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Lickliter talks about Hawks

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By Steve Batterson | Monday, January 07, 2008 |

First year Iowa mens basketball coach Todd Lickliter talks with reporters during a press conference in this file photo. Buy this Photo

Here's what Iowa basketball coach Todd Lickliter was talking about this morning on the weekly Big Ten teleconference…

On his thoughts on where Iowa is at… “We’ve played two very good opponents, top 25, that is what you’d expect in the Big Ten. We’ve played well in stretches, but have not been consistent enough. It doesn’t look like things are going to get any easier in the next few games.’’

On coaching against Ohio State’s Thad Matta, now that it’s a league game. “It’s difficult to play friends and I consider Thad one of my best friends. For one night, we have to throw that out and compete.’’

On discussions he had with Matta prior to taking the Iowa job about working in the Big Ten: “I wasn’t going to interfere because his team was preparing to play in the national championship. We talked a little bit about Florida and that was all. I thought the process would be longer and that I might have a chance to talk about Iowa after the tournament, but once I decided to come to Iowa, there wasn’t time to talk.’’

On what Justin Johnson’s 3-point shooting has brought to the team: “Anytime a guy can be a threat, he also offers other things. He’s become our best screener. I’d like for his shooting to open things up a bit more for the guys inside. He’s becoming one of our better defenders.’’

On his impressions of Eric Gordon: “I’ve seen him up close since he was about 12 years old and have known his family for 25 years. He’s every bit as good as they talk about and he’s an even better person than he is a player. He makes his teammates better. It’s never been the Eric Gordon show, it’s always been about his team.’’

On how Iowa can compete with lesser talent than other teams in the league: “If it were always the favorite winning, there would be no need to play the game. You have to overcome some obstacles. That’s part of the joy of competing. You don’t have to be better than somebody every night, just one particular night. If you can eliminate some of their strengths, you can give yourselves a chance.’’