Jan 21, 2025; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State Cyclones head coach T.J. Otzelberger talks with Iowa State Cyclones guard Curtis Jones (5) and Iowa State Cyclones guard Keshon Gilbert (10) during the second half of their game with the UCF Knights at James H. Hilton Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images
Iowa State men’s basketball won’t have two of its leading scorers when it takes on No. 5 Houston Saturday.
Both Curtis Jones, who’s averaging 17.2 points per game, and Keshon Gilbert (14.1 points per game) will not play in the top 10 matchup set to be featured on ESPN’s College GameDay.
Jones is out with an illness, while Gilbert is battling a muscle strain, according to an Iowa State spokesperson.
Members of the CycloneFanatic premium forum learned of their statuses earlier Friday.
The Cyclones are 2-1 against the Cougars since Houston joined the Big 12 Conference, but Kelvin Sampson’s squad is as stout as it gets at home.
Houston hasn’t lost a home game in two seasons, and has won 18 of its last 19 games since starting 4-3.
Saturday’s game will be the two program’s first meeting since Iowa State’s 69-41 win over Houston in the 2024 Big 12 Tournament championship game.
Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. on ESPN.
