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Caleb McConnell put together a strong effort on both ends of the court, the Rutgers senior guard’s steady play keying a 74-64 win over Clemson on Tuesday night.
It was a breakout game offensively for the underappreciated McConnell, who scored 16 points and added six rebounds, two assists and a block in the Scarlet Knights most impressive win of the season. For McConnell, it was the first time all season that he scored double digits.
“Really, it’s not always about the offense. Everybody has been looking at the offensive side, especially me coming into this game. I feel like I affect the game in so many other ways than putting the ball in the basket, especially getting my teammates better,” McConnell said after the game.
“Especially getting this big win, that’s all that matters at the end of the day, it’s getting wins.”
Rutgers improved to 4-3 on the season with the win.
McConnell’s scoring this season has been a bit off. Despite being among the leaders in minutes played, three this season he failed to score. In two of those games, Rutgers has lost.
He averaged 6.7 points per game last year and came into Tuesday night averaging 3.3 points per game.
The win came against a Clemson side that made the NCAA Tournament last year. They lost in the first round to Rutgers.
The Tigers are now 5-3 on the season.
The win produced a dancing Steve Pikiell, the Rutgers head coach, when he entered the locker room.
“It’s lit, it’s always lit. When you get a big ‘W’ – it’s always lit,” McConnell said.
That winning feeling‼️#GardenStatement🛡️⚔️ pic.twitter.com/5r5A9AVNd4
— Rutgers Basketball 🏀 (@RutgersMBB) December 1, 2021