St. John’s vs. Connecticut – Calhoun Takes Medical Leave

As if things couldn’t get worse for the University of Connecticut men’s basketball team. After being broken by Georgetown and Pittsburgh, the Huskies lost a heartbreaking upset to the Michigan Wolverines. Then the worst happened, with legendary coach Jim Calhoun stepping down due to medical reasons.

Calhoun is being secretive about the specifics for his leave while he discusses the issue privately with his family. For a man that has faithfully served the Huskies for 14 straight seasons, you’d have to imagine that whatever ails Calhoun must be serious. He has had scares three scares with cancer before, including a brush with both the prostate and skin varieties. The university has stressed that Calhoun’s recent departure is not related to cancer, nor the heart.

The seriousness of Calhoun’s medical condition notwithstanding, this is a severe blow for a program in a serious rut at the moment. The Huskies have endured three straight losses, and dropped to just 11-6 SU and 2-3 SU in the Big East. As a bet, they’ve been crushing their alumni betting faithful by falling to just 6-9 ATS.

Depending on the immediate future of Calhoun, and how his player’s respond to the news tonight against St. Johns, UConn is going to be a curious play, especially competition heating up in the Big East. Connecticut is fluttering close to the cellar and has lost pace to the division leading Georgetown, Pittsburgh, Villanova and Syracuse.

Already a member of the esteemed Basketball Hall of Fame after being inducted in 2005, Calhoun has led his Huskies to three Final Four appearances and two national championship titles. With 25 players drafted in the NBA, Calhoun has been a dream coach for many high school stars entering the university ranks. He has been responsible for the growth of man NBA stars including Caron Butler, Rudy Gay, Kevin Ollie, Donyell Marshall, Ben Gordon. Perhaps his most recognizable former player is Ray Allen of the Boston Celtics.

I’d ask him if he’s ever coming back to college basketball, but I’d be scared of him responding like this:

Get well soon, coach.

St. John’s Red Storm (12-5) vs. Connecticut Huskies (11-6) >> Join Now to Bet!
Wednesday, January 20th — Gampel Pavilion — 7:00pm EST
NCAAB Betting Line: UConn -9 (132)

Despite the news about Coach Calhoun, the show must go on in the world of college basketball betting. Their next game will take place tonight against the St. John’s Red Storm, and you have to imagine that the Huskies will play beyond motivated in honor of their ailing coach. UConn is a big favorite over the 12-5 SU Red Storm, who are also 4-1 ATS.

As is usually the case when a team loses its emotional leader and coach, you can bet on the Huskies to snap out of their recent funk and cover the spread against the dreaded Red. Don’t’ worry too much about the Huskies on the hardwood tonight. They are 4-1 ATS and undefeated in their last five against St. Johns.

Despite a better record on the part of St. Johns, the Huskies are ranked for a reason. They are taller, leaner and meaner overall and they have plenty to play for. With a furiously passionate home crowd backing them, the Huskies are the bet tonight, but stay true to the UNDER because St. John’s won’t be able to keep pace.

Furious Free Pick: Connecticut -9 (UNDER)