Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun missed his third straight game after taking an indefinite medical leave due to spain stenosis, a painful lower back condition. Calhoun also missed games against Seton Hall and Louisville.
The Huskies are 1-2 without their head coach, including a 85-67 loss to Syracuse on Saturday. While Calhoun is out, associate head coach George Blaney has taken over the program.
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Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim offered his support to Calhoun.
“His back is bad,” Boeheim said. “If you can’t get out of bed, you can’t coach. I’m hoping that it’s something a solution can be found and he’ll be back.”
Calhoun and Boeheim are among two of the winningest active coaches in NCAA basketball. Boeheim has 881 wins, while Calhoun has 867.
Calhoun has previously said that he is aiming to return to the bench later this season.
Connecticut badly needs its coach, as the Huskies have lost six of their last seven, and have fallen to 15-9 and 5-7 in the Big East.
“When he’s not there, it makes a difference,” Boeheim said. “He’s one of the great coaches of all-time.”
