CHICAGO — As 2-seed Iowa State basketball prepares for its Sweet 16 showdown against 6-seed Tennessee on Friday, what’s the latest on senior standout Joshua Jefferson’s injury status?
Jefferson is a game-time decision for the Cyclones’ game against the Vols, according to head coach T.J. Otzelberger. The forward suffered a sprained left ankle in the opening-round victory over Tennessee State on March 20, which forced him to be sidelined for the Cyclones’ second-round win over Kentucky on March 22. It was the first game Jefferson missed since arriving at Iowa State for the 2024-25 season.
The senior watched from the bench and moved using a knee scooter and a boot, as Iowa State enjoyed an 82-63 victory over Kentucky to secure its third Sweet 16 appearance in five years.
He underwent an MRI on Monday, but it was for precautionary reasons. The MRI did not reveal anything new. Jefferson was not a full participant at Wednesday’s practice, but instead worked with the team’s training staff off to the side.
“He’s working tirelessly every day. Countless sessions in the training room. Doing everything he can. His ankle is getting better every single day. It’s going to take right up to game-time,” Otzelberger said. “We’re going to give it every possible chance to do that and he’s doing all that he can do. There’s not any percentages, predictions, unlikely, likely… Each day, there is pretty significant progress, but we’ll see where we’re at game time Friday night.”
Otzelberger also noted that Jefferson is not fully reliant on the knee scooter anymore.
“He’s starting to walk a little bit now,” Otzelberger said. “It’s not perfect, but it is progress.”
A second-team All-American by the Associated Press, Jefferson entered the NCAA Tournament averaging 16.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.7 steals per game, while shooting 47.0% overall and 34.5% from long range.
The Cyclones are set to face the Vols on Friday, March 27 at 9:10 p.m. CT from the United Center. The game will be televised on TBS.
The Volunteers are making their fourth straight Sweet 16 appearance. They secured their spot with a 78-56 opening-round win over 11-seed Miami (OH). They followed up with a 79-72 win over 3-seed Virginia in the second round.
Eugene Rapay covers Iowa State athletics for the Des Moines Register. Contact Eugene at erapay@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @erapay5
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Joshua Jefferson injury update for Iowa State basketball in Sweet 16
Reporting by Eugene Rapay, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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