Ava Jones’ basketball profession is sort of actually over.
Jones, the Iowa recruit who survived a automotive crash along with her household in Louisville earlier this summer time, tore all 4 ligaments in each of her knees, Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder stated Thursday, by way of The Cedar Rapids Gazette.
“All of us had a troublesome day yesterday,” Bluder stated, by way of The Gazette. “I doubt she is going to ever play basketball once more.”
Jones, her youthful brother and their two mother and father had been hit by a automotive on July 5 whereas they had been strolling in downtown Louisville, the place they had been for an AAU event. A automotive left the street and struck them on the sidewalk, killing Jones’ dad, Trey, and leaving her mother, Amy, in critical situation. Her brother sustained minor accidents.
The motive force of the automotive, a 33-year-old man, reportedly informed police that he took hydrocodone earlier than driving that evening and that he was “so drained that he couldn’t make the flip.”
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Jones was thought of “critical however steady” on the time. Now, Bluder discovered, she had torn all 4 ligaments in every of her knees.
“I can’t imagine she was strolling,” Bluder stated, by way of The Gazette. “The physician stated, ‘I’ve by no means seen an individual are available right here with 4 torn ligaments in a knee and never be crying.’”
Jones had initially decommitted from Arizona State and dedicated to the Hawkeyes days earlier than the incident. She averaged 20.8 factors and 15.4 rebounds per sport final season at Nickerson Excessive College in Kansas, and was listed as ESPN’s No. 83 recruit within the class of 2023.
Although she nonetheless has a protracted restoration forward of her, Iowa has dedicated to honoring her preliminary scholarship no matter whether or not she ever fits up for the Hawkeyes.
“She’s nonetheless someone that we’re going to have as part of our program as a result of we imagine in her,” Bluder stated, by way of The Gazette. “She dedicated to us, and simply because she had one thing dangerous occur to her doesn’t suggest that we flip our again on her. We’ll be there for her and her household as a lot as we will.”
Ava Jones and her household had been hit by a automobile in Louisville in July. The crash killed her father and left her with 4 torn ligaments in every knee (AP/Charlie Neibergall)
No. 17 Iowa State goes into its home game against Kansas State on Saturday night as one of the Big 12 teams with the highest probability of making it to the conference championship game next week.
That calculation comes from conference officials putting pencil to paper to figure out all the scenarios that could unfold on the final weekend of the regular season.
Cyclones coach Matt Campbell said his team just needs to worry about itself and not the myriad of possibilities that could determine the matchup for next week’s Big 12 title game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
“To me,” he said, “all that other stuff is wasted time, effort and energy.”
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If the Cyclones (9-2, 6-2, No. 18 CFP) beat the Wildcats (8-3, 5-3, No. 24 CFP), they probably would be in. Arizona State would be the likely opponent if the Sun Devils win at Arizona.
So much would have to align for the Wildcats to advance — starting with beating Iowa State — that coach Chris Klieman said he didn’t plan to address the possibilities with his players. He said he wouldn’t have to anyway.
“The kids know,” he said.
Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson runs the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona State Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Manhattan, Kan. Credit: AP/Charlie Riedel
Going for 10
The Cyclones are trying to become the first team in the program’s 133-year history to win 10 regular-season games. Wildcats’ tight end Will Swanson said he wasn’t aware of the 10-win milestone until a reporter told him. He indicated he and his teammates would like to keep the Cyclones from achieving it.
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“I’ll probably have to mention that,” he said, laughing.
Up and running
K-State quarterback Avery Johnson appears to be back to his old self. The staff tried to reduce his rushing attempts after he was injured Oct. 12 at Colorado. There were no limitations on him in last week’s 41-15 win over Cincinnati. He ran 10 times for 70 yards, including a 33-yard burst and a 21-yard touchdown.
“People saw when he’s healthy, we’re really good on offense,” Klieman said.
Cold, but no snow
Temperatures are expected to be in the teens in Ames, but no snow is in the forecast. Heavy snow fell during last year’s game in Manhattan, Kansas. Abu Sama III ran for 276 yards and three touchdowns and the Cyclones’ defense made a fourth-down stop in the final minute to preserve a 42-35 victory.
