Keshon Gilbert, Tamin Lipsey injury updates: Report reveals latest on Iowa State stars vs. BYU

The Iowa State Cyclones are preparing to take on the BYU Cougars in the Big 12 Tournament. Unfortunately, the Cyclones are now getting bad news with a report that guard Keshon Gilbert is out for the quarterfinal game with a lingering muscle strain injury.

Gilbert isn’t the only Cyclone dealing with injury issues, though. Iowa State is also concerned about guard Tamin Lipsey. In his case, however, he’s going to test himself in warmups and then make a decision on whether or not he’s going to be able to play. However, it’s a groin injury for Lipsey, and those can be difficult to navigate.

Iowa State’s success this season was largely on the back of Gilbert and Lipsey. Both of the guards ended up earning Third-Team All-Big 12 honors. That’s in a season where Gilbert has started 28 of the 29 games he’s played and is averaging 31.6 minutes per game. He’s also averaging 13.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. As for Lipsey, he’s started all 32 games he’s played and is averaging 31.2 minutes per game to go along with 10.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game.

Both Gilbert and Lipsey were able to play in Iowa State’s game against Cincinnati on Wednesday. That game saw Lipsey start and Gilbert come in off the bench. However, the muscle strain had previously kept Gilbert from finishing the regular season.

As for Lipsey, he injured his groin in the game against Cincinnati. That was with three minutes left in the game and he would be seen going to the locker room with a trainer. After the game, head coach T. J. Otzelberger said, “He tweaked it, but I think for sure he’ll be fine and he’ll be good to go tomorrow.”

With Gilbert out, the Cyclones’ depth at guard is already going to be tested. Losing Lipsey would be a major blow and would likely force Nate Heise to take on a much larger role. It would also likely force Otzelberger to get more creative with his lineups.

Tip off for the game between Iowa State and BYU is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 13th. It will be played in Kansas City. That makes for a local time of 11:30 a.m. CT. The winner is set to advance to the semifinals of the Big 12 Tournament.

The winner play either Houston or Colorado, depending on who wins that quarterfinal matchup. Houston is the top-seeded team in the Big 12 Tournament.