Iowa State star Joshua Jefferson left in the first half of the Cyclones’ 108-74 romp over Tennessee State with a left ankle injury Friday, leaving the All-American’s status for the remainder of the NCAA Tournament in doubt.
Jefferson landed awkwardly after a layup just 21/2 minutes into the first-round matchup in the Midwest Region. The 6-foot-9 senior had to be helped by trainers to the X-ray room, emerged about 10 minutes later using crutches, and watched the second half from the end of the Iowa State bench with his ankle in a bulky gray boot.
Nate Heise had eight of his season-high 23 points during a 23-0 run for the Cyclones (28-7), which began shortly after Jefferson was hurt and sent them breezing past the Tigers (23-10) and into a second-round matchup with seventh-seeded Kentucky on Sunday.
The Cyclones already were dealing with a groin injury that limited point guard Tamin Lipsey in the Big 12 Tournament. Now, their depth will be tested even more without Jefferson, who was second on the team in scoring and their leading rebounder.
Virginia 82, Wright State 73 — Jacari White hit six 3-pointers and scored 26 points, and third-seeded Virginia avoided yet another early NCAA Tournament exit, beating a resolute 14th-seeded Wright State team in the first round.
The Cavaliers (30-5) will face sixth-seeded Tennessee in the second round Sunday.
Virginia won its first NCAA Tournament game since it won the 2019 national title.
The Cavaliers lost in the first round or the First Four in 2021, 2023 and 2024, and title-winning coach Tony Bennett abruptly retired before last season. Ryan Odom took over this season and quickly turned the program around.
Odom knows all about Virginia upsets in the tournament. He coached UMBC in 2018 when it was the first No. 16 seed to knock off a No. 1 — yes, Virginia.
Wright State (24-11), a No. 14 seed, was an 181/2-point underdog according to BetMGM Sportsbook but never looked out of step as it tried to pull off the shocker.
Alabama 90, Hofstra 70 — Labaron Philon Jr. scored 29 points, and fourth-seeded Alabama rallied from an early double-digit deficit to beat 13th-seeded Hofstra.
The Crimson Tide (24-9) advanced to a second-round matchup against fifth-seeded Texas Tech (23-10).
Alabama ended the opening half on a 19-7 run to wipe out a 10-point deficit, then built its own lead to 13 before Hofstra (24-11) mounted one last push for a possible upset.
Freshman Preston Edmead had 24 points for the Pride, and his basket pulled the Pride within 67-62 with about seven minutes remaining. Victory Onuetu’s dunk trimmed Alabama’s lead to 69-64 and ignited much of a crowd of 17,769 that threw its support behind the underdogs.
Tennessee 78, Miami (Ohio) 56 — Ja’Kobi Gillespie hit six 3-pointers and scored 29 points as sixth-seeded Tennessee ended a fabulous season for 11th-seeded Miami (Ohio).
Gillespie hit five 3s in the first half to help the Vols (23-11) push ahead by 20 and squash any chance the 11th-seeded RedHawks (31-2) could carry over the confidence gained from their First Four win and pull off a signature victory.
Texas Tech 91, Akron 71 — Jaylen Petty scored 24 points, Christian Anderson added 18 and fifth-seeded Texas Tech (23-10) beat 12th-seeded Akron.
Playing without All-America guard JT Toppin, who tore the ACL in his right knee last month, Texas Tech got double-figure scoring from five players.
Josiah Moseley had 16 points, Donovan Atwell scored 15 and LeJuan Watts added 14.
Amani Lyles led Akron with 26 points, and Shammah Scott had 20.
Akron (29-6) became first team to win the Mid-American Conference Tournament three straight years. But the Zips again failed to reach the second round in their eighth March Madness appearance.
West Region
Arizona 92, Long Island 58 — Brayden Burries hit four 3-pointers while scoring 18 points, Koa Peat added 15 points and top-seeded Arizona opened its NCAA Tournament run with a win over 16th-seeded Long Island.
Ivan Kharchenkov had 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Big 12 regular-season and tournament champion Wildcats (33-2), who quickly showed why they’re the tournament’s second overall seed behind Duke.
Pushing the pace on offense and stifling the Sharks with defense, Arizona went up by double digits in the opening minutes and led Long Island by 27 in the first half while delighting the thousands of fans who filled Viejas Arena with red.
Utah State 86, Villanova 76 — MJ Collins’ steal and emphatic one-handed slam dunk with 1:13 left gave him 20 points, and ninth-seeded Utah State opened its fourth straight NCAA Tournament by beating eighth-seeded Villanova.
Mason Falslev, the Mountain West Conference Player of the Year, scored 22 and helped bring the Aggies back from a 10-point deficit early in the second half.
Utah State (29-6) will play No. 1 seed Arizona in the second round Sunday.
Lindsay made six 3-pointers and scored 25 points for Villanova. Duke Brennan and Tyler Perkins added 15 points apiece.