Key Takeaways
- • Iowa State point guard Tamin Lipsey remains on schedule to return for the Nov. 3 season-opener against FDU after suffering a Grade 2 MCL sprain to his right knee on Sept. 23, with coach T.J. Otzelberger confirming "everything points to him being back on opening night."
- • The initial 4-to-6 week recovery timetable aligns precisely with the season start date; Lipsey has progressed to jogging on a treadmill and recently removed his protective brace, indicating continued healing trajectory.
- • Lipsey will miss Sunday's exhibition game against Northwestern (Oct. 26) but is expected to be available for Iowa State's season schedule, which includes matchups against FDU (Nov. 3), Grambling State (Nov. 6), and Mississippi State in a neutral-site game (Nov. 10).
- • Freshman Killyan Toure started at point guard during the Oct. 17 exhibition loss to Creighton (71-58), serving as interim coverage during Lipsey's absence.
Summary
Iowa State basketball point guard Tamin Lipsey is tracking toward availability for the Cyclones' Nov. 3 season-opener against FDU, according to statements from the player and head coach T.J. Otzelberger on Oct. 22 at Big 12 media day in Kansas City. Lipsey sustained a Grade 2 MCL sprain to his right knee during practice on Sept. 23 and received an initial recovery window of 4-to-6 weeks, which positions his return directly at the start of the regular season.
"We're on pace," Lipsey said at the media event, while Otzelberger affirmed the trajectory: "Everything has been on track to what we'd hope. Everything points to him being back on opening night." The player's rehabilitation has progressed noticeably—he recently discontinued wearing a protective brace and has begun treadmill jogging, both markers of advancing recovery from the moderate knee injury.
Lipsey will not participate in Iowa State's second exhibition matchup against Northwestern on Oct. 26 at noon, maintaining conservative management of his return. During his absence, freshman Killyan Toure has started at point guard, including in Iowa State's Oct. 17 exhibition loss to Creighton (71-58) in Omaha. The Cyclones face a compressed early schedule with games against FDU (Nov. 3), Grambling State (Nov. 6), and a neutral-site contest against Mississippi State in Sioux Falls on Nov. 10.
"We're on pace," Lipsey said at the media event, while Otzelberger affirmed the trajectory: "Everything has been on track to what we'd hope. Everything points to him being back on opening night." The player's rehabilitation has progressed noticeably—he recently discontinued wearing a protective brace and has begun treadmill jogging, both markers of advancing recovery from the moderate knee injury.
Lipsey will not participate in Iowa State's second exhibition matchup against Northwestern on Oct. 26 at noon, maintaining conservative management of his return. During his absence, freshman Killyan Toure has started at point guard, including in Iowa State's Oct. 17 exhibition loss to Creighton (71-58) in Omaha. The Cyclones face a compressed early schedule with games against FDU (Nov. 3), Grambling State (Nov. 6), and a neutral-site contest against Mississippi State in Sioux Falls on Nov. 10.
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