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Nebraska

Braden Frager injury update: Fred Hoiberg reveals status of Nebraska forward vs. Michigan

Chandler Vesselsby: Chandler Vessels01/27/26ChandlerVessels

Nebraska coach Fred Hoiberg offered an update on the injury status of freshman wing Braden Frager ahead of an upcoming road matchup against No. 3 Michigan on Tuesday. Frager suffered an ankle sprain on Wednesday against Washington that caused him to miss Saturday’s game against Minnesota.

Now he is in danger of missing a second straight game, as Hoiberg described his status against the Wolverines against being a “game-time decision.” The Cornhuskers coach added that Frager has been able to get some work in ahead of the game.

“Braden’s making great progress,” he said. “He got a really good workout in yesterday. Did some things again today. So we’ll have him as a game-time decision for tomorrow.”

Hoiberg added that the team planned to depart for Ann Arbor on Monday evening. However, when asked to confirm that Frager would make the trip, he didn’t have a clear answer.

“We’re still making that decision with him right now,” he said. “We’ll talk with the doctors before. We don’t leave for a couple of hours. So we’ll make that decision.”

If Frager is unable to go, the Cornhuskers would likely lean more on Jared Garcia and Cale Jacobsen in Tuesday’s meeting with Michigan. Jacobsen played 25 minutes in the win against Minnesota and finished with seven points, three rebounds and two assists. Garcia saw 11 minutes in the game against Washington where Frager went down, finishing with five points and five rebounds.

The game against the Golden Gophers on Saturday was the first that Frager has missed all season. He has been an impact player off the bench for Nebraska as a true freshman, averaging 12.2 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. He is also shooting 37.3% from 3-point range.

The Cornhuskers are one of three undefeated teams remaining this college basketball season, along with Arizona and Miami (OH). They currently have a 20-0 (9-0 Big Ten) record. However, they’ll run into arguably their biggest test yet against the Wolverines, who are ranked two spots ahead of them in the AP Poll and have only one loss.

That in mind, Nebraska will hope that Frager can be good to go as they look to defend their unbeaten record on the road. Tip off for the contest is set for 6 p.m. CT at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor and will be televised on Peacock.