Lickliter: Thursday meeting led to Tucker's transfer

Iowa Coach Todd Lickliter said this morning he met with Anthony Tucker's mother on Thursday, and that's when the former sophomore guard decided he wanted to leave the basketball program.

"The situation is that Anthony's mother came to see me," Lickliter said on his teleconference. "Sometimes, private matters, you keep them private and so on.

"We had a meeting, I don't think they would mind me saying their perspective was that it just hadn't worked the way that they had hoped it would work. There was no blame placed on any parties and that Anthony would like a change of scenery and a new opportunity, and I'm willing to grant that.

"I wish him the best."

Tucker was released from his athletic scholarship on Thursday, nearly two months after he was suspended from the team following an alcohol-related arrest. He started 11 games this season and averaged 11.9 points a game. He started 19 games in his Iowa career and averaged 11 points.

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Lickliter said Tucker will remain in school the rest of this semester and then transfer to another Division I school. Lickliter said he placed no college restrictions on Tucker.

"Anthony did not give me a particular reason, whatever it was, just the fact that it hasn't worked the way that he had hoped and he would like to explore a new opportunity," Lickliter said. "That I respect, and we granted his release."

As of this morning, Lickliter said he has not discussed Tucker's situation with the team.

Tucker's absence frees up another scholarship, but Lickliter said he was undecided if he'd apply that toward next year or hold it for the 2011 season.

VIDEO: Lickliter on Tucker's departure