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UConn loses to Providence, adds to NCAA bubble worries

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Mike Miller

Connecticut’s freefall continues.

A 72-70 loss Tuesday to Providence dropped the defending NCAA champs to 17-12 overall and 7-10 in the Big East – and further worsened their chances of even making the 2012 tournament field.

Is that prospect the one thing that could rush Jim Calhoun’s return the sideline a little bit? It’ll play a huge factor. They’re now 3-5 during the coach’s indefinite medical leave of absence.

The Huskies close the regular season Saturday at home vs. Pitt, which is a game they should win. (Then again, they should’ve won Tuesday.) After that, the Big East tournament starts March 6. UConn’s looking at playing the first day – something that’ll sound familiar – which’ll probably give them a chance to win their next two, three games.

If they start caring, that is.

UConnProvidence watched as ProvidenceUConn made an 11-1 run to start the second half. But stopping Providence’s Bryce Cotton, who scored 22 points and hit 4 3-pointers during an 18-3 run that gave the Friars a 63-55 lead, was another matter. A technical by center Andre Drummond didn’t help, either.

“I thought we had control of the game,” said associate head coach George Blaney, “but we did a lot of things wrong from that point on.”

Indifference and complacency continues to plague the Huskies. I’m not sure even Calhoun can stem that.

You also can follow me on Twitter @MikeMillerNBC.