Updated March 27, 2026, 9:52 p.m. ET
CHICAGO — It’s been greater than 1 / 4 century since Iowa State basketball final reached an Elite Eight.
Will that change tonight?
The No. 2 Cyclones face No. 6 Tennessee in Friday night’s Sweet 16 on the United Center with an opportunity to attain its first Elite Eight since 2000.
Tennessee, alternatively, is in search of its third straight journey to the Elite Eight — although the Volunteers have by no means reached a Final Four.
Iowa State All-American Joshua Jefferson is not going to play. He was injured early within the Cyclones’ first spherical win over Tennessee State and did not play in opposition to Kentucky within the second spherical.
Tennessee’s freshman star Nate Ament was restricted within the Volunteers’ first spherical win as he recovers from his personal harm, however performed 29 minutes within the Vols’ second spherical upset of Virginia.
But whereas these frontcourt stars could have the pregame highlight, the matchup within the backcourt will doubtless determine tonight’s recreation.
Iowa State’s Tamin Lipsey and Tennessee’s Ja’Kobi Gillespie are two of the highest level guards within the nation, and so they’re each coming off of standout performances. Lipsey had a career-high 26 factors, with 10 assists to spherical out a double-double effort in opposition to Kentucky. Gillespie simply had his third straight 20-point recreation of the postseason.
The winner of tonight’s recreation advances to Sunday’s Elite Eight, the place it is going to play the winner of Michigan vs. Alabama.
Here’s what you want to know for tonight’s Tennessee vs. Iowa State Sweet 16 recreation, together with predictions and how to watch.
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Tennessee vs Iowa State live rating
| TEAMS | 1H | 2H | F |
| Tennessee | — | — | — |
| Iowa State | — | — | — |
What time is Iowa State vs Tennessee?
- Time: 10:20 p.m. ET, Friday, March 27.
What channel is Iowa State vs Tennessee? How to watch, streaming information
- The recreation is airing on TBS/truTV, streaming by way of Fubo.
Iowa State vs Tennessee prediction, odds
∎ Eugene Rapay, Des Moines Register: Iowa State 74, Tennessee 68
With or with out Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State nonetheless has the items and instruments to win. Jefferson’s absence could create for a extra uphill battle within the paint or on the glass, however the Cyclones’ degree of defensive disruption has solely risen for the reason that postseason tipped off. Creating turnovers would be the key, and Iowa State has already proven that it will possibly climate cold-shooting stretches or opposed conditions when it doubles down on protection. The Cyclones will want to do the identical right here.
∎ Wynton Jackson, Knoxville News Sentinel: Iowa State 68, Tennessee 64
Iowa State put collectively an entire efficiency in opposition to a crew Tennessee crumbled in opposition to twice. The Cyclones confirmed their top-15 ranked protection with intense ball stress on Kentucky, holding the Wildcats out of the paint and draining the shot clock out on the perimeter.
Iowa State additionally pressured 20 turnovers within the win, which has been a priority for Tennessee all season. The Vols dedicated 16 turnovers in opposition to Miami (Ohio), and one other 10 in opposition to Virginia.
Kentucky stored tempo with the Cyclones within the rebounding battle, which may lean extra closely in Tennessee’s favor if Jefferson is out.
It is difficult, although, to proceed banking on elite capturing numbers from the Vols, particularly in opposition to one of many prime defenses within the nation. Tennessee additionally made various errors down the stretch that Virginia could not capitalize on. Iowa State will not give them the identical grace.
- Blake Toppmeyer: Tennessee
- Paul Myerberg: Iowa State
- Jordan Mendoza: Iowa State
- John Brice: Iowa State
- Matt Glenesk: Tennessee
- Craig Meyer: Tennessee
- John Leuzzi: Iowa State
- Austin Curtright: Iowa State
- Ehsan Kassim: Tennessee
- Moneyline: Iowa State (-190); Tennessee (+154)
- Spread: Iowa State (-3.5)
- Over/underneath whole: 139.5
Joshua Jefferson harm replace: Will Iowa State star play tonight vs Tennessee
Cyclones coach T.J. Otzelberger instructed reporters in Chicago on Wednesday, March 25 that Iowa State ahead Joshua Jefferson has seen “pretty significant progress” along with his restoration from an ankle harm and that he’s a game-time resolution for Friday’s Sweet 16 game against 2-seed Tennessee.
Jefferson sustained an ankle harm within the opening minutes of the primary spherical of March Madness, and has been sidelined since, together with being dominated out within the second spherical in opposition to Kentucky.
Jefferson was current at apply and had shed the boot on his ankle on Thursday on the United Center in Chicago.
In the quarter-hour the Cyclones apply was open to the media, Jefferson was noticed taking apply photographs within the first couple of minutes earlier than spending the vast majority of the session dribbling close to halfcourt and speaking to coaches.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported an hour earlier than tip that Jefferson would NOT play Friday evening.
What did TJ Otzelberger say about UNC basketball coach opening?
Ahead of his crew’s Sweet 16 recreation in opposition to No. 6 seed Tennessee on Friday, March 27, Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger began his media availability in Chicago by addressing his identify being tied to different job openings.
He didn’t straight point out North Carolina. Here’s what he mentioned:
“Any speculation with me and any other jobs or opportunities is not true,” Otzelberger mentioned on March 25.
Nate Ament harm replace: How a lot will Vols star play vs Iowa State?
The All-SEC freshman remains to be coping with soreness. He performed 29 minutes within the Vols’ second spherical win over Virginia, scoring 16 factors.
“There’s no chance I’d sit out a March Madness game,” he said prior to the UVA recreation. “It’s about what can we do to get back to 100%, or as close to it as we can.”
Tennessee coach Rick Barnes known as the harm a “problem,” and Ament will not be totally wholesome till he will get break day on the finish of the season.
“We need Nate. He knows it, but he will give us everything that he can, and that’s really all I can say about it. If it’s up to him, he would play every minute if he could,” Barnes mentioned.
Rick Barnes March Madness document
Barnes is 37-25 in his profession within the NCAA Tournament and led Texas to the 2003 Final Four.
Nate Ament 2026 NBA Draft, mock draft prediction
No. 11 total to Portland Trail Blazers.
Kalbrosky’s Analysis:
After a comparatively sluggish and inefficient begin to the season, Tennessee freshman Nate Ament is beginning to notice a few of his lofty expectations. The freshman averaged 21.6 factors per recreation whereas capturing 38.9 p.c on 3-pointers throughout a 13-game stretch earlier than an harm in opposition to Alabama on Feb. 28. The All-SEC ahead then had 27 factors (4-of-6 on 3-pointers) with eight rebounds, 4 assists, three blocks and a steal in opposition to Auburn on March 12. It will solely take one crew to fall in love with Ament and given a lot of what he brings to the desk can’t be taught, that crew might be choosing pretty early within the lottery.
(*16*)
Nate Ament stats
(all stats as of March 15)
- 17.5 factors per recreation
- 6.6 rebounds per recreation
- 2.5 assists per recreation
- 40.5% area purpose share
- 33.1% three-point area purpose share
