Iowa sports information released a statement on Friday morning saying that guard Anthony Tucker has been granted his release from his scholarship. This means that other schools can contact him about transferring within the rules of the NCAA. It also means that Tucker’s rocky career as a Hawkeye has come to an end.

Tucker burst onto the scene last year as a true freshman, leading Iowa in scoring through the first third of the season. He showed a penchant for hitting the long ball and could take over a game when he got hot. But he was found passed out in an alley behind an Iowa City bar and was suspended from the team. He never got a chance to be reinstated from that because he was ruled academically ineligible for the second semester.

His teammates rallied around him, as did the coaching staff, showing support. Iowa gave him a second chance this year and Tucker seemed to appreciate it in his words, but unfortunately, not in his deeds as he was arrested on another alcohol related charge just two months ago. Tucker has not played since then, though he did dress for Iowa’s game against Northwestern.

Todd Lickliter never gave any timeline as to when or even if Tucker would play again this year, or ever. Lickliter stated on several occasions that they were looking out for the best interests of Tucker, and if that meant basketball was not involved, they were fine with that.

I believe that Todd Lickliter and the University of Iowa did indeed look out for Anthony’s best interests. Tucker is a talented player and Iowa is not a deep team. They certainly could have used his basketball skills, but at what cost? Was that the best thing for Anthony, or the best thing for the team? Lickliter didn’t try putting a bandaid on a compound fracture. He stuck to his guns.

You can say what you want about Iowa’s success, or lack there of, on the court during the past three seasons, and many of you have, as have I. But I don’t think anyone can question Lickliter’s handing of this situation. I don’t think we can say he is unfair, or uncaring, not that anyone has. I think he and Iowa did a good job here, and I hope the players on the team see that. They are certainly playing with a team first mentality, which is what Lickliter demands.

In the end, some will point to this as another mark against the Lickliter era.

So far, I think it stands out to me as one of the best moments, where people and what is in their best interest was put before potential tally marks in the win column.

Tags: Anthony Tucker, Hawkeye Basketball, Hawkeye Nation, hawkeyenation.com