As if Nebraska's game against Michigan wasn't already going to be tough, the Huskers could be without not just Braden Frager on Tuesday night, but also Rienk Mast.
It's felt like a very small chance that Frager would play against the Wolverines after he injured his ankle less than a week ago against Washington. However, head coach Fred Hoiberg had gotten some fans excited by calling the forward a "game time decision." Mast, on the other hand, was expected to be 100% for the game.
Braden Frager (ankle) is OUT and Rienk Mast (illness) is QUESTIONABLE for Nebraska’s game at Michigan tonight. pic.twitter.com/T9vBMXPhvi
— Robin Washut (@RobinWashut) January 27, 2026
Nebraska basketball could be without Braden Frager, Rienk Mast vs the Wolverines
However, when Nebraska released its availability report, Mast was officially listed as "questionable" with an illness. The good news is that the questionable could turn to "ready to go" in the next three hours. The bad news is that listing him on the injury report could never be seen as a good thing.
Mast makes a return this season after missing all of 2024-2025 with a knee injury. For the most part, he's been plenty healthy but in the last few games he's gotten less minutes, to some degree because Nebraska keeps posting double-digit victories.
Meanwhile, Michigan comes in relatively injury free with only Winters Grady listed at all. The true freshman has only appeared in 9 games this season and he's only averaged 5.6 minutes per game.
It's safe to say the absence of Braden Frager and the potential absence of Rienk Mast is a big deal for a Nebraska team that already entered as heavy underdogs, despite boasting a 20-0 record. Should they want to topple the Wolverines, they'll need some Herculean efforts from the rest of their stars.