College

STORRS, Conn. — Connecticut's Jim Calhoun doesn't mince words when it comes to his health.

So, when the Hall of Fame coach of the defending national champions had just about had it with his back problems, he let people know.

"The bottom line is, I'm going to need some work done," the 69-year-old Calhoun said. "In January, the shooting pains were getting worse and after one plane ride I couldn't even get up. I tried to hide it. I'm taking medicine right now for the pain. They are waiting for things to quiet down, and I'll meet with the doctor next week."

Calhoun is taking an indefinite medical leave of absence, as he has been suffering for the last few months from spinal stenosis, a condition that causes him severe pain and hampers mobility.

Peter Schulman, Calhoun's primary physician, said, "Right now, he is physically unable to coach."

George Blaney, 72, the team's associate head coach, will lead the team in Calhoun's absence, which will cover at least the next two games. The Huskies are 9-9 in games Blaney has coached.

Calhoun has a history of health problems. He is a three-time cancer survivor, overcoming prostate cancer in 2003 and skin cancer twice, most recently in 2008. He has missed 21 games, 17 for medical reasons, in his 26 seasons at UConn and has had to leave another 11 games because of health problems.

"I don't know anybody tougher," Blaney said of Calhoun. "He doesn't use Novocain when he goes to the dentist. He's a tough guy and usually 'No' spurs him on."

UConn guard Ryan Boatright expects things to be quieter with Blaney coaching.

"There's not as much yelling," Boatright said. "Obviously the cuss words are down to a (lower) level. It's a difference."

Note

• Arizona assistant coach Joe Pasternack says he didn't deliberately make contact with California's Jorge Gutierrez after the Cal guard fell into the Wildcats' bench during Thursday's game.

Gutierrez yelled at Pasternack, a former Cal assistant, after falling into the bench chasing a loose ball in Arizona's 78-74 victory. Replays showed Pasternack making a kicking motion Gutierrez believed to be intentional.

Pasternack issued a statement Friday saying his actions were a reflex in response to a player falling on top of him while running at top speed toward the bench.