Louisville is off to a hot 9-1 start to the season, but will have to go without center Mangok Mathiang for six-to-eight weeks after the redshirt junior broke a bone in his foot, coach Rick Pitino told reporters Saturday.

Mathiang is a key reserve off the Cardinals' bench, averaging 7.6 points and 5.8 rebounds in nine games this season.

During Saturday's tough loss to Western Kentucky, Mathiang said he felt a pop in his foot. He left the court and later emerged from the locker room in a walking boot.

"I just kind of knew something was messed up and just tried playing through it," Mathiang said. "Usually I play through all my pains and just keep grinding through it.

"This time, something told me to stop because it might be something serious, and you don't want to make it any worse."

Trainers are hoping he can get in Sunday to undergo surgery.