https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2./deed.en. Yesterday afternoon, senior guard Caleb McConnell of the Rutgers men's basketball team was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. 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. UNBREAKABLE.. Battles game-winning shot capped a 15-4 run in the final 1:15 for Minnesotas only lead of the game. Photo credit Rutgers Athletics. I love the fact that I can play him at almost any position while our younger guys are figuring out one position. Today, the word is tattooed across his stomach in bold, black letters. Support NJ.com, Brian Fonseca | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. That has made Rutgers a tough matchup regardless of the opponent. PSBkb2N1bWVudC5nZXRFbGVtZW50c0J5VGFnTmFtZSgic2NyaXB0IilbMF07 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. "I was just focused on making it down the floor and making the right plays," he explained. Caleb McConnell made the second of two free throws for Rutgers with 5.8 seconds left before Battle stole the win for the Gophers. Tomorrow marks the deadline for which McConnell can withdraw from the 2022 NBA Draft and return to Rutgers for one more season. March 2, 2022 6:24 am ET. However, his offensive rebounding rate in Big Ten play is 6.8%. The senior guard came through on the defensive end to save the game for Rutgers in the upset of No. Last season, McConnell led the Big Ten in steals with 2.2 per game. During the 2022-203 campaign, Rutgers has been one of the best teams in the Big Ten, as McConnell has continued to improve . Around the Big Ten: Where does Mike DeCourcy have the Big Ten teams in the NCAA Tournament? 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 love the fans, such a great atmosphere, a family feel, and I need that," McConnell said. "We've been trying to let these guys know we need more from them with me and Paul out, and theyve been bringing it," McConnell said. That is the minimum expectation from him across March, when Rutgers will play two more regular-season games . 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. JyZndG1fcHJldmlldz0nKydlbnYtMScrJyZndG1fY29va2llc193aW49eCc7 Golden Gophers forward Jameson Battle hit a game-winning buzzer-beater as the horn sounded to give Minnesota the 75-74 victory. He is the only Big Ten player to make the semifinalist cut. Here is the legendary play by McConnell that might just go down as the highlight of his Rutgers career at least so far. Men's Basketball In 2018, McConnell was a three-star prospect that was the 73rd-ranked shooting guard in the country. Clifford Omoruyi scored 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Rutgers (18-12, 10-9). dmFyIHMgPSBkb2N1bWVudC5jcmVhdGVFbGVtZW50KCJzY3JpcHQiKSwgZWwg The more Briski learned about him, the more there was to like. He scored 8 of the final 10 points and finished with a game high 25 points. 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 . GET TKR PREMIUM FREE FOR 30 DAYS CLICK HERE FOR MORE. Scarlet Nation continues to hear things are trending in that direction as McConnell could use an extra year to improve his draft stock. The summer before his freshman season, McConnell recovered from surgery on the broken foot. My friends would ask what I was doing or to hang out and Id tell them to meet me at the park. He returned in January as Rutgers went on a five-game losing streak that put its NCAA Tournament hopes in jeopardy. Hes not going to let anything bother him and hes not going to make any excuses about it. Everyone who follows Rutgers basketball knows that, and you could feel the appreciation in the stands Saturday. You saw the energy he brings," Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell said. He tallied 4 points on 2-of-5 shooting and added four rebounds, three assists and a block. His level of compete was one of the highest Ive ever seen at that age. As Rutgers looks to make a tournament run, McConnell will be critical. Chris Corso, A post shared by Rutgers Basketball (@rutgersmbb). dCc6CiAgICAgICAgbmV3IERhdGUoKS5nZXRUaW1lKCksZXZlbnQ6J2d0bS5q dy5fZGlkQXN5bmNJbmplY3RHb29nbGVUYWdNYW5hZ2VyID0gdHJ1ZTsKICAg Despite the bumps and bruises, McConnell progressed from a freshman reserve who displayed occasional glimpses of his potential to a sophomore starter. His 21 steals over a five-game stretch tied him for second most in the Big Ten since 2002-03. Caleb McConnell made the second of two free throws for Rutgers with 5.8 seconds left before Battle stole the win for the Gophers. Thanks for contacting us. 13 Wisconsin (six) and No. 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 is an unbelievable person and has been one of our best all-around players on both sides of the floor. . Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 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. Kristian Dyer. . His cousin dropped his head back and revealed a tattoo on his neck. 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. ESPN's projections for Rutgers basketball and their NCAA Tournament outlook? 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 biggest test of the season is set for Wednesday with a trip to Miami as part of the Big Ten-ACC Challenge. The kid just was relentless, he recalled. Right now its there for some stability.. It was just a no-brainer, McConnell said. All the things Ive been through and all the things Ive overcome, then you throw basketball in there and all the things I dealt with in my college career, I never folded, I never gave up on myself, McConnell said. Caleb McConnell UNBREAKABLE Rutgers MBB LLA . You cant replace 114 games of college experience and the intangibles he brings in terms of leadership and basketball IQ. 16 Ohio State, Had key chase-down block on breakaway layup attempt to spark 10-0 run to close out win over No. #1. Now he did this all while shooting 39.7% from the floor. If you look at our games, hes taking the best player and cutting their points in half. McConnell made his official visit to Rutgers in the spring and by the end of the weekend, he was a Scarlet Knight. bmV3cyUyRmNhbGViLW1jY29ubmVsbC1yZXR1cm5pbmctdG8tcnV0Z2Vycy1m eTpoaWRkZW4nIHdpZHRoPScwJz48L2lmcmFtZT4KPC9ub3NjcmlwdD4KCgo=, PGRpdiBjbGFzcz0ncmEtY29udGFpbmVyIGRpc3Ryb19hZCc+CjxkaXYgY2xh Contact him atjcarino@gannettnj.com. McConnell has posted a 42.0 field percentage after only shooting 39.7 percent from the field last season. 