The Scarlet Knights senior being recognized for his elite defensive efforts this season. 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. Former Rutgers star Jason McCourty joins Good Morning Football following NFL retirement. He is one of two seniors named as a semifinalist. bS9jcy5qcyI7CiAgICBlbC5wYXJlbnROb2RlLmluc2VydEJlZm9yZShzLCBl He also drew a charge and dished out a point guard-quality assist. The latest stats, facts, news and notes on Caleb McConnell of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights to be the Big Tens defensive player of the year. Sign up for the Rutgers Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. 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. Rutgers is the last team in the NCAA Tournament? I feel like little stuff like that made me a bit tougher and have some more grit.. 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 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. 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. As a fourth-year player this past season, McConnell . Pikiell actually got Sellers his first college coaching job. Of course, he was ultimately named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. How much had he changed? UNCASVILLE, Conn. - Between them, Caleb McConnell and Paul Mulcahy have played 208 games for Rutgers basketball. 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. The 2022 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and one of the best players in the conference is back. That is the minimum expectation from him across March, when Rutgers will play two more regular-season games . His level of compete was one of the highest Ive ever seen at that age. Cam Spencer (18 points on 6-8 shooting, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals) looks fully in the flow of Rutgers schemes. McConnells has a decorated resume through 60 career starts and 114 games played. If you look at our games, hes taking the best player and cutting their points in half. He has 2.3 assists a game. Woolfolk, the backup center, tallied 9 points on 4-of-4 shooting and added four boards and two steals. ESPN's projections for Rutgers basketball and their NCAA Tournament outlook? In fact, it was a voice from the crowd that helped him shake off some rust. 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. As expected, rusty. Yesterday afternoon, senior guard Caleb McConnell of the Rutgers men's basketball team was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. 10 Iowa as he recovered from a back injury, Scored 12 points with 3 assists and four rebounds versus Ohio State (Jan. 9), Posted season-highs with 14 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals in win over Minnesota (Feb. 4). ewogICAgYzE6ICIyIiwKICAgIGMyOiAiNzI0MTQ2OSIsCiAgICBjNTogIjIw It was their own fault and the play started with a blown coverage. 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. 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. 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. I said, What are you talking about? Briski said. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Slot to Rutgers Scarlet Knights Newsletter. Was on the Watch List and a Semifinalist (top 5) for Naismith Defensive Player of the Year. bjsKICAgICAgICB3W2xdPXdbbF18fFtdO3dbbF0ucHVzaCh7J2d0bS5zdGFy Brian Fonseca may be reached at bfonseca@njadvancemedia.com. "Spoke to Steve Pikiell a little bit ago. MUNSTER SECTIONAL. He woke his dad at 6 a.m. every morning for rides to workouts with a personal trainer. All rights reserved (About Us). aWdodD0nMCcgc3JjPSdodHRwczovL3d3dy5nb29nbGV0YWdtYW5hZ2VyLmNv Join us to discuss the action as it happens live! Ive got to yank him out of the gym. 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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. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. He is a ferocious defender on and off the ball. Clifford Omoruyi scored 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Rutgers (18-12, 10-9). Hes been as good a player as there has been in the conference," Pikiell said. McConnell was the star of the historic win, scoring 13 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and playing his trademark defense. However, his offensive rebounding rate in Big Ten play is 6.8%. During the 2022-203 campaign, Rutgers has been one of the best teams in the Big Ten, as McConnell has continued to improve . He scored just 4 points, but had 4 rebounds, 4 steals and the all-important blocked shot. bmV3cyUyRmNhbGViLW1jY29ubmVsbC1yZXR1cm5pbmctdG8tcnV0Z2Vycy1m L3d3dy5nb29nbGV0YWdtYW5hZ2VyLmNvbS9ndG0uanM/aWQ9JytpK2RsKycm Please check your email for a confirmation. I was like, lets just relax and let it come to me.. 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. 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. Thank you to all the coaches and staff for supporting me and helping me evolve into the player and person that I am today. 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. 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. "I was just focused on making it down the floor and making the right plays," he explained. 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). #1. Written off, lost and bewildered. From the moment McConnell dribbled a ball at a local YMCA, he was hooked. I love the fact that I can play him at almost any position while our younger guys are figuring out one position. With 178 career steals he ties James Bailey.#TheKnighthood pic.twitter.com/z7B2L16nqz, Rutgers Mens Basketball (@RutgersMBB) January 12, 2023. Gambling problem? Coaches and scouts said he was too skinny, which meant he would get pushed around by bigger players. https://rutgerswire.usatoday.com/2023/01/22/rutgers-caleb-mcconnell-is-having-an-impressive-last-dance/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 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. b3ItMjAyMi0yMy1zZWFzb24mYzU9MjAyMjczMzE0MCZjdj0yLjAmY2o9MSZj 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. January 22, 2023 7:47 pm ET. The Scarlet Knights are now 14-9 overall and 8-5 in Big Ten play. As Rutgers looks to make a tournament run, McConnell will be critical. 13 Michigan State and No. 