NCAA BASKETBALL: Iowa State Forward Joshua Jefferson is game-time decision vs. Tennessee

Iowa State All-American forward Joshua Jefferson’s status for Friday night’s Sweet 16 game against Tennessee in Chicago likely won’t be known until shortly before tipoff, Cyclones coach T.J. Otzelberger said Wednesday.

Jefferson sprained his left ankle while driving to the hoop in Iowa State’s first-round game against Tennessee State last Friday. He also missed the Cyclones’ second-round matchup against Kentucky two days later.

“He's working tirelessly every day,” Otzelberger said at the team hotel. “Countless sessions in the training room. Doing everything he can. His ankle is getting better every single day. It will go right up to game time.

“There's not any percentages, predictions, unlikely, likely. It is literally, he is working tirelessly to compete to do everything he can to be on the court for our team. We'll see where we're at game time Friday night.”

Jefferson leads Iowa State with 7.4 rebounds per game and ranks second on the team in scoring (16.4) and assists (4.8).

—Field Level Media/Reuters