Basketball Wire Notes | Arizona's Olson to take leave of absence

TUCSON, Ariz. — Arizona coach Lute Olson is taking a leave of absence for unspecified personal reasons.

In a statement issued Sunday, the 73-year-old Hall of Famer said the matter was not related to his health.

"For the past 25 years, I have always given 110 percent to the team and this job," Olson said. "In light of this personal matter, I feel it is in the best interest of the team and the University of Arizona to take a leave of absence."

Olson said he wanted to "reassure everyone that this isn't a health scare, but rather a personal matter that needs my undivided attention."

The specific reason was not given.

"I want to thank everyone in advance for their support and prayers and request that the media respect my family's privacy during this time," he said.

Assistant coach Kevin O'Neill will assume Olson's duties in his absence.

"Lute will be back coaching our team shortly," O'Neill said before 17th-ranked Arizona beat Concordia of Montreal 68-50 in an exhibition game Sunday. "He has been a great ambassador of the game. He has led our team for 25 years, and he will continue to lead our team for a long time."

Olson has a 780-280 record in 34 seasons as a major-college coach. At Arizona, he is 589-187 with 23 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances. His Wildcats have won 11 Pac-10 titles, reached the Final Four four times and won the 1997 NCAA title.

"This is a guy who cares about a lot of things, not just a guy who cares about a round ball going through a hoop," athletic director Jim Livengood said. "He cares about people, and he cares about kids and everything — everything. Right now, he has things he wants to take care of. We are going to honor that."

Olson took a leave of absence during the 2000-01 season when his first wife, Bobbi, was terminally ill with cancer. He returned and led that Arizona team to the Final Four.

Note

• No. 1 Tennessee lost 83-72 to the U.S. women's national team, guided by WNBA Storm coach Anne Donovan, in Knoxville, Tenn.

Diana Taurasi, who plays for the WNBA Phoenix Mercury, collected 26 points and seven rebounds for the U.S. team. Storm guard Sue Bird had 11 points and four assists for the U.S. team, which improved to 3-0 on its eight-game college tour.

All-American Candace Parker scored 22 points for the Vols before a crowd of 13,927.