UConn’s Calhoun to miss 3rd game on medical leave, still no timetable for return to bench

Calhoun to miss 3rd game on medical leave

STORRS, Conn. — Connecticut men’s basketball coach Jim Calhoun remains on medical leave and will miss Wednesday’s Big East game at Providence.

Calhoun, who left the team a week ago, seems to be doing well and is “talking more aggressively” on the phone, said associate head coach George Blaney, who led the No. 19 Huskies (13-6, 3-3) to wins last week over St. John’s and then-No. 1 Texas.

Athletic Director Jeff Hathaway has said the decision on when Calhoun will return will be made by the coach and Dr. Peter Schulman, his primary-care physician.

“They’re taking it pretty much day to day, and I think he’s listening to Dr. Schulman,” Blaney said. “When he’s going to see him again, I don’t really know that. I assume it will be shortly and they’ll make some more decisions as they go from there.”

School officials have not said what is ailing the 67-year-old Hall of Famer, but said it has nothing to do with Calhoun’s three bouts with cancer and is not related to his heart.

Guard Kemba Walker said the longer the coach is away, the more concerned the team becomes.

“We never knew a time when he was coming back, and as of now, we still don’t know,” Walker said. “Of course we’re getting worried, but he’s a fighter and we know he’ll be back shortly.”

Forward Gavin Edwards said he would have been very surprised to see Calhoun back this soon.

“That would be a little odd if he comes back after we win the Texas game, after only being out like three days, or something like that,” he joked. “That would be a little suspect to me.”

UConn will be looking for its first real road win against the Friars (11-8, 3-4). They are 0-3 as a visiting team this season and 1-2 at neutral sites.

Providence is coming off an overtime loss at home to South Florida in which they blew a nine-point lead in the final minute.

Blaney said he and Calhoun talk basketball on the phone occasionally, but said the coach has been taking his doctor’s advice to stay away.

“To my knowledge, this is the best he’s ever done with following instructions toward anything,” Blaney said.