CHICAGO — Playing without second-team All-American forward Joshua Jefferson for most of the NCAA Tournament has forced Iowa State to regroup.
As the second-seeded Cyclones prepare for Friday’s Midwest Region semifinal against No. 6 Tennessee, they know they’ll have to rebound — whether Jefferson is in the lineup or not.
Tennessee (24-11) seeks a third straight berth in the Elite Eight and is in the Sweet 16 for the fourth consecutive season.
The Volunteers are fourth in the nation in rebounds per game, with their 15.8 offensive boards per game ranking second.
While point guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie collected 50 points and 15 assists to help steer Tennessee to opening-weekend wins against Miami (Ohio) and Virginia, the depth of the Volunteers’ front line shined, too. J.P. Estrella, a 6-foot-11 forward, grabbed 10 rebounds in the Miami (Ohio) game, with 6-foot-11 counterpart Felix Okpara collecting eight against Virginia.
“For us guards, obviously it’s going to be a lot of helping down for our guys shooting a perimeter shot or getting back,” Iowa State’s Tamin Lipsey said. “It’s going to be helping crack down on the bigger guys and fly around to get those loose-ball rebounds and just do the same thing.”
Iowa State (29-7) thumped Tennessee State by 34 in a first-round victory even after Jefferson sprained his left ankle in the opening minutes.
On Sunday, Lipsey scored a career-best 26 points and Milan Momcilovic added 20 to help the Cyclones overcome an early double-digit deficit and defeat No. 7 Kentucky 82-63.
Cyclones coach T.J. Otzelberger said Jefferson will be a game-time decision Friday, with the call resting on the shoulders of the team’s second-leading scorer (16.4) and top rebounder (7.4).
“It’s ultimately Joshua’s decision,” Otzelberger said. “We love him. We support him. We’re going to give him all the information and resources.
“But it ultimately comes down to he’s a fierce competitor. He’s a warrior. He’ll do anything to be out there for his teammates. I know if that’s a possibility that he will take advantage of it.”
Jefferson said he will “roll with it” if he has a little bit of pain he can tolerate.
Gillespie (18.4 points per game) and Nate Ament (16.9) give Tennessee balance on the offensive end. Coach Rick Barnes also credits the duo with helping recalibrate the locker room.
“Because they have never, ever made it about them — ever,” Barnes said. “It’s not about them. They want this team to be up front and foremost. When you’ve got two guys that think like that, it’s easy for everybody else to fall in behind them.”
No matter the lineup for either side, the Volunteers will look to channel their toughness, same as a defensive-minded Cyclones team that also relies upon it.
“That’s what we do every day. I feel like that’s a habit we have,” Tennessee’s Amari Evans said. “It’s going to be huge because they’re tough, we’re tough, and may the best man win.”
