The Nebraska men's basketball team ended the season on a high note on Sunday afternoon. The Huskers defeated the UCF Knights 77-66 to win the inaugural College Basketball Crown. Nebraska finished the season with a record of 21-14, while the Knights ended the 2024-25 campaign at 20-17.
The victory is Nebraska's first postseason championship since the Cornhuskers won the 1996 NIT. This is only the third time in school history that Nebraska has had back-to-back 20-win seasons. The win also secures $300,000 in Name Image and Likeness for the Cornhuskers. UCF will leave Las Vegas with $100,000.
Senior Juwan Gary scored 20 points and eight rebounds and was named King of the Crown (Tournament MVP). Brice Williams and Connor Essegian led Nebraska with 21 points each. Williams passed James Palmer Jr. for the single-season scoring record (713 points). Gary and Williams were also both named to the all-tournament team.
Find social media reactions to the victory below.
The kings
The rightful kings. pic.twitter.com/ZzLjkTwzSy
— Nebraska Men's Basketball (@HuskerMBB) April 6, 2025
Crown 'em
CROWN 'EM 馃憫@HuskerMBB wins the first-ever @CBBCrown Championship 馃弳 pic.twitter.com/C6fvi9aBCK
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) April 6, 2025
Final
CROWN US 馃憫 pic.twitter.com/cvuLP6pyig
— Nebraska Men's Basketball (@HuskerMBB) April 6, 2025
Crowned
NEBRASKA BASKETBALL WINS THE 2025 COLLEGE BASKETBALL CROWN. 馃憫 馃尳 pic.twitter.com/Hax5v24KhC
— Blackshirts (@blvckshirts) April 6, 2025
A Big Ten Champion
A CHAMPION HAS BEEN CROWNED 馃憫
— Big Ten Men's Basketball (@B1GMBBall) April 6, 2025
Congrats to @HuskerMBB on winning the inaugural @CBBCrown tournament 馃憦#B1GMBBallpic.twitter.com/2GK7BZa3QN
Never forget
These 2 will never be forgotten by Husker Nation. Changed the culture and we鈥檙e apart of the first back to back ...
