Calhoun

PROVIDENCE — The last four months have not been the best of Jim Calhoun’s life.

Last spring, doctors discovered that a lump in the upper right side of his neck was a type of skin cancer. He had surgery on May 6 to remove the lump, several surrounding lymph nodes and part of his salivary gland. Subsequent tests revealed that all the cancer had been removed. Seven weeks of radiation treatment followed and didn’t end until early last month. He missed his usual July recruiting trip to the West Coast and had plenty of time to think during his 100-mile trips to treatment.

“There were some unknowns and some fear and for 40 mornings (of treatment) you think and see a lot of things,” he said. “I’ve always appreciated my family and my life, and I try to capture life as much as I can. Now, I appreciate time a little more.”

Calhoun says he’s been cleared by his doctors, but for someone who previously dealt with prostate cancer, he knows that watching his health is critical. In the meantime, the Hall of Fame coach will also keep trying to win ball games. This season’s Huskies are a preseason top-10 pick, and some even have UConn among a select few national-title contenders.

This may be a bit of a surprise to Providence Friar fans, since their team beat the Huskies twice last season, but Calhoun never rests. He’s injecting his program with a stellar recruiting class, led by point guard Kemba Walker and swingman Nate Miles. If the Huskies add 6-foot-9 Ater Majok, another recruit, and get returning starter, Stanley Robinson, eligible at mid-semester as planned, they’ll be as deep and talented as any Big East team.

The silly season

There is nothing like recruiting to bring out the silly season among fans. If your team isn’t involved with highly rated players, your staff isn’t aggressive enough. If you grab an unheralded prospect, you’ll never be good enough to play for championships. There is always a spin, positive or negative, in the crazy world of recruiting.

That’s what makes it so interesting, of course. But what fans do not get is that scouting rankings and ratings mean little. Outside of the top 20-25 players, who are all easily identified by anyone with a clue, high school prospects are relatively interchangeable. The college hoops landscape is filled with star players who were less-than stars coming out of high school.

Consider that of the 10 Big East first-team all-conference picks last season, more than half were not thought of that way coming out of high school. Anyone could have recruited Joe Alexander before he went to West Virginia. Same thing with Kentrell Gransberry, who chose LSU out of high school and later transferred to South Florida. Notre Dame’s Luke Harangody was a name in the Midwest but he was hardly a can’t-miss recruit growing up in Indiana. In fact, most of the Big Ten schools didn’t even recruit him.

This brings us to Providence and new coach Keno Davis. The Friars are involved with all sorts of prospects, thanks in part to an interesting mix of assistant coaches and the fact that PC is dangling the chance at instant playing time in front of players who consider that opportunity their top priority. Davis has three verbal commitments thus far, but none comes with a top-50, or even top-150, pedigree. PC beat out some good programs for some of the recruits and less-than-inspiring competition for others.

That may change over the next few weeks, but at this point Friar fans have to simply trust in Keno. If he’s offering someone a scholarship, you have to believe that the kid fits Davis’ system, owns a big upside and can help elevate PC in the Big East standings. That’s part of awarding a coach a six-year contract.

The Friars have two guards, Antoine Allen and Duke Mondy, along with forward Kadeem Batts, ready to sign letters-of-intent in November. Each seems to be a good system player, according to the scouts. Friar fans had better hope they’re wrong. This program loses five huge pieces, so an impact player or three is absolutely vital if PC hopes to prevent a sharp nosedive next season.

PC is awaiting word from several key targets. They’d love to land one of three big men — Talib Zanna, Jordan Williams or James Still. With Randall Hanke, Jon Kale and Geoff McDermott all seniors, the Friars could use two big men. Look for Davis to explore every avenue (transfers, junior college) for additional help in the post but remember, don’t worry about the rankings.

kmcnamar@projo.com