Will They Stay or Will They Go? Rumors Swirling around Hawkeye Basketball Team

What is going on with the Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team?

The message boards were going wild today as the rumors regarding Hawkeye players transferring began to heat up.

Junior guard Jermain Davis, who played in all but two games this season, has decided to transfer to Division II Minnesota State in Mankato. Davis, who averaged 4.5 points and 3 rebounds per game, expressed unhappiness with the Hawkeye program, complaining about not knowing his role on the team and about Iowa's slow-paced offense.

While this is the only player that has officially confirmed he is transferring, there are rumors of at least three other Hawkeyes who are considering changing schools.

Jake Kelly, who earlier this month denied rumors that he is considering transferring, appears to be reconsidering. "I'm here and this is where I'm gonna be," Kelly said back on March 9. However, in a phone interview with Hawkeyenation.com's Rob Howe, Kelly neither confirmed nor denied possibly transferring. "I'd really rather not talk about it right now," Kelly said in his interview with Howe. This would be a serious blow to the Hawkeyes, Kelly led the team in scoring with 11.6 points per game and really established himself as the team leader late in the season.

Other message board rumors included point guard Jeff Pederson and center David Palmer also considering a change of scenery.

As if things couldn't get any worse, the Hawks also lost one of their recruits today, Marshalltown forward Chanse Creekmur (class of 2010), who verbally committed to the Hawks last August, informed Coach Lickliter he has rescinded his commitment. Creekmur averaged 18.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game this past season for Marshalltown.

I can handle it if just Davis is transferring, but if all of these transfers really do happen, I think some action needs to be taken. There is obviously something going on behind the scenes in Todd Lickliter's program, and if all these guys end up transferring, he has to be put on the hot seat. Its unacceptable to have this many guys considering to transfer.

I have been a supporter of Lickliter from the beginning, through thick and thin. But the Iowa basketball program is in a downward spiral, simple as that, it is in shambles. The fan base is weak enough as it is: attendance is down, and will be down even lower if Kelly and the others decide to transfer.

I have such a strong passion for sports, more that most people, but after hearing this news, I'm seriously considering not being a season-ticket holder next season.

Message for Coach Lickliter: DO SOMETHING...If you don't do something soon it might be time to start looking through the classified ads for another job.