Tucker's future status still undetermined, Lickliter says

Iowa sophomore Anthony Tucker's future status within the program is far from determined, Iowa Coach Todd Lickliter said Monday.

Lickliter said Tucker likely won't play Wednesday against Illinois, but the coach wouldn't totally rule out Tucker, either.

"I wouldn't expect him to. I haven't totally made that decision," Lickliter said. "But we need to probably meet and make sure everything is going well."

But as non-committal as Lickliter was about Tucker's immediate status, he was even more vague about the guard's future at Iowa. Lickliter was asked if Tucker could remain at Iowa beyond this semester, and Lickliter left the answer open-ended.

"I would think ... It's just like everything: we'll evaluate and see, but I think the biggest thing is that he has a future," Lickliter said. "That he's earned as many credits as he can. That he's learned very valuable lessons. He contributed. He's got things that, again, he controls all the things that he can really control. That's huge, I think as he moves forward with his life."

Tucker was suspended indefinitely on Dec. 20 after he was arrested for public intoxication. It was his second alcohol-related offense, which mandated an automatic athletics department suspension pending an alcoholism review and 30 hours of community service. Tucker was allowed to practice with the team last week after completing most of his requirements, but Lickliter has declined to play him in a game.

Tucker was among the first players on the court at practice on Monday. Lickliter has not allowed him to speak with the media since his return to the team.

Lickliter did say that Tucker has not created any additional problems since returning to the team. He said he hopes Tucker has learned some life lessons throughout his suspension.

"We're not getting further away," Lickliter said. "He's done what he's supposed to do at this point, and I've got to say that my biggest concern is not how much Anthony plays. My concern is that is on scholarship that he's working towards a degree and that he's preparing himself for what lies ahead. That's really my biggest concern with Anthony.

"I think Anthony can tell you this: If somebody else can learn from his situation, then it's not all loss. He's helped someone else. I'm looking at this as a big picture thing and hopefully he'll make strides."

Tucker averaged 11.9 points a game for Iowa and started all 11 games before his arrest. He now has missed 11 games as well.

"As I've told him, the thing about it is you have when somebody's absent, you have to move on," Lickliter said. "We weren't holding our breath until he got back, and we wouldn't hold our breath until we had to move on last year with injuries. You just have to move on. He's working his way back in."