CHICAGO (Interstat) — A spot in the Elite Eight will be on the line Friday when the high-powered Iowa State Cyclones face the battle-tested Tennessee Volunteers in a men’s NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional semifinal at the United Center.

The fourth-seeded Volunteers (24-10) arrive after grinding out a 79-72 road victory at Virginia last Sunday. They will face their toughest test yet in the top-seeded Cyclones (29-7), who are favored by 3.5 points and enter riding the momentum of an emphatic 82-63 dismantling of Kentucky.

The matchup features two of the nation’s premier guards in Tennessee’s Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Iowa State’s Tamin Lipsey. Gillespie has been on a tear, averaging 22.6 points over his last seven games, including a 29-point, 9-assist performance in the first-round win over Miami (Ohio). His playmaking will be crucial against Iowa State’s formidable defense.

Lipsey, however, is coming off a masterpiece. The Cyclones’ floor general posted 26 points and 10 assists in the win over Kentucky, demonstrating his ability to dominate a game. His backcourt duel with Gillespie will be a central storyline.

Tennessee has shown resilience, navigating a challenging Southeastern Conference schedule, but has been inconsistent at times, with recent losses to Vanderbilt and Alabama. Their path has required grit, winning several close contests.

Iowa State presents a more balanced and efficient attack. Alongside Lipsey, forward Milan Momcilovic provides a major scoring threat, dropping 20 points against Kentucky. The Cyclones’ offense hummed in blowout wins over Tennessee State and Arizona State earlier in the tournament, and their defense has held opponents to an average of 60.3 points in three postseason games.

The venue adds another layer, as the United Center is expected to be heavily populated with Cyclone fans making the relatively short trip from Ames.

The over/under is set at 138.5, suggesting a tight, defensive struggle. Tennessee will need another stellar outing from Gillespie and support from players like Bishop Boswell and Nate Ament to spring the upset. Iowa State will rely on Lipsey’s command and a deep, cohesive roster to advance and validate its seed.

Tip-off is scheduled for approximately 7:09 p.m. EDT Friday, with the winner advancing to Sunday’s regional final.