(Ames, IA) — If Iowa St. men’s basketball is going to do deep in the NCAA Tournament, they will have to do it without starter Keshon Gilbert. Head Coach T.J. Otzelberger made that announcement on Monday. He did not elaborate more than that other than to say that no matter how long the Cyclones stay alive that Gilbert will not play ending his season. However, Otzelberger does expect point guard Tamin Lipsey to return to the line up for the first round game against Lipscomb on Friday
Audio PlayerGilbert has missed a total of 4 games this season and is the 2nd leading scorer for Iowa St. averaging 13.4 points per game. He leads the team in assists at 4.1 a game plus averaged 3.5 rebounds a contest. The senior is 26-78 on his three point shots for 33 percent. With Gilbert out, 6th man Curtis Jones could move into the starting line up although when Gilbert missed the regular season finale, Nate Heise got the start and Jones came off the bench.
Iowa St. is the three seed in the South Region of the NCAA Tournament and will take on 14th seeded Lipscomb in the first round on Friday at 3:30 pm, 2:30 Cyclones Pre Game on KSOM.
