Connecticut star Kemba Walker believes that basketball keeps Jim Calhoun, 68, going.

Less than a year removed from one of the most trying seasons of his coaching career, Calhoun is thriving again with the Huskies.

"He’s got a lot of fight in him," Walker said of Calhoun. "I think basketball saves him because he loves the game so much. He never wants to leave it. No matter what goes on, he’s always going to bounce back."

Calhoun has endured two bouts with cancer and went through recruiting violations last season.

"I know who I am," he said before the season. "I’ve got the same kind of integrity I’ve always had. This isn’t going to defeat me. Cancer, that’s not going to defeat me. You’re just not going to defeat me."