Lickliter clears Tucker for practice

Iowa Coach Todd Lickliter said guard Anthony Tucker will return to practice Monday, five weeks after being suspended for a second public intoxication charge.

“It looks like he'll start practicing when we get back (from Indiana) on Monday,” Lickliter said. “I just got notice that everything isn't complete, but everything is set in motion and all that he could complete to date is. So we'll see how that goes, but we'll make practice available to him and give him an opportunity.”

Tucker, a 20-year-old sophomore from Burnsville, Minn., averages 11.9 points a game, the team's second-highest output. He started the first 11 games. Lickliter did not set a date for when Tucker will see game action.

“Play-wise will be ongoing, we'll just kind of evaluate as we go,” Lickliter said.

“I'm not going to set a time one way or the other. We'll just see how everything transpires and use good judgment in that regard.”

Tucker was arrested for public intoxication Dec. 20 after an altercation with a taxicab driver and pleaded guilty eight days later. He was suspended and has not practiced with the team since the incident. Athletics Department guidelines mandate an automatic suspension for athletes arrested on a second alcohol-related offense pending a full alcoholism assessment and 30 hours of community service. A third arrest results in a dismissal.