Iowa State, Kentucky set for March Madness showdown

Cyclones, Wildcats clash in Midwest Region second-round battle

Mar. 22, 2026 at 6:20am

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The No. 2 seed Iowa State Cyclones and No. 7 seed Kentucky Wildcats are set to face off in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Iowa State advanced with a convincing win over Tennessee State, but lost star forward Joshua Jefferson to an ankle injury. Kentucky survived an overtime thriller against Santa Clara, with Otega Oweh's heroics sparking the Wildcats. If Jefferson is unable to play, Iowa State will lean on Tamin Lipsey and Milan Momcilovic, while Kentucky will look to exploit the interior with Oweh and Mouhamed Dioubate.

Why it matters

This matchup features two top-25 teams with contrasting styles - Iowa State's elite defense against Kentucky's high-powered offense. The availability of Joshua Jefferson is a key factor, as his absence could tilt the advantage to the Wildcats. The winner will advance to the Sweet 16, with a potential path to the Final Four on the line.

The details

Iowa State cruised past Tennessee State 108-74 in the opening round, but lost Jefferson to an ankle injury early in the game. Kentucky needed overtime to get past Santa Clara, with Oweh's 40-foot buzzer-beater forcing the extra period. If Jefferson can't play, the Cyclones will rely heavily on Lipsey and Momcilovic to counter Kentucky's length inside.

  • Iowa State defeated Tennessee State on March 19.
  • Kentucky defeated Santa Clara in overtime on March 19.
  • The Iowa State vs. Kentucky second-round game is scheduled for March 22 at 2:45 p.m. ET.

The players

Joshua Jefferson

An All-American forward for Iowa State, averaging nearly 17 points and 8 rebounds per game. His status for the Kentucky game is uncertain due to an ankle injury suffered in the opening round.

Tamin Lipsey

A key player for Iowa State who will need to step up if Jefferson is unable to play.

Milan Momcilovic

Another important piece for the Cyclones' frontcourt, expected to play a bigger role if Jefferson is out.

Otega Oweh

The Kentucky guard who hit the game-tying 40-foot buzzer-beater to force overtime against Santa Clara, sparking the Wildcats' comeback.

Mouhamed Dioubate

Kentucky's big man who will look to exploit the interior if Jefferson is unable to play for Iowa State.

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What they’re saying

“We must find a way to win this game, with or without Joshua. The team is ready to step up and fill that void if needed.”

— T.J. Otzelberger, Iowa State Head Coach

“That shot at the buzzer was unbelievable. It gave us so much momentum heading into the next round. We're ready to take on Iowa State.”

— Otega Oweh

What’s next

The winner of the Iowa State vs. Kentucky game will advance to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

This second-round matchup between Iowa State and Kentucky features two teams with contrasting styles and high stakes, as the winner will move one step closer to the Final Four. The availability of Joshua Jefferson is a crucial factor that could determine the outcome of the game.