Braden Frager’s ‘swagger’ is back and that’s huge for Nebraska against Iowa in Sweet 16

Nebraska and Iowa split during the regular season. The two programs know each other so well. What could be different, and what could favor the Nebraska basketball team?

One thing is the play of Braden Frager.

The Big Ten’s Sixth Man of the Year was mostly a non-factor in both Iowa games. He scored a combined 12 points, going 4-for-8 from the field (0/4 from three).

Frager got to the bucket in both games and made some free throws. He didn’t have a huge impact, though, and if there is one thing that needs to change on Thursday night, that’s it.

Nebraska basketball often goes as Frager goes. At the very least, the Huskers are at their best when he’s at his best. The redshirt freshman from Lincoln has scored in double figures 19 times this season. The Huskers are 18-1 in those games, including 2-0 in the NCAA tournament.

Frager scored 28 points (average of 14). He was still just 3 of 13 from beyond the arc in the two wins, so his game has another gear. Confidence will help, and after hitting the game-winning bucket against Vanderbilt, Fred Hoiberg said that Frager has his “swagger” back.

“When you make a play that’s gonna be remembered forever by Nebraska fans, it can do wonders for your confidence.” Hoiberg said. “He’s got that swagger back…we need that.”

Why Braden Frager’s confidence is critical for Nebraska basketball

Nebraska is 18-1 when Frager scores 10 points or more and 9-4 when he doesn’t. One of those nine wins came against Iowa, but if fans are looking for something that might be different, it could easily be Frager, who averaged 11.7 points per game this season.

His 3-point shot has been a little off. The percentage is down to 33.8. He’s still a good shooter, though, making a vital 3-point shot in the second half against Vanderbilt. Shooting, more than any other part of the game, is about confidence.

And if Braden Frager shoots the ball with confidence, and shoots it well on Thursday night, that could easily be enough to send Nebraska basketball through to the Elite 8.

If Frager even scores 10 points, Husker fans have to feel good about the outcome because when he’s on, Nebraska has been nearly impossible to beat this season.

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