Jim Calhoun will undergo surgery on Monday to alleviate the effects of spinal stenosis, a back condition that has caused the UConn coach to miss UConn's last six games. Calhoun is expected to spend one or two nights in the hospital before being returning home to recover.
The absence will knock Calhoun out of UConn's next two games -- vs. Syracuse on Saturday and at Providence on Tuesday -- but it is still possible he could return for UConn's final home game against Pittsburgh or for postseason play.
Here's the full release from the school:
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.