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. Last season, McConnell led the Big Ten in steals with 2.2 per game. McConnell, teary-eyed and frustrated when he lost, often talked about quitting, but his dad would not let him. Rutgers falls to Minnesota at the buzzer, Scarlet Knights suffer gut-punch. No Rutgers fans, the chase down block by Caleb McConnell was not a dreamGame-saving. 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. Everyone who follows Rutgers basketball knows that, and you could feel the appreciation in the stands Saturday. He is the only Big Ten player to make the semifinalist cut. 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 a match made in heaven, Briski said. Z3RtX2F1dGg9JysnS2hINmhlQ3BvV0pVSG5xVnpkRWE3dycrCiAgICAgICAg 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. 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. Tomorrow marks the deadline for which McConnell can withdraw from the 2022 NBA Draft and return to . He has been more involved offensively and is taking advantage of his opportunities. Over the last five years, Caleb McConnell has been a steady presence in the Rutgers lineup. He was rewarded with the honor of moving Rutgers name to the next stage of the bracket. PSBkb2N1bWVudC5nZXRFbGVtZW50c0J5VGFnTmFtZSgic2NyaXB0IilbMF07 The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Meanwhile, McConnell developed and grew as a player. Eventually, the outdoor courts in Jacksonville and Dayton became his home. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us). The summer before his freshman season, McConnell recovered from surgery on the broken foot. Contact him atjcarino@gannettnj.com. 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. McConnell is a tremendous defensive presence, blending natural athleticism with instincts and intelligence. 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. 11.3K followers. "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. Minnesota won 75-74. Men's Basketball 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. 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). "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. d2luZG93Ll9kaWRBc3luY0luamVjdEdvb2dsZVRhZ01hbmFnZXIpIHJldHVy He was previously selected to the watchlist last month. Watching the play several times, it jumps out as symbolic of this season for Rutgers mens basketball. Hes not soft. 0:49. "Certainly for the first time these guys being on this stage, they were locked in from the beginning," Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell said. 13 Michigan State (four) and No. 1,244 following. Rutgers men's basketball guard Caleb McConnell was named a semifinalist on Tuesday for the Naismith Men's Defensive Player of the Year. Rutgers basketball has seen a slide in the latest analytics updates from KenPom. INDIANA BOYS BASKETBALL SECTIONAL SEMI-FINAL'S FRIDAY. 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. Thank you to my family for making me the man I am today and supporting me through every up and down. Game speed is different than practice; you cant simulate any type of game speed. 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!. Around the Big Ten: Where does Mike DeCourcy have the Big Ten teams in the NCAA Tournament? Led Big Ten in steals, setting new career-high in steals with 70 on the season. Those cheers turned into a roar moments later, when the substitution was introduced over the public address system. The Rutgers guard is averaging a career-high 2.4 steals a game. He is an Associated Press Top 25 voter. Big Ten; New York City Sports; Rutgers Scarlet Knights; College Sports; Sports 71 posts. 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 . VE0tTUY2UFhYQycpOwo8L3NjcmlwdD4KPG5vc2NyaXB0Pgo8aWZyYW1lIGhl 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). A three-star recruit, he had nowhere to go. It was just a no-brainer, McConnell said. 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.. 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. The freshman had 19 points in the game and was a problem for the Scarlet Knights all night. When McConnell got to college, his dad finally confessed. 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. 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. What a spark for @RutgersMBB! Scarlet Nation continues to hear things are trending in that direction as McConnell could use an extra year to improve his draft stock. 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 . Over the last five years, Caleb McConnell has been a steady presence in the Rutgers lineup. It will be the final home game of fifth-year senior Caleb McConnell's career as he runs out of collegiate eligibility after this season. The Scarlet Knights close out the regular season on the weekend at home against Penn State. 22 on the court for the first time this season. That has made Rutgers a tough matchup regardless of the opponent. Isiah Pacheco continues to impress with Kansas City Chiefs, named lead kick returner for preseason. Are Democrats excited about another Biden run? Neither do we. 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. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 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. 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. Laser Tattoo Removal clinics in Taipei City at the best price. How do you define wealth and a good life? He is rarely the Scarlet Knights top scorer, but he creates scoring chances for himself and his teammates because of his defensive ability. We've received your submission. 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. 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.. Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. At least one Big East coach, to Briskis amazement, said he was soft. Latest on Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Caleb McConnell including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN. MARCH. 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 . INCREDIBLE BLOCK BY @caleb_mccoWhat a spark for @RutgersMBB! 33: 26: 2:03: Foul on Antwone . 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. 