No. 2 Iowa State vs. No. 7 Kentucky NCAA Tournament predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets

The momentum Iowa State gained from a dominant 108–74 victory over Tennessee State in the First Round, is tempered by the uncertain status of Second-Team All-American  Joshua Jefferson as the Cyclones prepare for a Second Round game against the Kentucky Wildcats. Jefferson suffered an ankle injury in the opening minutes of the game against the Tigers and did not return. He is listed on the injury report as doubtful.

Without Jefferson, who leads the team averaging nearly 17 points per game, the Cyclones will be forced to lean more on their top-tier defense and the outside shooting of  Milan Momcilovic , who is currently hitting nearly 50% from three-point range and point guard Tamin Lipsey . Kentucky takes the court Sunday at the Enterprise Center following a dramatic 89–84 overtime escape against Santa Clara. Otega Oweh  forced overtime with a game-tying buzzer-beater a few dribbles across midcourt.

Under Head Coach  Mark Pope , the Wildcats run a high-octane offense and with Jefferson possibly sidelined for Iowa State, the pedal will be put to the floor for 40 minutes. To pull off the upset and reach back-to-back Sweet 16s, Kentucky must leverage their rebounding advantage against an Iowa State team that has struggled at times on the glass even with a healthy Jefferson. It would not hurt Pope’s crew to shoot the ball as they did against Santa Clara when they knocked down 51% of the shots they took.

This is the second meeting between these schools. Kentucky took out ISU in that meeting, 87-71. The winner advances to the Sweet 16 and a date against the winner of Tennessee and Virginia.