Mar 8, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Cade Kelderman (13) is guarded by Kansas State Wildcats guard Dug McDaniel (0) during the second half at Bramlage Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images.
MILWAUKEE — Cade Kelderman granted permission before the social media post went viral.
The post in question? A photo featuring his dad, Justin, and he decked out in Iowa State gear at the 2017 NCAA Tournament in Milwaukee.
Cade — then a bright-eyed youth, and now a rotational player for the Cyclones — said, ‘Sure,’ and watched it rack up more than 1,000 likes by Thursday afternoon.
“I was like, ‘Wow, it’s crazy how fast time goes,’” said Kelderman, a sophomore walk-on guard from Waukee who hopes to help third-seeded ISU (24-9) beat 14-seed Lipscomb (25-9) at 12:30 p.m. Friday (TNT) at the Fiserv Forum.
Kelderman’s made the most of his limited playing time late in the season, and has doled out two assists in two of the past three games. He’s savoring every moment on the floor as a lifelong Cyclone fan-turned-contributing player.
“As much as you want to make the NCAA Tournament feel bigger than what it is,” Kelderman said. “It is just another game. We do everything that we do in practice for a reason — for it to translate to the game. So just trust the work you do every single and know good things will happen when you do that.”
LIPSEY’S HEALTH UPDATE
Tamin Lipsey’s legendary pain threshold finally exceeded its limit.
The perpetually banged-up, but rarely sidelined star Iowa State point guard made the difficult decision to sit out last Friday’s Big 12 Tournament loss to BYU — but his groin injury has healed enough for him to play Friday against the Bisons.
“I don’t know the percentage,” Lipsey said when asked to put a number on his health status. “I think anything north of 80 is pretty good. I don’t think you can ever get to 100 just with the wear and tear of the season, but I think I’ll be good.”
Lipsey’s been superb as his ball-handling duties have spiked in Keshon Gilbert’s absence, crafting a 23-to-3 assist-to-turnover ratio in his past three games. He’s also scored 15 or more points in three of his past four outings, while supplying ISU with his usual stringent defense.
“He looks great,” Cyclone head coach T.J. Otzelberger said. “He’s moving great. He’s feeling great. He’s confident. Excited to have him back out there for us.”
DRIVEWAY DREAMS
The closest Iowa State senior big man Dishon Jackson came to playing in the NCAA Tournament was his childhood driveway — until now.
“It’s something that kids dream about,” said the 6-11 Jackson, an Oakland, Calif., native who grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds in the Cyclones’ 76-56 win over Cincinnati in the Big 12 Tournament. “I used to play in my driveway shooting March Madness shots, like, counting down the shot clock, also it’s just a dream come true for me.”
Jackson’s attempted (and missed) just one 3-pointer this season, but in that driveway? He had exquisite range.
“Man, I’m shooting everything,” he said.
