Iowa State's Jefferson Out, Kentucky's Lowe, Quaintance Out

0:00On March 22, Iowa State's star guard Joshua Jefferson, a second team all-American and their top assist maker, is officially out for today's. Second round NCAA tournament clash with Kentucky. He suffered an ankle sprain in the first round win over Tennessee State, and the final availability report confirmed it Sunday morning. X-rays on the ankle came back negative, but Jefferson has been sidelined in a walking boot, unable to move without crutches or a scooter. Iowa State also rules out Mason Williams, who at season ending surgery earlier, while Zavian Mitchell remains questionable after missing the opener. With an undisclosed issue, on Kentucky side, Jalan Lowe and Jaden Quintins are out as expected from prior injuries. Coach T.J. Ozzelberger called it unlikely Jefferson would suit up, prioritizing his recovery and the player himself hoped to return next weekend. Instead, without Jefferson, the cyclone shifted to Backup Dominic Nelson, which helped them

1:00dominate but weakened their rebounding edge, a key factor against Kentucky size. Kentucky staff prepared assuming Jefferson would play, so they might tweak plans on the fly. The game tips off at 2.45 pm, Eastern Time, or 1.45 pm local in St. Louis, right after Purdue faces Miami on CBS. In short-handed, Iowa State opened as a five and a half point favorite. This absence reshapes Iowa State's flow, testing their depth as both teams chase a sweet 16 spot.