Sweet 16 mainstays Tennessee, Iowa State target next steps

Cyclones look to rebound against Volunteers' deep frontcourt

Mar. 27, 2026 at 12:48am

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As the second-seeded Iowa State Cyclones prepare to face the sixth-seeded Tennessee Volunteers in the Midwest Region semifinal of the NCAA Tournament, both teams are focused on their next steps. Iowa State has had to regroup after losing second-team All-American forward Joshua Jefferson for most of the tournament due to an ankle injury, while Tennessee is aiming for its third straight Elite Eight berth and fourth consecutive Sweet 16 appearance.

Why it matters

This matchup features two teams with strong rebounding and defensive identities, setting the stage for a physical battle in the Sweet 16. The outcome could determine which program takes the next step towards a potential Final Four appearance.

The details

Iowa State will need to find a way to limit Tennessee's dominance on the boards, especially with the Volunteers' deep frontcourt of 6-foot-11 forwards J.P. Estrella and Felix Okpara. The Cyclones' guards, led by Tamin Lipsey, will be tasked with crashing the glass and helping out their big men. Meanwhile, Tennessee's backcourt duo of Ja'Kobi Gillespie and Nate Ament have provided balance and leadership for the Volunteers, who are known for their toughness and defensive intensity.

  • The Midwest Region semifinal between Iowa State and Tennessee is scheduled for Friday, March 27, 2026.
  • Iowa State defeated Tennessee State by 34 points in the first round, even after Jefferson sprained his left ankle in the opening minutes.
  • On Sunday, March 23, 2026, Iowa State defeated No. 7 Kentucky 82-63, with Lipsey scoring a career-high 26 points and Milan Momcilovic adding 20.

The players

Joshua Jefferson

Iowa State's second-team All-American forward, who has been sidelined for most of the NCAA Tournament due to a sprained left ankle.

Tamin Lipsey

Iowa State's starting point guard, who scored a career-best 26 points in the Cyclones' win over Kentucky.

J.P. Estrella

Tennessee's 6-foot-11 forward, who grabbed 10 rebounds in the Volunteers' win over Miami (Ohio).

Felix Okpara

Tennessee's other 6-foot-11 forward, who collected eight rebounds in the Volunteers' victory against Virginia.

Ja'Kobi Gillespie

Tennessee's starting point guard, who averaged 50 points and 15 assists in the Volunteers' opening-weekend wins.

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What they’re saying

“For us guards, obviously it's going to be a lot of helping down for our guys shooting a perimeter shot or getting back. It's going to be helping crack down on the bigger guys and fly around to get those loose-ball rebounds and just do the same thing.”

— Tamin Lipsey, Iowa State guard

“Because they have never, ever made it about them — ever. It's not about them. They want this team to be up front and foremost. When you've got two guys that think like that, it's easy for everybody else to fall in behind them.”

— Rick Barnes, Tennessee head coach

“That's what we do every day. I feel like that's a habit we have. It's going to be huge because they're tough, we're tough, and may the best man win.”

— Amari Evans, Tennessee player

What’s next

The winner of the Iowa State-Tennessee matchup will advance to the Midwest Region final, where they will face the winner of the other semifinal between No. 1 Houston and No. 5 Miami.

The takeaway

This Sweet 16 clash between two defensive-minded, rebounding-focused teams promises to be a physical, hard-fought battle, with the outcome potentially determining which program takes the next step towards a potential Final Four appearance.