MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The Wisconsin Badger basketball team will be without senior guard Michael Flowers. He's going on a temporary leave of absence for medical reasons.

Flowers averaged just over seven points in starting all 36 games last season and led the team in assists with 105 and in steals with 58. He was named to the Big Ten all-defensive team.

A news release from the athletic department says Flowers and his family do not wish to comment.

Coach Bo Ryan says in the release that the important thing is that Flowers knows he has the support of his coaches and teammates. The coach says he hopes people will respect Flowers' privacy.

Brian Lucas is assistant director of athletic communications. He says the university will have no comment beyond the announcement.