• Reports say Todd lickliter us out as coach at Iowa. I heard Iowa will have to pay him 2.4 million to buy out contract. Presser at 230 #
• Iowa ad Gary barta announces firing of mens basketball coach Todd lickliter. Says records, revenue is a factual reason #
• Quote under the current circumstances we can't climb the current hill #
• Barta naming players. Making plea for everyone to not transfer. #
• The search begins today. Looking for a proven winner, leader committed to student athletesShares values of state and university. No timeline #
• Will not be responding to rumors #
• Termination without cause and will honor 800 thousand a year for the next 3 years. The money comes from athletic dept funds #
• Todd is a terrific coach, people are making progress He felt like all the pieces weren't there so barta feels like he has to make change. #
• Doesn't judge program on 1 or 2 games. Certainly as a fan and someone who loves program everthing is considered part of program #
• Hawkeye fans have proven they will fill carver Hawkeye arena. Basically barta says success can be had at Iowa. #
• Calls the decision a pain staking decision. Says he doesn't have a quick trigger. He would love to never have to hire anothe coach again #
• Internet is full of rumors. He did the best to get to the bottom with facts. Made the recommendation today to sally mason. #
• Rumors last week were absolutely false #
• @awelsch make sure to get an etsu tournament angle about how ghetto their players looked on selection show #
• Just happy to be there. Very tough draw.. Rt @KCRG_Sports UNI women get the #16 seed, will face Nebraska on Sunday in Minneapolis. #

I only got to interview former Iowa Men’s Basketball coach Todd Lickliter a few times. I got to watch his program from a far for all three years. One thing I noticed, a lack of team chemistry between a coach and his players.

And that is squarely Todd’s fault.

For whatever reason, the players Lickliter inherited did not buy into his system. A system that was considered to be “boring to watch” or one that lacks a superstar. And what we learned, gimmick systems do not work in a power conference like the Big Ten.

The players agree with me.

Nine players ended up transferring.

This year was the icing on the cake. With fresh faces getting extensive playing time in their first year, Iowa recorded their worst record in school history this year. The Hawks finished 10-22.

The popular opinion is that a coach needs time to get his own players into the system. I believe that is partially true. However, I think success early in tenure at a school establishes respect to a coach.

In Lickliter’s first two seasons at Butler, he went 53-12, making the sweet 16 his 2nd season. He recorded a 28-35 record in his first two seasons in Iowa City. The recruits talked. The big-time regional recruits that used to be coming UI’s way, weren’t. His best recruit was Matt Gatens, a guy who attended high school with his son. Gatens wouldn’t be the best player on any other team in the Big Ten.

In his 3rd year, Lickliter knew his team would have their bumps along the way. His firing becomes imminent when there’s not a light at the end of the tunnel.

Fans new it.

The players new it.

Iowa AD Gary Barta started to realize it.

My thoughts, a system is only so good with mediocre players. The players Todd Lickliter wants to fit into the system may be able to eventually gel into a good team, but without capable athletes you can’t hang with the Michigan State’s, Ohio State’s, Purdue’s or even Minnesota’s of the Big Ten.

AD Gary Barta looked into his crystal ball (that was paid in full by Boosters)…and saw a young team, that even if they were seniors, would have a hard time making the NCAA Tournament based on talent alone.

The ultimate demise of Todd Lickliter was the bottom line.

The lack of fans in the stands, the lack of money coming into the program is the reason Lickliter had to go.

The immediate future looks bleak. I commend Barta on his plea to keep recruits. My opinion, they aren’t going anywhere. There’s only 1-or-2 guys that other “big-time” universities would even look at.

Scott Dochterman of the CR Gazette speculates UNI’s Ben Jacobson, Tennessee’s Bruce Pearl among 10-15 other names in this article.

The Des Moines Register throws a handful of names at the wall, hoping one will stick so they can say they knew about it first. Here’s that article.

I have a feeling Iowa doesn’t go the mid-major route. If the answer is Keno Davis (the former Drake coach), hold on…there’s lots of questions including how the guy recruits, and whether he can maintain success over a long period of time.

• Uni panthers to play unlv at 610 on Thursday #

• Or just mediocre, national media get off the bandwagon @PeteThamelNYT Big East Tournament, 7 decided by 3 points.its the best conf tourn #

• Newman vs northwood-kensett in week 0 of ia hs fb. Should be an interesting one… #
• Rock Valley and Calamus-Wheatland will meet in Class 1A State Title. Watch that game Friday,6 pm on My3.2 #
• Iowa's season is quickly coming to an end. they trail MICH 26-13 with 6:10 to go in the first half of big ten tournament opener. #
• Lickliter: "My future is I'm healthy, I have a great family. I love what I do. I have done it well. That's not in my hands." #
• Q- 3 years enough? Lickliter: "You can judge some coaches as far as wins and losses immediately depending on the situation." #
• Lickliter: "You're asking me to answer on speculation? I haven't been told I'm not. So until I'm told I'm not, I am." #
• Barta Statement: “I’m so proud of our young men. It’s been a tough season, but the future is very bright with this group. (cont'd) #
• With the season ending today, I’ll do what I do at the end of every year. I’ll evaluate 2010 and make preparations for next season.” #
• About 4 mins is my fav. part @gkketch story from Chip Brown: Mike Leach post-game video that will open eyes http://tinyurl.com/ybmz4fc #
• RT @Adam_Schefter Being told "nothing going on" with LT and a Vikings deal, which would be a strong sign that he's off to NY. Jets up next. #
• Middle of pack big east teams are hurting uni chances of higher seed IMO #

• Good loadie whoadie, its foggy off the chain #
• Bret michaels is on regis and Kelly. I heard he will be in north Iowa this weekend. Odd #
• Don't mind big east basketball tournament in the morning at all. #

• @PaulYeager I watched your Harrison Barnes story, I like , I like. He's such a class act. #
• Ouch! The worst of news for twins fans. Rt @LaVelleNeal Awful news for the Twins: Nathan has a significant tear of the Ulnar ligament #
• Watch Harrison Barnes story from iptv.. Its good stuff @PaulYeager @SportsZell Or you can RT the link http://bit.ly/9Ycs44 #
• @PaulYeager no prob, I was at the bank yesterday for garrigan at state. I have my weekend guy there today for forest city. Back to dsm:TBD #
• RT @WCCORosen: Just did tv interview with an emotional joe nathan… resigned to likelihood of season ending surgery #
• @PaulYeager easier than the bottom half if 3a bracket. Heelan assumption and Carroll might be the 3 best in field #
• Si report: LT to visit Vikings on Thursday #
• Uni alum signs two year deal with Vikings according to reports. #
• Uni alum Benny sapp I mean! 2 year deal with Vikings #

• Ill be posting state basketball updates on @Kimtsports

  Garrigan vs Lynnville sully begins at 2PM #

• Dick enberg has officially lost his mind. He has screwed up names and players on rachn team. What a joke for the valley #
• Uni mens hoops reaction, a state boys BB preview and the Baylor womens punch heard round the nation… Watch sports pulse 9PM on my 3.2 #
• @TVLifer dot t2 network is so new, as of now… Its not worth ratings during Tourney… But in future, maybe #
• The sports pulse was a fun and enjoyable show to watch #
• I meant to do, lol #

• @kmsward the dells #
• I guess kwwl isn't a big Drake bulldog fan! Lol @KWWLSports KABOOM! Johnny Moran's 3 extends run to 15-0! Panthers up by 4! #
• Slow start corrected. If uni lost today, would they have been on bubble? @KIMTSports UNI takes lead 34 to 26 with 15:47 left on clock #