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. --------------------------------------------------------------, Talk about it inside The Round Table Message Board, Talk about it on the Rutgers Hoops Free Message Board, PHNjcmlwdD4KICAoZnVuY3Rpb24odyxkLHMsbCxpKXsKICAgICAgICBpZiAo Legendarypic.twitter.com/T5jWZ81x4c, Matt Sugam (@MattSugam) February 10, 2022. Dave Briski, head coach at Spire Academy, watched from the stands as McConnell, then a junior at Dunbar High, dominated his opponents. Find doctors, specialized in Cosmetology and compare prices, costs and reviews. X2Nvb2tpZXNfd2luPXgnIHN0eWxlPSdkaXNwbGF5Om5vbmU7dmlzaWJpbGl0 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. pic.twitter.com/TI9R6uK2z3. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. The kids a dog.. Mens Basketball Game Thread: Rutgers at Minnesota. Rutgers basketball makes a move down in CBS Sports projections from Jerry Palm. Leaving his mother, brothers, grandparents and friends was tough, but McConnell was committed to getting better. The Jacksonville native has seen his playing time rise and has shown that he can be a veteran leader. ", Of the brace, he said, "It doesnt hinder my game. 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. 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. dCc6CiAgICAgICAgbmV3IERhdGUoKS5nZXRUaW1lKCksZXZlbnQ6J2d0bS5q Theyve been down and out more times than I can count. 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. What makes McConnell so valuable is how he impacts a game in multiple ways. Golden Gophers forward Jameson Battle hit a game-winning buzzer-beater as the horn sounded to give Minnesota the 75-74 victory. 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 Of course, he hustled. 19). Imh0dHBzOi8vc2Iuc2NvcmVjYXJkcmVzZWFyY2guY29tL3A/YzE9MiZjMj03 12 Illinois (four). Caleb McConnell UNBREAKABLE Rutgers MBB LLA . caleb mcconnell rutgers tattoogeorgia foraging laws. and Caleb McConnell then made one of two for Rutgers. MjQxNDY5JmM3PWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGcnV0Z2Vycy5yaXZhbHMuY29tJTJG Sign up for the Rutgers Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. And yet, just like this team over the past month, McConnell fought back in the play and came through in the end. Visit ESPN for the play-by-play of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers NCAAM basketball game on 3 March 2023 . And he was tougher than Briski could have imagined. 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. North Brunswick, New Jersey. Led by a dynamic backcourt, Miami owns a 10-point win over Providence and suffered an 18-point loss to Maryland. Support NJ.com, Brian Fonseca | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. The McConnell boys split their time between them, attending school in Florida, with summers in Ohio. 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. 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. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. In 2018, McConnell was a three-star prospect that was the 73rd-ranked shooting guard in the country. Im so grateful to have been blessed with this group of teammates. They were wonderful co-parents who remain good friends to this day, but the physical distance between them was tough on their sons. pic . We cant do it without you. The play also sent the RAC faithful into a frenzy the rest of the way that helped propel this team to victory. Its about me finding the right time and my spots in the game, Miller said. 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. Caleb McConnell is coming back for one more year. Rutgers' Clifford Omoruyi blocked Brice Sensbaugh's shot with nine seconds left, and the Scarlet Knights led by three with seven seconds to go. Instead, Geo Baker hit a step back jumper to cut the lead to 64-62 at the two minute mark. With less than two full weeks left in January, he has 16 steals this month, including a season-high four on January eighth. "We are excited to welcome Caleb McConnell back for one more season," said head coach Steve Pikiell. He did that every day. 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 . All it takes is perseverance, keeping my head down and keep going.. 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. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. McConnell made the heroic play with four fouls and put himself on the line physically as well to make the game saving block. 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. It would be a fitting award to conclude an arduous college basketball career that few believed was possible. c3M9J3ZpZGVvLWFkLXdyYXBwZXInPgo8c2NyaXB0IGFzeW5jIHNyYz0nLy9j Neither took the court Friday for the Scarlet Knights' first test . The summer after, he had surgery to repair his hip injuries. Had streak of four games of over four+ steals to key wins over No. Climbing RU's all-time leader board forcareer steals. IS. Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, News never stops. Big Ten and Big East programs that once had shown interest hesitated to take him. Rutgers Recruiting: Will Scarlet Knights make surprise push for Bronny James? Caleb McConnell made the second of two free throws for Rutgers with 5.8 seconds left before Battle stole the . With two games left in the regular season, Rutgers very much controls their NCAA Tournament destiny. He tallied 4 points on 2-of-5 shooting and added four rebounds, three assists and a block. It was his way of getting me better. 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. Jun 01 Mulcahy remains sidelined indefinitely by left shoulder injury; Pikiell said he's been cleared to practice but not for contact. "And as a competitor, Ive got to rise to the occasion.. Caleb McConnell was fouled . I have so much love for them, and I wouldnt be where I am without them. moving Rutgers name to the next stage of the bracket. We miss having you out there. Rutgers guard Caleb McConnell is a contender for the Big Ten's Defender of the Year award. When the Scarlet Knights opened 7-1, he was dying to join them. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. It will be fascinating to see how his hot hand translates to the upcoming spike in competition. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. His 21 steals over a five-game stretch tied him for second most in the Big Ten since 2002-03. He is averaging 6.5 points per game, 5.2 assists and 2.3 rebounds. 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.