Iowa State Forward Joshua Jefferson “Progressing” Ahead of Sweet Sixteen vs. Tennessee

Image: Luke Lu/Iowa State Athletics

By Aidan Sidoti

Iowa State All‑American forward Joshua Jefferson is “continuing to progress,” per CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein, after suffering an ankle injury in the Cyclones’ first‑round win over Tennessee State. Jefferson, the team’s second‑leading scorer and top rebounder, averages 16.4 points and 7.4 rebounds per game and was awarded All-Big 12 First Team honors this season.

Jefferson missed Sunday’s Round of 32 matchup against Kentucky, though his absence hardly mattered. Iowa State delivered Kentucky’s worst NCAA Tournament loss since 1972, rolling the Wildcats 82-63 to punch its ticket to the Sweet Sixteen.

CBS Sports injury analyst Marty Jaramillo added more optimism Monday, reporting that Jefferson is undergoing an MRI and, “barring any hidden findings,” is expected to play Friday night in a game that will be played into Saturday (seriously, who decided on a 10:10 p.m. tipoff time?). 

With the growing sentiment that Jefferson will be available, Tennessee knows exactly what awaits. Rick Barnes’ squad will need to replicate the defensive effort it showed Sunday against No. 3 seed Virginia, a 79-72 win where the Vols held the Cavaliers under 40 percent shooting and won the rebounding battle by nine.

Tipoff between Tennessee and Iowa State is scheduled for an absurd 10:10 p.m. Eastern on TBS, because apparently someone decided Sweet Sixteen basketball should end well after midnight.