"LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Louisville coach Rick Pitino announced Monday evening that he will be taking an indefinite medical leave of absence from the program.
Pitino has a pain in his side, and will undergo tests in Cleveland in the next couple of days, a Louisville assistant coach told ESPN.com.
"I have been in excruciating pain the last four or five games," Pitino said Monday to The Associated Press. "It's getting worse day by day."
Pitino, 51, said the pain was "urological related" and that he has been coaching with it for at least three months. He said doctors have ruled out prostate cancer, but he would be seeking treatment at the Cleveland Clinic.
Pitino is doubtful to coach Wednesday at home against Conference USA opponent Houston.
"It could be a couple of days, it could be a couple of weeks," Pitino told the AP about how long his leave could be.
Assistant Kevin Willard, the son of Holy Cross coach Ralph Willard and who last week pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol, will coach the team in Pitino's absence.
Earlier Monday, Louisville moved up to No. 4 in the both the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll and the Associated Press poll. After losing their first game of the season by a point to Iowa, the Cardinals have reeled off 15 straight wins, including victories over two No. 1-ranked teams -- Florida and Kentucky -- in December. Louisville is 5-0 in conference play."
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