Iowa guard Anthony Tucker foils internet rumors

Iowa sophomore guard Anthony Tucker said Thursday there is no truth to Internet rumors he plans to leave for another school.

“No, none,” Tucker said. “I think it's someone that they thought they'd throw it out there and see what happens and see what people would say, maybe hopefully get me to say something about it. It's nothing that I've talked to Coach (Todd Lickliter) about.”

Tucker was among several players rumored to be leaving the program. All players participated fully during Thursday's practice. Tucker said he remains committed to improving the 3-7 Hawkeyes this year.

Lickliter was asked about the rumors as well.

“You're asking me to comment on a message board post?” Lickliter said. “If they had, I don't know that it would be acceptable for me to announce it. But ... this is the first I've heard of it. I usually don't comment unless somebody signs their name to something.”

Iowa had four players with eligibility transfer after last season, including starting guards Jake Kelly (Indiana State) and Jeff Peterson (Arkansas). Nine players with eligibility have left Iowa for a variety of reasons since Lickliter was hired in April 2007.

Tucker has started every game this year and ranks second in scoring at 11.4 points a game. Last year he averaged 10.4 points a game before becoming academically ineligible the second semester.

Tucker blamed last year's academic issues partly on taking advanced-level courses and poor study habits.

“That was a mistake I made first semester, trying to take an advanced course that I probably didn't have any business taking,” he said Thursday. “I think I changed my study habits last year. That made it a lot less stressful for me. I could focus on basketball more than I could have last year.”

Lickliter said there shouldn't be any academic casualties this season.