Basketball is a game of attrition. While the Kentucky Wildcats epitomized the "survive and advance" mantra to a T, they may actually have a halfway decent chance of knocking off Iowa State in their upcoming Round of 32 game on Sunday. This may have more to do with a key injury to the Cyclones than anything. Their All-American forward Joshua Jefferson suffered a nasty ankle injury on Friday.
After the game, CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein asked Iowa State coach TJ Otzelberger about his status.
"I don't know what his status will be at this point, so we'll check on him after the game, and we'll see. I know he's a fierce competitor. If there's any way he can be out there, we know he will."
Otzelberger will obviously try to keep this close to the vest, but it is not looking great for Jefferson.
"I don't know what his status will be at this point... I know he's a fierce competitor. If there's any way he can be out there, we know he will."
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 20, 2026
-- @CycloneMBB's T. J. Otzelberger on the status of All-American Joshua Jefferson | 🎙️ @JonRothstein pic.twitter.com/ZXZmUHKdoE
Iowa State has opened up as only a 5.5-point favorite over Kentucky in their Round of 32 matchup...
If lucks continue to be on Mark Pope, Otega Oweh, and the rest of Kentucky's side, they may do this.
Kentucky is the unexpected beneficiary of a massive Iowa State injury
Depending on how Jefferson's ankle looks over the next day or so, that could shrink the betting line even more. Iowa State is the No. 2 seed and Kentucky is the No. 7, so keep that in mind. All that aside, Pope may somehow fall ass backwards into back-to-back Sweet 16s in his first two years leading his alma mater of Kentucky. He already has won three NCAA Tournament games so far leading the 'Cats.
Let's be real. For as much as Iowa State loomed large as a potential second-round matchup coming into the tournament, the Cyclones do look a bit more gettable now. Even if they won by a massive margin on Friday afternoon, it was against No. 15 Tennessee State. What can we glean from that game anyway, other than the status of Jefferson's injured ankle and what Otzelberger will do about it?
At this time, the vibes seem to be higher for Kentucky winning in dramatic fashion over Santa Clara than Iowa State clobbering Tennessee State, but suffering a major injury in the process. Although the Wildcats are really going to have to earn it this time and play some clean basketball, there is a non-zero chance they can get past the Cyclones and into the Sweet 16. Pope may just be built for March.
It stinks that Jefferson got hurt, but it does plan into the notion that Kentucky could be giant killers.