Caleb McConnel’s own thread

[RUSCFORMERLYRULOU]

Well deserved after I wrote him off earlier in the year. Clutch free throws, and what about that crazy pivot foot basket with the shot clock expiring? I actually think out of all the freshmen he has the best medium range shot. After a year in the weight room...who knows?

 

[G- RUnit]

Certainly best foul shooter. Very good form.

 

[shields]

Big shots.

 

[RUJMM78]

McDonnell has a variety of shots along with size that makes his offensive game promising for the future.Like other players he needs more consistency game to game because the team needs to score more points to close out games.

 

[higgins3]

So happy for him.

Tough kid!

 

[wheezer]

All four frosh, including the redshirt, have had their moments. I have to think these four are one of our best classes in a very long time

We praise McConnell here, the announcers had praise during the game for all the others

 

[Goku]

I love the bank shots. Love it when the players use the backboard well. I was a big fan of the 90s Bulls and no wing/guard used the glass more beautifully than Pippen.

 

[knightfan7]

Well deserved after I wrote him off earlier in the year. Clutch free throws, and what about that crazy pivot foot basket with the shot clock expiring? I actually think out of all the freshmen he has the best medium range shot. After a year in the weight room...who knows?

If a number of fans here had their way Mathis would have had his ship pulled before Dec 1 so don't feel alone. I don't know why you "wrote him off". We need to remember all freshmen aren't Zion Williamson. Most take time to get their feet under them.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Made the big foul shots. That means a lot to me.

We talk about CBI bids and all of that. The offseason is going to be a crucial time for Caleb. What happens in the next 6 months is going to go a long way in determining what his future will look like. He needs to get stronger and be able to fight thru screens. He needs to improve his handle. The good news is he can shoot, he is long, he will rebound, and looks like a good teammate.

 

[MV9000]

I love McConnells game. He really came into his own once he got adjusted.

Plays a decent point, Can knockdown open 3s, midrange shots and finish with contact. Never really plays too much out of control and his length allows him to be a solid contributor on the defensive end. He also seems like a happy, good kid. Excited for his future.

6 BIG TEN WINS!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[RutgHoops]

Made the big foul shots. That means a lot to me.

We talk about CBI bids and all of that. The offseason is going to be a crucial time for Caleb. What happens in the next 6 months is going to go a long way in determining what his future will look like. He needs to get stronger and be able to fight thru screens. He needs to improve his handle. The good news is he can shoot, he is long, he will rebound, and looks like a good teammate.

With Young and Mulcahy (likely) manning the PG spot in '19-'20 I think we are likely to see an even better McConnell going forward. Playing off the ball as a 2 or 3 will help McConnell's game a bunch (imo). Toss up between him and Myles for who has improved the most from Game 1 to Game 27.

 

[S_Janowski]

This is was the 2nd game Baker picked up two early fouls (other Illinois) and McConnell stepped right in gave us exactly what we needed.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

I think (I should say guess) it is Baker manning the PG with Mulcahy as a backup.

Myles has been very good in a position that it usually takes longer to get better.

Caleb has not been good as the backup point guard and better with Baker in the game. HOWEVER, last night the game was a game because of what the 2nd unit did AND he was the leader as the point guard.

 

[RU82]

A year or two in the weight room is going to take Caleb to another level. If this team is going to get into the top half of the B1G McConnell is going to be part of the reason why we get here. He’s been a pleasant surprise this year.

 

[knightfan7]

There is going to a knock down, drag out battle for minutes at the guard positions next year

 

[S_Janowski]

I think (I should say guess) it is Baker manning the PG with Mulcahy as a backup.

Myles has been very good in a position that it usually takes longer to get better.

Caleb has not been good as the backup point guard and better with Baker in the game. HOWEVER, last night the game was a game because of what the 2nd unit did AND he was the leader as the point guard.

He did the same thing vs. Illinois when Baker had to come out real early.

I think saying Caleb, who is a true frosh, has not a good backup point guard this year is pretty harsh.

 

[kcg88]

We're going to have a lot of combo guards next season. The guys who can defend and put the ball through the hoop are the ones that will play.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

He did the same thing vs. Illinois when Baker had to come out real early.

I think saying Caleb, who is a true frosh, has not a good backup point guard this year is pretty harsh.

It may be harsh, but it has been true. Outside of Illinois and last night Caleb has been awful without Baker in the game. It is a different story when he Baker is in the game.

