In the upcoming NCAA Tournament first-round matchup, the No. 3 seed Iowa State Cyclones (24-9) will face the No. 14 seed Lipscomb Bisons (25-9) on Friday, March 21, at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. Iowa State, under coach T.J. Otzelberger, has been a formidable presence in the Big 12, boasting a balanced attack that ranks 36th nationally in points scored and 63rd in points allowed. However, the Cyclones face adversity with the loss of senior guard Keshon Gilbert, their second-leading scorer, due to a groin injury. On a positive note, junior guard Tamin Lipsey, known for his defensive prowess and playmaking abilities, is optimistic about returning after missing the Big 12 tournament quarterfinal loss to BYU with a groin issue. The team will also rely heavily on senior guard Curtis Jones, who has stepped up in Gilbert’s absence, notably scoring 31 points in their recent game against BYU.

Lipscomb enters the tournament as the Atlantic Sun Conference champions, making their second NCAA Tournament appearance in program history. The Bisons are led by senior forward Jacob Ognacevic, the ASUN Player of the Year, who averages 20.1 points and 8.1 rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 40.2% from three-point range. Offensively, Lipscomb ranks 52nd nationally in points scored and 74th in three-point percentage, making them a potential threat from beyond the arc. Defensively, they have been solid, allowing 67.3 points per game. While Iowa State’s defense will focus on containing Ognacevic, the Bisons’ efficient shooting and experience could pose challenges. The Cyclones’ ability to adapt without Gilbert and the performance of returning players like Lipsey will be crucial in determining the outcome of this matchup.