Will Tennessee face Iowa State star Joshua Jefferson on Friday night?
Mar 20, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Iowa State Cyclones forward Joshua Jefferson (5) is helped off of the court after suffering an apparent injury to his left leg while shooting a layup against Tennessee State Tigers forward Jalen Pitre (not pictured) during the first half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-Imagn Images | Jeff Le-Imagn Images The Tennessee Volunteers are getting ready for their Sweet Sixteen clash on Friday night in Chicago, where they’ll take on the Iowa State Cyclones.
The Cyclones come into the game with a bit of momentum. After losing 4 of 7, they come in having won 5 of their last 6, including winning both NCAA Tournament games handily. They bounced Kentucky 82-63 in the second round with a 51-33 second half.
Perhaps most impressively, they rolled the Wildcats without their star player, forward Joshua Jefferson. The 6-9 standout suffered an ankle injury early in the Cyclones’ tournament opener against Tennessee State and missed the game against Kentucky. Will he be back for Friday night against the Vols?
Per his head coach, T. J. Otzelberger, it’ll be a game time decision.
T. J. Otzelberger told reporters today that Iowa State's Joshua Jefferson (ankle) will be a game-time decision for Friday's Sweet 16 game against Tennessee.