Juwan Gary embraces rival Iowa players after fouling out in regular-season finale

On rare occasions, rivalries can be set aside. After Nebraska fifth-year senior Juwan Gary fouled out against Iowa on Saturday, he embraced teammates and opponents alike before leaving the court to a standing ovation.

With their 83-68 loss to the Hawkeyes, the Cornhuskers didn’t qualify for the Big Ten Tournament. Although they could still qualify for a postseason tournament such as the College Basketball Crown, Nebraska won’t play in the NCAA Tournament this spring.

It’s a painful reality for Nebraska’s seniors, who were hoping to return to the Big Dance after falling in the first round last season. Before fouling out against Iowa, Gary recorded a team-high 24 points and seven rebounds.

Emotional moment here:

Juwan Gary gets hugs all around, including from @IowaHoops players, as he checks out on senior day 🥹#B1GMBBall x @HuskerHoops pic.twitter.com/XiUYTOIu9U

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) March 9, 2025

Gary was Nebraska’s second-leading scorer this season, averaging a career-high 13.7 points per game. Before the game, Gary opened up on his love for the program.

“As time moves on you realize like how much people care for you just outside of the sport itself,” Gary said. “Of course people love you because you’re a basketball player, you play for the Cornhuskers. But people took the time to actually get to know us. To get to know who we actually are .

“I would say my time at Nebraska, it’s been an amazing experience. I can’t say nothing else about it. It’s something that has helped mold me into the man I am today.”

Gary began his collegiate career at Alabama, where he spent two seasons. Shortly after transferring to Nebraska, Gary became a fan favorite. Cornhuskers head coach Fred Hoiberg doesn’t expect that to change even after Gary moves on from the program.

“The kid plays with so much heart and effort,” Hoiberg said of Gary. “And I know he’s going to go down as a lot of people’s favorite, or up there with one of their favorites that’s ever worn the uniform.”

At 24 years old, Juwan Gary isn’t necessarily a highly-touted NBA prospect. Nonetheless, after a successful season, the 6-foot-6 small forward could play professionally somewhere. Hoiberg just wishes his team didn’t have to worry about their future quite yet.

“The one-possession losses; some of the things that we had to fight through… Sometimes, in this business, it’s make or miss. We had so many shots – I felt – that went in and out or shots around the rim that we just didn’t convert,” Hoiberg said. “It’s a crusher. It kills me to know that we’re not going to be able to go to Indy and extend this thing from that standpoint.”