Now I think it is a valid criticism of Pitino that he did not ratchet up the pressure when Geo came out of the game. That is what others teams have done. I think Pitino was over confident and felt his team was above adjusting to what Rutgers does. He felt if they played their game they would win.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

We're going to have a lot of combo guards next season. The guys who can defend and put the ball through the hoop are the ones that will play.

This!!!!

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

I think (I should say guess) it is Baker manning the PG with Mulcahy as a backup.

Myles has been very good in a position that it usually takes longer to get better.

Caleb has not been good as the backup point guard and better with Baker in the game. HOWEVER, last night the game was a game because of what the 2nd unit did AND he was the leader as the point guard.

If you don't get the hybrid wing for the last 2019 spot in recruiting and need to find 18 to 24 minutes a night at the 2 and 3 spots behind Mathis and Harper or potentially over Thiam and Kiss, you can play Caleb at the wing as a shooter. He's 6'6" and not super quick, but he probably matches up better with guarding someone bigger vs someone quicker.

Ironically. I think placing McConnell and Mulcahy as the wing defender and offensive player allows 40 minutes of play with a wing who can handle the ball, shoot or pass.....some call it a 3 guard offense, whatever it takes to get more playmakers, shooting and passers on the court.

I think we have solved the starting PG situation at the time being with Geo, mixed with Mulcahy and Young. McConnell as a wing shooter, focused on that and some point guard, just adds much more depth and lineups we can throw at teams next year.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

I agree with NJH here. I task Caleb to give us 15 minutes a night off the bench, off the ball, and with a focus of scoring and defense.

Next year I see a lot of guys playing 12-25 MPG on any given night. Baker and Eugene are constants. Mathis, McConnell, Young, Mulcahy, Kiss and Thiam will all be guys duking it out for minutes. Perfect scenario

 

[knights1212]

Caleb has really improved as the season has gone on. I am impressed with all 4 of our freshmen.

 

[BIGRUBIGDBIGredmachine]

McConnell had a strong D game too. Really impressed with his development.

 

[RU-ROCS]

From a kid who looked like a deer in the headlights his first few games, Caleb has certainly come a long way. Last night was not the first time the kid knocked down 2 huge FT's to secure a victory. He is very poised and calm in the big moments, especially for a freshman. That is hard to teach and will be a big asset for him moving forward.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

I see CC as a “6th man Award” type of guy, in conference, down the road.

 

[Degaz-RU]

Yeah, I think CC's future is at the 2/3 positions. He has the nicest shooting stroke of any of our guards/wings, but isn't really a guy who's going to create his own shot like Geo can. He is also a "plus" defender and rebounder.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

If Caleb got more friendly calls and FTs his stats would explode. Poor guy EARS fouls against him with his body control and ball control and he juts doesn't get the friendly whistle enough... and its not his fault. Was it against Iowa where he got tackled and no call? Maybe NW.. I forget.

 

[LOU-RU85]

It may be harsh, but it has been true. Outside of Illinois and last night Caleb has been awful without Baker in the game. It is a different story when he Baker is in the game.

Now I think it is a valid criticism of Pitino that he did not ratchet up the pressure when Geo came out of the game. That is what others teams have done. I think Pitino was over confident and felt his team was above adjusting to what Rutgers does. He felt if they played their game they would win.

I think Pitino was not able to ratchet up the pressure because his bench is too short. That would have taken too much out of his starters. JMHO.

 

[RutHut]

Has grown 2" since HS. Perhaps the best touch on the team.

 

[trotter]

Made the big foul shots. That means a lot to me.

We talk about CBI bids and all of that. The offseason is going to be a crucial time for Caleb. What happens in the next 6 months is going to go a long way in determining what his future will look like. He needs to get stronger and be able to fight thru screens. He needs to improve his handle. The good news is he can shoot, he is long, he will rebound, and looks like a good teammate.

With Young and Mulcahy (likely) manning the PG spot in '19-'20 I think we are likely to see an even better McConnell going forward. Playing off the ball as a 2 or 3 will help McConnell's game a bunch (imo). Toss up between him and Myles for who has improved the most from Game 1 to Game 27.

This.He will he hitting lots of 3's in his future.

 

[whofrewdatmataRU13]

Can shoot the ball and can get to the hoop. I see him playing major minutes next season at the 2/3

 

[Big East Beast]

Players often improve the most between fresh & soph yr. He’ll know what he’s in for going into next year and appears to be a heady kid who is quietly confident. His ability to score, defend and hit FTs are all very promising and as others have mentioned, he has nice size. Sky is the limit.