Iowa's Freeman Headed to Southern Illinois

Iowa's leading scorer Tony Freeman has announced that he will transfer to Southern Illinois. The junior guard said he felt the Salukis wanted him, as both a player and a leader. "They made me feel wanted," Freeman said. "The day after I announced I was transferring, I was on a four-way telephone conversation with them. They said they wanted me, even if it was just for one year. As an athlete, that's what I wanted to hear." Freeman, who was named to the All-Big Ten third team, did not feel like he fit at Iowa once Todd Lickliter took over for Steve Alford. "Basically, the [postseason] conversation I had with [coach Todd Lickliter] insinuated that I wasn't compatible with the system," he said. "[Southern Illinois] said they needed a guy like me, even if it was for just a year, to come in and help lead and mentor younger players. Basically, everything those guys wanted me to be, Iowa didn't." Freeman averaged 13.8 points per game last season.