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Posted at 7:47 p.m., Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Ex-UCLA coach Wooden recuperating in hospital

By Greg Risling
Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Former UCLA basketball coach John Wooden could be released by Thursday from a hospital where he has been treated for a reaction to a combination of medications.

The 96-year-old Hall of Fame coach has been in a Los Angeles-area hospital since Sunday when he began suffering symptoms similar to those he experienced a year ago when he was hospitalized for diverticulitis, an inflammation of pockets in the colon.

Wooden's daughter Nan Muehlhausen said her father was doing well and walked around "a little bit" today.

"We think he might be released from the hospital tomorrow or Thursday and then Dad needs plenty of rest to build back his strength," she said in a statement.

Doctors believe Wooden suffered from a reaction to a combination of medications, including one for arthritis. They are adjusting the dosage of those medications to ensure he doesn't have further bleeding, Muehlhausen said.

Wooden hadn't been given any more blood transfusions, she said. He had four since Sunday.

Wooden was in a hospital for three days in April 2006 for diverticulitis. It can lead to serious infection if contents from the intestine leak into the abdomen.

He had to cancel a speaking engagement Wednesday at Kansas State University because he was hospitalized.

Wooden retired from UCLA in 1975 with a record of 620-147 in 27 years as coach. The Bruins won 10 national titles under him, including seven in a row. The streak included 38 straight NCAA tournament victories.