3 takeaways from Nebraska basketball’s Crown Championship

In a season filled with ups and downs, the championship game of the College Basketball Crown was no different for Nebraska basketball.

After building a 12-point lead in the first half, Nebraska basketball found itself trailing by 14 points in the second half to UCF. It felt like the magic was about to run out in Las Vegas.

But Juwan Gary, fresh off a hit to the head, sparked a comeback. Connor Essegian caught fire, hitting three 3-pointers in the second half, while the defense dominated, allowing just 17 points in the final 15 minutes as the Huskers secured their first postseason championship since 1996 with a 77-66 win.

Brice Williams had another 20-point game (21) and passed James Palmer to become Nebraska’s single-season all-time scoring leader. Williams has the single-game and single-season scoring records.

On Sunday, though, Nebraska basketball wouldn’t be wearing the Crown without Juwan Gary. His 21 points were essential. Essegian scored 21 off the bench, giving the Huskers 23 total bench points.

Nebraska made at least nine 3-pointers for the third straight game. The Huskers limited UCF to 40 percent from the field. Darius Johnson, who was averaging 33 in the Crown and scored 42 against Villanova, made just one field goal and was held to points (thank you, Sam Hoiberg).

The Huskers won their fourth straight game in the College Basketball Crown by at least eight points, and here are three takeaways from their first postseason tournament title in 29 years.

Fred Hoiberg is the new-age Danny Nee

It’s insane that some Nebraska basketball fans are dissatisfied with Fred Hoiberg. He’s resided over consecutive 20-wins seasons and one of the best three-year stretches in Nebraska history.

Hoiberg is one of just three coaches in program history to have three consecutive non-losing seasons. He’s also one of two head coaches to have back-to-back 20-win seasons.

Nee led Nebraska to five of its eight NCAA tournament berths. But if Hoiberg sticks around and is supported, he’ll become the second head coach to reach the NCAA tournament multiple times

I also think he’ll lead the Huskers to their first-ever March Madness win. Fans need to be patient and appreciate how lucky the Huskers are to have Fred Hoiberg.

This week was a reminder of that.

Brice Williams is a Nebraska basketball great

If there were a Mt. Rushmore of Nebraska basketball players, Brice Williams would probably be on it. He only played two seasons for Nebraska but had a historic season, helped Nebraska reach the NCAA tournament, win 20 games twice, and won a postseason tournament.

It was fair to wonder after last season if the Huskers could replace Keisei Tominaga or find another scorer like that. Williams was even better and he’s got a good shot to get drafted.

Williams was also essential in Nebraska playing in this tournament. Kudos to him and Juwan Gary. It was a special run for those two. They ended their careers on a high note and combined to average 42 points per game in the College Basketball Crown.

The Crown championship is meaningful

I’ve heard people say this was the third-best postseason tournament, and other similar comments to that all week, but Nebraska had to beat four top-100 teams (via Kenpom) to win the Crown.

They also had to beat three teams with at least 18 wins, two teams with at least 20, and a Boise State team that won 26 and made the NCAA tournament the past three seasons.

Going one-and-done in the Crown would have been embarrassing, but there’s nothing wrong with celebrating a championship. Nebraska basketball hasn’t won many of those.

Winning is habit-forming. This could be a springboard to a bright future and it was also a great way to send out a great group of seniors.

GO BIG RED!

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