Iowa State star power forward Joshua Jefferson is officially “questionable” for Friday night’s Sweet 16 matchup between the Cyclones and Tennessee at the United Center in Chicago. Iowa State head coach T.J. Otzelberger said earlier this week that Jefferson would be a game-time decision against Tennessee.
Jefferson suffered an ankle injury in the Cyclones blowout win over Tennessee State in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. He missed Iowa State’s 82-63 win over Kentucky in the Round of 32.
“It’s ultimately Joshua’s decision,” Otzelberger said Thursday. “We love him. We support him. We’re going to give him all the information and resources. But it ultimately comes down to he’s a fierce competitor. He’s a warrior. He’ll do anything to be out there for his teammates. I know if that’s a possibility that he will take advantage of it.
Jefferson has yet to practice this week after suffering the injury. Even if he is able to tough it out and give it a go against Tennessee, he will not be 100%.
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“Still a good amount of pain,” Jefferson said in Iowa State’s open locker room Thursday. “But if I can just play though hurt then I can play through hurt.”
The 6-foot-9, 240-pound forward was a AP Second Team All-American this season, averaging 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. KenPom currently ranks Jefferson as the No. 2 player nationally in its Player of the Year rankings.
Iowa State had little issue handling Kentucky without Jefferson, routing the Wildcats despite falling behind by double-digits early. Still, Jefferson is the most important player on Iowa State’s team and being without him would be a major blow for the Cyclones.
Tennessee is currently 3.5-point underdogs against Iowa State according to the DraftKings Sportsbook. The over under is set at 140.5. KenPom predicts the Cyclones to earn a 71-67 victory.
Tipoff between Tennessee and Iowa State is at 10:10 p.m. ET at the United Center in Chicago. Andrew Catalon, Steve Lappas and Evan Washburn are on the call for TBS and TruTv.
