CHICAGO — Ahead of No. 2 seed Iowa State’s Sweet 16 matchup with No. 6 seed Tennessee, head coach T.J. Otzelberger met with the media and emphasized two things: denying rumors of him leaving for another coaching job and the health of senior forward Joshua Jefferson.

Jefferson injured his left ankle in the Cyclones’ opening-round matchup against No. 15 seed Tennessee State. After missing most of that game and the entire second-round contest, his status remained uncertain.

“His ankle’s getting better every day,” Otzelberger said. “It’s going to take right up to gameday.”

Otzelberger also addressed the rumors regarding other coaching jobs.

“I’d just like to start by saying, any speculation with me and any other jobs or opportunities is not true,” Otzelberger said to open his news conference. “I’m the coach of the Cyclones. Thrilled to be the coach of the Cyclones.”

Iowa State will be looking to advance to its first Elite Eight since 2000. Otzelberger has now led the Cyclones to the Sweet 16 three times.

The opponent standing in Iowa State’s way is Tennessee.

Iowa State is playing some of its best basketball of the tournament, finishing its game against Kentucky by outscoring the Wildcats 51-33 in the second half.

Shots did not fall in the first half, and Otzelberger’s halftime message, relayed by junior Milan Momcilovic, was simple: “We couldn’t have played worse offensively.” Yet the Cyclones still led by one at the break.

The Volunteers earned their spot in the second weekend by defeating No. 11 seed Miami (Ohio) 78-56, and No. 3 seed Virginia 79-72.