Tucker now 10th player with eligibility to leave under Lickliter

Anthony Tucker is the 10th Iowa men's basketball player with eligibility to leave the basketball program during Coach Todd Lickliter's three years. Many of whom left for other reasons, but some were unhappy with Lickliter.

Jake Kelly and Tyler Smith chose to move closer to family during tragedies. Dan Bohall chose to leave college basketball altogether. Brett Wessels, Jermain Davis and David Palmer left to play either Division II or Division III basketball. Josh Crawford left to play in junior college before transferring to Indiana State.

Jeff Peterson and Tony Freeman left because of conflicts with Lickliter. Tucker's situation is different.

Lickliter was asked about his reputation moving forward after those transfers.

“How am I going protect anything or perception or whatever?” Lickliter asked. “You just have to do what I think is right and get up each day and do the best I can. The people who know me well know that I care deeply about people and student-athletes. I've got to continue to do what I believe is right by people and I can't ... perceptions are what they are. There's not a whole lot you can do about them.”

Lickliter said he didn't anticipate Tucker would leave the program, either.

“I didn't anticipate, you don't anticipate this," Lickliter said. "You're moving forward with a positive approach. But these things happen, so you just cover it as you comes at you and wish him (Tucker) the best and try to do what's best for the team and the individuals involved.”