DES MOINES, Iowa — Most Iowa fans will spend Wednesday morning debating the ins and outs of the team’s first NCAA tournament game in eight years.

Hawkeyes coach Fran McCaffery will be in an Iowa City hospital with his son.

The highlight of McCaffery’s professional career at Iowa has coincided with a serious family health issue. McCaffery’s 13-year-old son, Patrick, will have surgery to remove a thyroid tumor just hours before Iowa (20-12) and fellow No. 11 seed Tennessee (21-12) tip off in a First Four game in Dayton, Ohio.

McCaffery said Sunday that he planned to fly to Dayton with his team, return to Iowa City for Patrick’s surgery and go back to Ohio in time to coach against the Volunteers.