There have been some electrifying moments in recent Gampel Pavilion history.
Two years ago, Caron Butler buried a three at the end of regulation that tied the score and Connecticut went on to beat St. John’s 82-80 in overtime. It was so loud in the House That Jim Calhoun Built you couldn’t have heard an elephant drop.
Last year, Husky fans were absolutely frenetic when storied North Carolina came to Storrs. With Mt. Vernon’s Ben Gordon raining 3’s, the Huskies routed the Tar Heels 86-54. Sales of hearing aids increased significantly in the following days.
Today, however, Gampel could be home to one of the most emotional scenes in college basketball history. Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun, who underwent successful prostate surgery Feb. 6 could return to the bench for today’s nationally televised game against St. John’s.
“This could be a real special moment,” said former St. John’s Prep star Taliek Brown. “Unless you’ve been here, you don’t know how popular he is. There are billboards on the highways. If he’s back [today] it might be so loud you can’t hear yourself think.”
Just the possibility that Calhoun might be back is astounding. After undergoing the surgery, doctors said it would be 3-5 weeks before Calhoun could return. It’s been 16 days since the surgery.
Calhoun told reporters in Connecticut that it will be a game-time decision. He doesn’t want to return for today’s game and then not be strong enough to travel to South Bend tomorrow for Monday night’s game against Notre Dame.
Calhoun led the Huskies (16-6 overall, 7-4 in the Big East) through practice for the first time Thursday. Gordon said he knew Calhoun was close to 100 percent when he started yelling at several players.
Calhoun’s return couldn’t come at a worse time for St. John’s. The Red Storm (12-10, 5-7) have lost four of five and are in danger of not qualifying for post-season play for the second time in three years.