It always hurts to lose players, but it really hurts to lose one of your senior starting guards like Wisconsin just did.

MADISON, Wis. -- Wisconsin senior guard Michael Flowers is going on a temporary leave of absence for medical reasons, the university announced Thursday.

Flowers started all 36 games last season, averaged 7.2 points and led the team in assists (105) and steals (58). He was selected to the Big Ten all-defensive team.

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

"The important thing is that Michael knows he has the support of his coaches and teammates," coach Bo Ryan said in the release. "We hope that everyone will respect Michael's privacy."

Brian Lucas, assistant director of athletic communications, said Thursday evening the university would have no comment beyond the announcement.