“I just remember the snow and Abu running wild,” ISU receiver Jayden Higgins said. “There definitely was a lot of snow on the field.”
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K-State’s Swanson said the game reminded him of a backyard football game but that it “panned out terribly.”
“Some spots there were 6 inches of snow,” he said. “I remember I caught a ball and I got tackled. I was face-first in the ground and had a pound of snow between my face and my facemask.”
Injury update
Klieman said RB Dylan Edwards could return against the Cyclones after sustaining a no-contact leg injury two weeks ago against Arizona State.
Campbell said S Drew Surges will be available and DT J.R. Singleton and TE Ben Brahmer are on track to play.
Colorado Buffaloes (5-1) vs. Iowa State Cyclones (4-1)
Lahaina, Hawaii; Wednesday, 2:30 p.m. EST
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BOTTOM LINE: Colorado and No. 5 Iowa State play at Lahaina Civic Center in Lahaina, Hawaii.
The Cyclones are 4-1 in non-conference play. Iowa State ranks fifth in the Big 12 with 41.2 points per game in the paint led by Keshon Gilbert averaging 9.2.
The Buffaloes are 5-1 in non-conference play. Colorado ranks fifth in the Big 12 shooting 39.3% from 3-point range.
Iowa State makes 49.0% of its shots from the field this season, which is 8.2 percentage points higher than Colorado has allowed to its opponents (40.8%). Colorado averages 13.9 more points per game (77.7) than Iowa State gives up (63.8).
The matchup Wednesday is the first meeting of the season for the two teams in conference play.
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TOP PERFORMERS: Gilbert is scoring 16.8 points per game with 2.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists for the Cyclones.
Elijah Malone is averaging 14.3 points for the Buffaloes.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Video: Kirk Ferentz on Iowa’s QB situation heading into Nebraska matchup
Kirk Ferentz discusses a variety of topics ahead of Iowa’s matchup with Nebraska.
Iowa football (7-4) returns home on Friday, hoping to finish its regular season strong against Big Ten Conference foe Nebraska (6-5). NBC will show the 6:30 p.m. CT contest.
The Hawkeyes are coming off an encouraging 29-13 win at Maryland. Nebraska, meanwhile, lost 28-20 at USC last time out.
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Here’s how to watch the Iowa vs. Nebraska game on Friday, including time, TV schedule and streaming information:
Watch Iowa vs Nebraska on Peacock
What channel is Iowa football vs Nebraska on Saturday?
TV channel: NBC
Streaming: Peacock
Radio: Hawkeye Radio Network
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Iowa vs. Nebraska will be broadcast nationally on NBC in Week 14 of the 2024 college football season. Streaming options include Peacock.
Iowa vs NBC football time on Friday
Date: Friday, November 29
Start time: 6:30 p.m. (CT)
The Iowa vs. Nebraska game starts at 6:30 p.m. CT from Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.
More: Leistikow’s thoughts, prediction for Iowa-Nebraska football: A senior class to celebrate
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Iowa vs Nebraska football predictions, picks, odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Tuesday, Nov. 26.
Moneyline: Iowa -210, Nebraska +170
Spread: Iowa -5.5
O/U: 39.5
Predictions
Iowa football vs Maryland preview content
More: Leistikow’s thoughts, prediction for Iowa-Nebraska football: A senior class to celebrate
More: Podcast: Where Iowa football stands heading into Black Friday finale vs. Nebraska
More: Iowa football: Kirk Ferentz confirms Jermari Harris’ status for Friday game vs. Nebraska
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Iowa football schedule 2024
Aug. 31: vs. Illinois State, (W, 40-0)
Sept. 7: vs. Iowa State, (L, 20-19)
Sept. 14: vs. Troy, (W, 38-21)
Sept. 21: at Minnesota, (W, 31-14)
Oct. 5: at Ohio State, (L, 35-7)
Oct. 12: vs. Washington, (W, 40-16)
Oct. 19: at Michigan State, (L, 32-20)
Oct. 26: vs. Northwestern, (W, 40-14)
Nov. 2: vs. Wisconsin, (W, 42-10)
Nov. 8: at UCLA, (L, 20-17)
Nov. 23: at Maryland, (W, 29-13)
Nov. 29: vs. Nebraska, 6:30 p.m., NBC
Record: 5-3
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