March Madness is where stars are born, but for some, it may mark the end of the era before they get “one sparkling moment.”
Third seed Iowa does not have second-leading scorer Köchon Gilbert after reorganizing a gro caliber injury in Cyclone's Big 12 tournament victory on Wednesday.
Gilbert was battling injuries for weeks, but missed four games, dating back to Iowa's then-defeated February 22nd loss.
He has been in and out of the Cyclone lineup since that game.
He played 11 minutes with Cincinnati, and those will be his final season-four-year career.
“We decided he needed to focus on his rehabilitation and get his body back right.” Cyclone head coach TJ Otzelberger said. “He's not available as we move forward.”
Gilbert was initially dominated daily after finishing the conference tournament.
“That's everyday.” He said after finishing the final match. “But for the day, that's how we go about it and we're just trying to do the best for me and my health.”
Otzelberger's comments didn't even mention the possibility that Gilbert might return to running the Deep NCAA Tournament, so it's clear that the injury has become more than that.
Gilbert transferred to Iowa and played his first two years at UNLV before being a two-time All-Big 12 winner.
The 6-foot-4 guard averaged 31.4 per contest in the Cyclone this season.
Only behind Team High's Curtis Jones' 17.1, 13.4 points per game. Gilbert also averaged 4.1 assists, 3.5 rebounds and nearly two steals per game.
Iowa will take on the No. 14 seedlipscom in Milwaukee on Friday in the opening round of the South Region.
