Iowa State guard Keshon Gilbert will miss this year's NCAA Tournament due to a groin injury, a team spokesman confirmed to ESPN's Pete Thamel.

Gilbert has missed four of the past seven games because of the injury. The senior has been a key part of the Cyclones' success this season, leading the team in both minutes (31.6 per contest) and assists (4.1).

Gilbert ranks second on the squad in scoring (13.4) and third in steals (1.7). He was shooting a career-high 48.4% from the field.

Gilbert was an All-Big 12 third-team selection and one of 25 players on the midseason Wooden Award watch list.

"We decided that he needs to focus on his rehab and getting his body back right," head coach T.J Otzelberger told reporters Sunday.

Iowa State earned a 3-seed in the NCAA Tournament and will take on No. 14 Lipscomb in its first-round matchup.

The Cyclones reached the Sweet 16 last season.