UConn Huskies men’s basketball coach Jim Calhoun has been away from the team for their last six games as he battles with spinal stenosis. But after meeting with his doctor on Wednesday, it looks as though he may get some relief through a surgical procedure.
Calhoun will undergo the procedure on Monday and have to spend a night or two in the hospital. So for the time being, he’ll miss Saturday’s game against Syracuse and next Tuesday’s game in Providence. Whether or not he returns for the finale, will be up to him and his doctors.
Here’s the full release from UConn:
STORRS, Conn. – University of Connecticut men’s basketball coach Jim Calhoun will undergo a surgical procedure Monday to help alleviate the spinal stenosis that has forced him to take a medical leave of absence.
Calhoun is expected to be hospitalized for one or two nights, followed by a recovery period at home. He will not coach the Huskies’ games against Syracuse on Saturday or at Providence on Tuesday, the seventh and eighth games that the Hall of Fame coach has missed due to the lower back condition. His coaching status will then be evaluated on a day-to-day basis.
“I’m glad we have finally determined the best course of treatment to deal with the problem,” Calhoun said. “I’m looking forward to having the procedure done, hopefully recovering as quickly as possible, and putting it all in the past.”
The Huskies play host to Pittsburgh in their final regular-season game on March 3 at Gampel Pavilion. Postseason play begins with the BIG EAST Championship on March 6-10 in New York City.
Associate head coach George Blaney will continue in charge of the team in Calhoun’s absence, with Kevin Ollie, Glen Miller, and Karl Hobbs serving as assistant coaches.
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Photo credit: AP Photo
