Iowa State basketball to be without Curtis Jones, Keshon Gilbert vs. Houston

Posted by author February 21, 2025 Basketball

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Iowa State basketball’s already difficult trip to No. 5 Houston just got a whole lot harder.

The No. 8 Cyclones will be without Curtis Jones and Keshon Gilbert for Saturday’s matchup at the Fertitta Center, a source familiar with the situation told the Register.

Jones is out with an illness while Gilbert is dealing with a muscle strain, according to the source.

Jones is Iowa State’s leading scorer at 17.2 points per game.

Gilbert is the Cyclones’ second-leading scorer at 14.1 points per game while leading Iowa State with 4.5 assists per game.

Iowa State is likely to lean more Saturday on starting junior guard Tamin Lipsey, who himself is playing despite a broken thumb on his right shooting hand.

The Cyclones have won four straight after suffering through a three-game losing streak. Their winning run has coincided with the return of wing Milan Momcilovic, who missed seven games with a broken hand. Iowa State was 3-4 in his absence.

Houston has won five-straight and 18 of its last 19 games. The Cougars have not lost at home in the last two seasons.

Saturday’s 1 p.m. tipoff will be broadcast by ESPN.

This story will be updated.

Iowa State columnist Travis Hines has covered the Cyclones for the Des Moines Register and Ames Tribune since 2012. Contact him at thines@amestrib.com or (515) 284-8000. Follow him on X at @TravisHines21.