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. Rutgers falls to Minnesota at the buzzer, Scarlet Knights suffer gut-punch. With McConnell's return, Rutgers Basketball now has two open scholarships remaining. He kept going at dudes. 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. From top to bottom I think were good," McConnell said when asked to compare it to last year's NCAA qualifier. Rutgers basketball makes a move down in CBS Sports projections from Jerry Palm. 71 posts. Season-saving. In his final year as a Scarlet Knight, McConnell is having an unforgettable last dance and helping Rutgers earn national headlines. It was his way of getting me better. 0:49. So how did McConnell look? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. McConnell is one of three foundational veterans in the program, along with Omoruyi and senior point guard Paul Mulcahy. 0:05. ", Of the brace, he said, "It doesnt hinder my game. Verified. 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. Led Big Ten in steals, setting new career-high in steals with 70 on the season. Please check your email for a confirmation. It was a Lebron James level type of defensive play. Man, it felt good," McConnell said. News never stops. Hes always got something lingering, but just doesnt care. 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. McConnell isn't the only Scarlet Knight with Dayton roots. pic.twitter.com/TI9R6uK2z3. All I wanted to do was play basketball.. It will be the final home game of fifth-year senior Caleb McConnells career as he runs out of collegiate eligibility after this season. They said he was tough to project because he played more than one position. Im proud as hell of what hes accomplished, but I cant say Im surprised, Briski said. And yet, just like this team over the past month, McConnell fought back in the play and came through in the end. Rutgers is the last team in the NCAA Tournament? INDIANA BOYS BASKETBALL SECTIONAL SEMI-FINAL'S FRIDAY. Afterward, hed put up shots late into the night. He was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year last year and has been even better during the 2022-2023 campaign. aWdodD0nMCcgc3JjPSdodHRwczovL3d3dy5nb29nbGV0YWdtYW5hZ2VyLmNv McConnell is a tremendous defensive presence, blending natural athleticism with instincts and intelligence. Rutgers basketball has seen a slide in the latest analytics updates from KenPom. 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. How do you survive in here? McConnell asked. 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. In fact, it was a voice from the crowd that helped him shake off some rust. He announced his decision with an Instagram video on June 1st calling Rutgers Nation from his hometown in Florida. Leaving his mother, brothers, grandparents and friends was tough, but McConnell was committed to getting better. Caleb McConnell is a semifinalist for Naismith Men's Defensive Player of the Year. 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. On Thursday, Caleb McConnell was one of 15 players named to the 2023 Naismith National Defensive Player of the Year Watchlist. His work ethic was incredible, Bryant McConnell said. 19). Jun 01 The third son of high school sweethearts Bryant McConnell and Stefanie Kerlin, McConnell was 2 years old when his parents split. Thank you to the fans, the University and all who played a part in providing me this opportunity to play at Rutgers. The Rutgers guard is averaging a career-high 2.4 steals a game. 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. Support NJ.com, Brian Fonseca | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, across his stomach in bold, black letters. Im unbreakable because no matter what happens, Im still going to keep going and overcome all the challenges, all the injuries, all the setbacks, all the doubts. 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 . YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. As a fourth-year player this past season, McConnell . Battle was 7 of 15 from the floor and 6-of-13 shooting from long range. 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. 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. 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. He is an Associated Press Top 25 voter. Over the last five years, Caleb McConnell has been a steady presence in the Rutgers lineup. The NCAA opened a window for McConnell to return when it granted every Division I player a free year of eligibility that season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I just love being outside, playing outside, playing at the park all day. Mens Basketball Game Thread: Rutgers at Minnesota. Coaches and scouts said he was too skinny, which meant he would get pushed around by bigger players. c191Y2ZyPTAiIC8+Cjwvbm9zY3JpcHQ+CjwhLS0gRW5kIGNvbVNjb3JlIFRh 22 on the court for the first time this season. Your account has an invalid email address. 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. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The freshman had 19 points in the game and was a problem for the Scarlet Knights all night. I just started laughing and shaking my head when he told me, he said. Big Ten and Big East programs that once had shown interest hesitated to take him. Rutgers men's basketball guard Caleb McConnell was named a semifinalist on Tuesday for the Naismith Men's Defensive Player of the Year. Are Democrats excited about another Biden run? The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. 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. Head coach Patrick Sellers and Steve Pikiell were assistants together at Central Connecticut State for two years around the millennium. 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). 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. Y29tc2NvcmUgPSBfY29tc2NvcmUgfHwgW107CiAgX2NvbXNjb3JlLnB1c2go 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..