Gophers Missing Frontcourt Starter Against Washington

Minnesota will be severely shorthanded on Saturday night in Seattle.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Minnesota forward Jaylen Crocker-Johnson will miss Saturday's game against Washington due to a foot injury. Crocker-Johnson has been the Gophers' primary frontcourt player this season, averaging 13.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. Without him, Minnesota's rotation will be down to just six players, as another big man, Nehemiah Turner, has also been out with an injury.

Why it matters

Crocker-Johnson's absence is a significant blow for the Gophers, who will be facing a tough test against Washington's star freshman big man Hannes Steinbach. Minnesota opened as 7.5-point underdogs but the line has shifted to 6.5 points, suggesting the oddsmakers believe the Gophers can still be competitive despite the key injury.

The details

Crocker-Johnson has started all 24 games for Minnesota this season and leads the team in rebounds and blocks per game. There's no indication on when the injury occurred, but he had one of his worst games of the season in the Gophers' recent loss to Maryland. With Crocker-Johnson out, Grayson Grove will likely shift into the starting lineup.

  • Crocker-Johnson has averaged 13.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game this season.
  • Crocker-Johnson has started all 24 games for Minnesota this season.

The players

Jaylen Crocker-Johnson

A 6-foot-8 forward who has been Minnesota's primary frontcourt player this season, leading the team in rebounds and blocks per game.

Hannes Steinbach

Washington's star 6-foot-11 freshman big man, who is averaging 17.6 points and 11.4 rebounds per game this season.

Grayson Grove

A Minnesota player who will likely shift into the starting lineup with Crocker-Johnson out.

Nehemiah Turner

A Central Arkansas transfer big man for Minnesota who has been listed as out on the injury report for the last four games.

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What they’re saying

“Minnesota's Jaylen Crocker-Johnson (foot) is OUT for today's game against Washington, per a school official.”

— Jon Rothstein, College basketball insider (Twitter)

What’s next

The Gophers' West Coast road trip will conclude with a game at Oregon on Wednesday night. There's no indication that Crocker-Johnson's injury is a long-term issue, but it will be worth monitoring if it holds him out against the Ducks as well.

The takeaway

Crocker-Johnson's absence is a significant blow for the Gophers, who will be severely shorthanded against a tough Washington team led by star freshman big man Hannes Steinbach. Minnesota's rotation will be down to just six players, and the team will need to find a way to compete without its primary frontcourt presence.