INDIANAPOLIS - Jim Calhoun sat in the bleachers, surrounded by his staff, talking endlessly about his team this season, how the UConn Huskies have stepped it up in the classroom over the past two seasons and how this group will have to play for pride instead of a postseason tournament.
Calhoun isn't leaving. Not yet.
"My contract is for two more years," he said.
Calhoun doesn't sound any different than he did a few years ago. Sure, plenty has changed. His Kemba-led team won the national championship two seasons ago, then came the train wreck campaign last season -- and also the news that the Huskies would be ineligible for the postseason this year due to poor academic performance.
Alex Oriakhi left for Missouri, Roscoe Smith to UNLV and Michael Bradley wound up in the junior college ranks.
There were plenty who felt as though Calhoun should call it a career, that this was the right time since the UConn program had taken a significant jolt.
"It'll certainly be different this year," Calhoun admitted. "But there are a whole bunch of schools that aren't going to make the NCAA tournament and will still play hard."
Calhoun still maintains his group of perimeter guys can play with just about anyone: There's Shabazz Napier, who is currently nursing a foot injury and will be back on the court in a couple weeks; Ryan Boatright, who battled eligibility issues as a freshman; fifth-year senior R.J. Evans, who averaged 11.5 points at Holy Cross last season; talented sophomore DeAndre Daniels, who spent much of the year on the bench; and freshman Omar Calhoun.
Calhoun admitted that the key to this team will come up front where there are certainly questions. Tyler Olander returns and Calhoun said that German Enosch Wolf has lost weight and could be a factor.
This team will also be unlike any he's had due to the lack of a big-time shot-blocker.
"We'll have to play different," Calhoun said.
The tone in Calhoun's voice was exactly the same as it's been over the years. Strong and fiery. Despite turning 70 recently, he's still the same stubborn guy who I've said will be around until someone tells him he is no longer able to coach any longer. He's even learned to pull back a bit, opting to go 25 miles instead of 50 in his annual charity bike race.
"I feel good," Calhoun said.
But we'll see what his state of mind is like in January and February. It's easier said than done to keep a bunch of teenage kids motivated with no NCAA tournament and national title to dangle at the end of the rainbow. Calhoun must also find a way to turn the page with the chemistry in the program. Plenty of bodies are gone -- including Jeremy Lamb and Andre Drummond. Napier will have to become a much better leader than he was a year ago.
"I still think we have chance to be pretty good this season," Calhoun said.
And judging by his presence on the summer circuit, he'll be around at least one more year beyond this one.
Source: http://www.bbstate.com/news/565704
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