It's been an uneven season for freshman wing, Kanon Catchings, as his minutes have fluctuated from game to game during the in-conference slate. Since his designation to the bench, Kanon hasn't been able to find a rhythm on a consistent basis, and a knee injury sustained in a home win against West Virginia may keep him sidelined through the Big 12 Conference Tournament.
That's a major blow to a BYU basketball team that will need all hands on deck to make a run through a top-heavy tournament format. Win against Iowa State, and your reward is a likely matchup with Houston. Win that game, and you'll be fortunate to face Arizona or Kansas, as Texas Tech likely emerges from the scuffle in the championship game.
Kanon's absence is tough for a BYU team that is always happy to add more shooters to the perimeter.
Fortunately for Kevin Young's side, however, the Cyclones may face some injury trouble of their own, and to some major players at that.
Iowa State's Tamin Lipsey (groin) and Keshon Gilbert (muscle strain) are both game-time decisions for today's Big 12 Tournament game against BYU, per a school spokesman.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 13, 2025
Lipsey averages 10.8 PPG and 3.2 APG.
Gilbert averages 13.4 PPG.
Tamin Lipsey, the Cyclones' veteran point guard and floor general joins defensive stopper Keshon Gilbert as a game-time decision for TJ Otzelberger and Iowa State. Two critical pieces of Iowa State's rotation, the Cyclones could find themselves shorthanded against a BYU basketball team that is rested, prepared, and anxious to prove themselves on a bigger stage.
Do the Cyclones risk further injury for a Big 12 title run, or save their guards for a romp through the NCAA Tournament in a week?
It's a real dilemma, and while BYU has proven to be reliable winners in recent weeks absent of Catchings, Lipsey and Gilbert are vital organs in the Iowa State body. This will be a storyline to follow closely in the coming hours.