Iowa basketball coach Todd Lickliter has no interest in telling his side of the story in the departure of senior guard Tony Freeman. The Hawkeye’s leading scorer from last season left the team earlier this month and said the coach made it clear during a meeting that he wanted him to leave.
Lickliter says the conversation was private and he wants to keep it that way, as he’s not comfortable with revealing private conversations with anyone. Lickliter says he wants people to be able to come in and talk with him and have a trust involved. He says he’s not comfortable trying to critique or analyze what Freeman has to say.
Lickliter says he is not trying to be secretive but wants his players to know that what is said in meetings with him will not become public. He says there are some things that you should be respectful of, and this is one. Lickliter says he has open practices and speaks after the games and has talked candidly about what he felt was going on this season.
Losing your top scorer can be tough to overcome but Lickliter feels good about the type of team the Hawks will have next season. He says the staff has done a great job of recruiting the right guys and complementing one another, and says they look for a team that is better together than they are as individuals.
Lickliter says he does not expect more roster changes prior to next season. There are six returners and six new players, and he feels they have balanced the classes. Iowa finished 13-19 overall and 6-12 in the Big Ten in Lickliter’s first season at the helm.