Iowa State is back in the Round of 16 for the third time in five years under head coach T.J. Otzelberger, and in this year's tournament, they've done it mostly without their best player Joshua Jefferson.
Jefferson, a 6-8 do-it-all senior forward, averaged 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in 35 games this year, shooting 47.1% from the field and earning 2nd Team All-American honors.
The Cyclones knocked off Tennessee State easily in the First Round, but they lost Jefferson to an ankle sprain just three minutes into the game - a big concern heading into their Second Round game against Kentucky.
The Wildcats kept it close in the first half, but they were decimated in the second half, getting outscored 51-33 and suffering their worst tournament loss since 1972.
Now the question on everyone's mind is "will Joshua Jefferson play in the Round of 16?" We'll break down the latest updates surrounding his ankle sprain.
Joshua Jefferson Injury Update
Jon Rothstein, a college basketball reporter for CBS Sports, reported today that Jefferson is "continuing to progress" from his ankle injury.
Marty Jaramillo, an injury analyst for CBS Sports, said "barring any hidden findings in that MRI, I expect him to play."
Iowa State plays on Friday, Mar. 27 against No. 6 Tennessee, obviously a game that Jefferson will work hard to play in.
If Iowa State wins (favored by 4.5 on bet365), they'll play the winner of Michigan vs. Alabama in the quarterfinals.
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