Iowa State will lack one of its key members during the NCAA tournament, following Coach T.J. Otzelberger’s announcement on Sunday that their standout point guard will not participate. Keshon Gilbert Will happen going ahead.
Gilbert, absent for four out of Iowa State's last seven games due to a groin injury, tops the Cyclones in both assists and playing time. Additionally, he ranks as the squad’s second-highest scorer with an average of 13.4 points each contest.
A spokesperson for the team subsequently stated that Gilbert will miss the complete NCAA tournament, signaling the conclusion of his illustrious Iowa State career as a senior player.
This represents a significant setback for the Cyclones (24-9), who secured a No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament and will face off against No. 14 Lipscomb in Milwaukee. Should they progress further, their next match would be against the victor between No. 5 Ole Miss and No. 11 San Diego State.
Otzelberger also brought some positive updates. Tamin Lipsey (He will likely return for the NCAA tournament) after missing Iowa State's Big 12 tournament defeat against BYU on Thursday.
"I'm confident he will be prepared for our match on Friday," Otzelberger stated regarding Lipsey, who scores an average of 10.8 points.
Gilbert isn't as lucky. He's been struggling with a persistent lower-body injury, which he referred to as a groin issue during the Big 12 tournament. Although he managed to play against Cincinnati on Wednesday, Gilbert sat out of the game against BYU on Thursday for Iowa State.
Otzelberger stated in Ames, Iowa, on Sunday, "We agreed that he should concentrate on his rehabilitation and restoring the condition of his body."
Gilbert has been coping with an injury throughout most of the conference season. He sat out the game on March 8 against Kansas State and consecutive games in late February against Houston and Oklahoma State.
Out of Iowa State's total 34 games this season, he participated in 29 matches and maintained an average of 31.6 minutes per game along with 4.1 assists.
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