Surveying the landscape
With Iowa in the midst of an eight-day layoff from Big Ten competition, Hawkeye assistant coaches continue to evaluate what to do with the scholarship that became available when Anthony Tucker left the team earlier this month.
Assistant coach Chad Walthall, speaking on the Big Ten teleconference this morning, said the Hawkeyes are keeping their options open.
"We continue to evaluate and go to different games and talk to different people and see where we are at,'' Walthall said. "There are a couple of players out there worth continuing to monitor. If they can help us right away, we may go in that direction. If not, we may bank it have two available for the next class.''
Iowa currently has just one available scholarship for its 2011 recruiting class, with Jarryd Cole the only junior on the current roster who will exhaust his eligibility following the 2010-11 season. Juco transfer Devon Archie is also a junior, but the injury that forced him into a redshirt situation this year will lead to him completing his eligibility in 2012.
Iowa assistants have spent some time on the road lately, looking at both junior college and prep prospects. Juco guards Kaylon Williams of Kirkwood and Kurt Alexander of Iowa Central are among those Iowa coaches has seen recently, as is Scott County Central (Mo.) high school prospect Bobby Hatchett.
Walthall said Lickliter has not narrowed the focus of Iowa's search.
"We may go for a combo guard or a big. If we find that right guy, we may use it. If not, we won't,'' Walthall said. "It has to be the right fit. We have four guys coming in next year that we are excited about.''
