Cincinnati's Shon Abaev Upgraded to Questionable for Texas Tech Matchup

The freshman wing has been sidelined with an ankle sprain but could return for a key Big 12 game.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Cincinnati basketball wing Shon Abaev has been upgraded from doubtful to questionable on the latest injury report ahead of the Bearcats' matchup against No. 16 Texas Tech. The 6-9 freshman has been sidelined with an ankle sprain but could try to suit up for the must-win game as Cincinnati looks to bolster its NCAA Tournament hopes.

Why it matters

Abaev's potential return would be a big boost for the Bearcats, who are trying to win their fifth straight game and improve their standing for the NCAA Tournament. The freshman has averaged 8 points and 3 rebounds per game this season, providing a valuable presence in the frontcourt.

The details

Abaev has been out with an ankle sprain, but the team is hopeful he can return for the Texas Tech game after a good pregame warmup. Cincinnati is coming off an 84-68 win over Kansas in which they dominated the boards 40-29, an area that has been a focus for the team during their bye week.

  • Abaev has been upgraded from doubtful to questionable on the latest Big 12 injury report.
  • The Bearcats face No. 16 Texas Tech on February 24, 2026 at 7 p.m. ET.

The players

Shon Abaev

A 6-9 freshman wing for the Cincinnati Bearcats who has been sidelined with an ankle sprain.

Wes Miller

The head coach of the Cincinnati Bearcats basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“Today we were really worried about the rebounding. We haven't been at our best in our last couple of games on the backboards. So we had a bye week this week, which was much needed. Rebounding was a huge emphasis. It's that point in the year, I think the best way to work on rebounding is to play live basketball. And rebounding is will and fight in pursuit of the ball more than it's any technique,”

— Wes Miller, Head Coach, Cincinnati Bearcats (SI.com)

What’s next

A good pregame warmup will determine if Abaev is able to suit up and play against Texas Tech.

The takeaway

Abaev's potential return would be a timely boost for the Bearcats as they look to solidify their NCAA Tournament standing. The team has emphasized rebounding during their bye week, an area where Abaev's size and presence could make a difference against a tough Texas Tech squad.