Lickliter anticipates a Tucker return

Iowa Coach Todd Lickliter said suspended sophomore guard Anthony Tucker will return to the team at some point, but that timetable will be determined by both the school and the coach.

"We've talked," Lickliter said today. "I've talked to his family, and he's not back at this point. We're still working through and evaluating, making sure we make the right moves.

"I anticipate him back, but I just don't have the timeline right now."

Tucker was arrested for public intoxication Dec. 20, about six hours after he played in a game against Drake. He spent the night in the Johnson County Jail. He initially pleaded not guilty but court records Monday show he pleaded guilty and must pay $195 in fines and costs.

Tucker, 20, pleaded guilty to the same charge in December 2008. Athletics department guidelines mandate an automatic suspension for all 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.

Lickliter said he's still not sure when Tucker would be allowed to play again per department policy.

"I'm still waiting on all the particulars of that," Lickliter said. "Because of when it happened and what's going on and everything, I'm going to make sure that I cover everything according to the institution, the department and all. Then, basically what you would do as a coach is decide what you are going to add on to that. You obviously have to follow the protocol of your institution and that's what we're going to do initially."

Rumors swirled before Tucker's arrest that he was looking to transfer away from Iowa. Tucker refuted those, and Lickliter said Tucker hasn't said anything to him about transferring.

"He hasn't. He really hasn't," Lickliter said.

In other news, Lickliter plans to red-shirt junior Devon Archie, who suffered a shoulder injury back in October and since has had pneumonia. Junior post Jarryd Cole appears fine after hurting his foot against South Carolina State.