Iowa State coach shares latest on Joshua Jefferson ahead of Sweet 16 showdown with Tennessee
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With North Carolina serving as a prime example, many college basketball teams have been heavily impacted by the injury bug down the stretch of this season.
T.J. Otzelberger and Iowa State are hoping they don’t become the next victim.
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The Cyclones largely cruised through their pair of opening-weekend games in the NCAA Tournament, but accomplishing that feat came at a steep cost. Star forward Joshua Jefferson exited the team’s first contest against Tennessee State in the early moments, and he was ruled out for the Sunday bout with Kentucky due to an ankle injury.
With Iowa State set to face Tennessee in the Sweet 16 on Friday night, Otzelberger met with the media and provided an update on Jefferson’s status Wednesday, explaining that the senior will be a true game-time decision.
A former Saint Mary’s Gael, Jefferson transferred to join Iowa State prior to the 2024 campaign and has been a wildly productive member of the program ever since.
After starting in every game last season, Jefferson has posted career-best marks of 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game while leading ISU to a 29-7 overall record.
The Cyclones and Volunteers will tip-off at 10:10 p.m. ET on Friday, with the game being broadcast by TBS.
Predict Friday’s game at Kalshi!
Parker is currently the sports editor for the Enterprise-Journal in McComb, Mississippi. He's a graduate from Mizzou who has experience covering the Tiger football and basketball beats for SB Nation, and he's worked for a variety of sports news outlets in the past.
