Nebraska claims victory in inaugural College Basketball Crown tournament
- Nebraska won the inaugural College Basketball Crown tournament against UCF with a score of 77-66.
- The final match drew an impressive audience of 822,000 viewers, making it the most-watched non-NCAA Tournament college basketball final this year.
- This title marks Nebraska's first postseason championship since 1996 and comes with a prize of $300,000.
In a thrilling finale, the Nebraska Cornhuskers triumphed over UCF Knights, solidifying their status as the inaugural champions of the College Basketball Crown tournament held in Las Vegas. The contest, which took place on a Sunday, featured a fierce battle where both teams were tied at halftime with a score of 35-35. However, the second half saw UCF initially surge ahead with a 14-0 run. Nebraska, showcasing resilience, maneuvered through adversity by executing a stunning 24-3 run, reclaiming and maintaining their lead through to the final whistle. Juwan Gary earned the MVP title after an exceptional performance, contributing significantly with 20 points and 8 rebounds, supporting his team’s efforts alongside Brice Williams and Connor Essegian, who both netted 21 points each. UCF's star player, Jordan Ivy-Curry, delivered a strong individual performance with 29 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome Nebraska’s onslaught. This victory was monumental for Nebraska, marking their first postseason championship since winning the NIT in 1996. Furthermore, the triumph comes with a $300,000 prize, which Nebraska received in name, image, and likeness money for their basketball program. The tournament also attracted considerable attention, as the final garnered an impressive viewing audience of 822,000, becoming the most-watched non-NCAA Tournament college basketball final of the year. This achievement indicates a growing interest in college basketball outside the conventional tournaments, with viewership increasing by 62% in comparison to the NIT championship. Coach Fred Hoiberg remarked on the significance of this victory, emphasizing the collective effort and focus displayed by the team during the week of the tournament and expressing hope that this experience would provide valuable momentum heading into the next season. The semifinals of the tournament also saw higher engagement with an average of 706,000 viewers, up 145% over the NIT's semifinals, assuring that this event made an impactful mark on the college basketball landscape.