Vols Meet Cyclones in Sweet Sixteen Showdown for Spot in Elite Eight
Image: Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics
By Aidan Sidoti
No. 6 Tennessee heads into Friday night’s Sweet Sixteen matchup against No. 2 Iowa State with a place in the Elite Eight at stake, and the biggest storyline centers on the health of Cyclones All‑American forward Joshua Jefferson. Jefferson remains a game‑time decision after suffering a sprained ankle in Iowa State’s first‑round win over Tennessee State, an injury that kept him out of the Cyclones’ Round of 32 victory over Kentucky. He averages 16.4 points and 7.4 rebounds per game and has been one of the most consistent two‑way players in the country.
Tennessee enters the night knowing exactly what kind of challenge awaits if Jefferson is able to go. Rick Barnes’ team is coming off a 79–72 win over No. 3 seed Virginia, a game where the Vols held the Cavaliers under 40 percent shooting and won the rebounding battle by nine. That defensive effort will need to carry over against an Iowa State offense averaging just over 81 points per game, powered by multiple high‑level scorers including Milan Momcilovic who averages 17.2 points a contest and shoots an absurd 49.3% from behind the arc.
Freshman forward Nate Ament, who has been managing a nagging ankle issue, does not appear on Tennessee’s injury report and is expected to be available. His scoring presence will be needed after only scoring 16 points through the first two games of the tournament.
The Vols are seeking their third straight Elite Eight appearance as the program continues its pursuit of the first Final Four in school history. Oddsmakers have Tennessee listed as a 4.5‑point underdog, with the over/under set at 139.5. Tipoff from the United Center in Chicago is scheduled for 10:10 p.m. Eastern on TBS.
