The Iowa State Cyclones entered the NCAA Tournament to reach at least the Elite Eight, something the program has only done once. Now, the question is whether the second-seeded Cyclones can advance to the Sweet 16 without star forward Joshua Jefferson?
Can Iowa State Slip Past Kentucky Without Joshua Jefferson?
According to Jeff Goodman of Field of 68, Jefferson is unlikely to play when Iowa State (28-7) faces the seventh-seeded Kentucky Wildcats (22-13) in a Midwest Region second-round matchup in St. Louis (Mo.) Sunday afternoon. Jefferson sprained his ankle two and a half minutes into the Cyclones 108-74 victory over 15th-seeded East Tennessee State on Friday night.
“Iowa State’s Joshua Jefferson (ankle) is unlikely to play tomorrow against Kentucky, source told The Field Of 68,” Goodman tweeted. “Jefferson will continue to receive treatment before the game, but the chances of him being able to play against the Wildcats on Sunday are slim.”
Jefferson showed up to Iowa State’s practice at the Enterprise Center earlier today with a boot on his ankle. On the positive side, On3’s Bradley Truax reported that the X-rays came back negative. Jefferson couldn’t put weight on his leg following the injury and had to be helped to the locker room. He is officially listed as questionable on the NCAA’s injury report.
Jefferson, who finished with two points and one rebound, scored on a coast-to-coast layup to put Iowa State up 5-3 when he went down with the injury. Despite being without the 2025-26 All-American, the Cyclones coasted to a victory over outmanned ETSU as Killyan Toure posted his first career double-double with 25 points and 11 rebounds while Nate Heise pumped in a season-high 22 points off the bench.
Iowa State is enjoying one of its best seasons in program history. The Cyclones tied their highest ranking ever in the AP Poll (No.2) earlier this year, and their 28 wins are third on the school record. Additionally, if the Cyclones earn one victory, they will guarantee themselves a top-5 winning percentage.
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