UConn's Jim Calhoun Returns After Medical Leave

Sports News - February 12th, 2010 - Written By Bryan Cross

Jim Calhoun has seen enough out of his team while gone and will return to Connecticut on Friday.

After taking care of health problems, Calhoun broke what was a seven-game absence from NCAA Basketball and will be back on the court to try and steer the Huskies away from a probable NIT bid. His first game will be Saturday against another bubble team, Cincinnati.

"I both felt that the time away was important for my personal and professional well-being and that I am ready to move ahead from this point at full speed," Calhoun said.

As he returns he finds his house a mess, losers in four of the last seven, including a 72-67 defeat to Syracuse on Wednesday. After making the Final Four last year, the Huskies look to be just a shell of their former selves despite four scorers in double-digits. They beat Texas in late January, but that victory is beginning to look less and less impressive with the Longhorns now losing five of seven.

"We still think we're pretty good," interim head coach George Blaney said. "We still think we can be a factor in every game we play in."

Calhoun missed three weeks while battling what some speculate were stress-related symptoms. Upon leaving, he and his doctor insisted his leave had nothing to do with prior ailments like cancer or broken bones.

According to ESPN, UConn players have sheepishly enjoyed their brief time without him because Blaney is far-more laid back and doesn't blow his lid when something goes wrong.

"I think initially it was easy because they know me and I've been around a while, especially with the older guys," Blaney said. "But I think as the time goes on, it's a little more difficult for them because they're used to his style and the way he runs practices. I would say it might be a little confusing to them at this stage."

The Huskies are 1-5 against top 25 teams, but certainly have an upcoming schedule that could provide a boost in the resume. Next Monday, they travel to fifth-ranked Villanova before heading to fourth-ranked West Virginia at the end of the month. A trip to South Florida may prove difficult as well.

Then it's off to the conference tournament with five ranked teams. Connecticut is 4-7 in the conference thus far with seven games left to play.