During a 30-minute conference call with reporters Monday, the second-year Hawkeye coach declined to go into details surrounding Freeman’s decision to transfer.
Lickliter said he had no intention of getting into a war of words with Freeman.
He said he considered the conversations he had with Freeman leading up to the decision to be private. Lickliter repeatedly declined to comment on Freeman’s assertion that he felt “unwanted” in the Iowa program after postseason meetings he had with Hawkeyes coaches.
“There are some things I think you should be respectful of, and I think this is one of them,” Lickliter said. “This should remain between individuals. We absolutely wish Tony the best, but we’re going to move on and be the best team we can be.”
Lickliter said he meets frequently with players, and he wants players to understand that discussions during those meetings will not become future public fodder.
“I want people within the program, players or not, to be able to come into my office and talk freely,” Lickliter said. “I like my office door to be open, and I want our players to be comfortable talking when they are in here.”
Lickliter declined to discuss if he had concerns about whether Freeman’s style of play was incompatible with the team-based objectives of the Hawkeyes staff.
Iowa announced May 2 that Freeman requested and had been granted a release from his scholarship.
The 6-foot-1 junior who averaged 13.8 points last season has not yet determined where he will continue his career, although Lickliter said he understands that Iowa has provided release information to a handful of schools who might be interested in Freeman.
“I have not spoken to anyone directly about him,” Lickliter said.
Lickliter said he shared the frustration that Freeman felt regarding the Hawkeyes’ 13-19 record last season.
“Nobody was satisfied with what happened this year, and we talked with all of our players about how they could contribute to making our team better,” Lickliter said. “That has been at the base of all of our conversations with our players.”
Lickliter said he does not anticipate any additional changes in the Iowa roster, which is expected to include six returning players and six newcomers on scholarship for the 2008-09 season.
Of the newcomers, four will be freshmen. Two junior college transfers, Devan Bawinkel and Jermain Davis, will provide additional backcourt depth.
Lickliter said Freeman’s departure will not significantly alter Iowa’s planning for the upcoming season.
“Every year, we make adjustments based on the loss and addition of players. I don’t ever necessarily believe that one player has to step into the role of a player that is no longer with us,” Lickliter said.
“I feel like the staff has done a great job of recruiting the right guys to complement one another as we try to put together a team that is better than anyone could hope to be individually.”
Shortly after his departure was announced, Freeman indicated he was upset that another of next year’s seniors, Cyrus Tate, and sophomore Jarryd Cole had been selected as team captains.
Lickliter views those roles from a different perspective.
“I don’t think you pick captains. I think everybody on the team should lead and it should be difficult to figure out who gets the added responsibilities that go along with that,” Lickliter said. “I’d like to think that everybody on the team is a leader.”
While Tate demonstrated those qualities on the court last season, Cole has demonstrated them as he continues to rehab after undergoing surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in early January.
“He’s not ready to play yet, but he’s looking good. Everything is right on track,’’ Lickliter said. “I would anticipate that we’ll see him back on the court by September and he’ll be ready to go when practices start in October.’’
Steve Batterson can be contacted at (563) 383-2290 or sbatterson@qctimes.com.
