Brice Williams and Juwan Gary reflect on their careers at Nebraska

For Gary, a South Carolina native, he wasn't sure how his time at Nebraska would go when he first transferred in after three seasons at Alabama. Lincoln isn't the South, where Gary grew up in. Nebraska had different people, different weather, different food. Just a different environment. It was a big change.

But after experiencing the state and the people who inhabit it, Gary quickly learned how much everyone cared about him. Not only on the court, but off it, too.

The support system at NU meant everything -- "I'm just always going to consider it home to me."

"I would say my time in Nebraska has been an amazing experience," Gary said. "I can't say nothing else about it. Like, it's been something that helped mold me into the man I am today."

Williams said he felt the same way as Gary when he decided to transfer to Nebraska from Charlotte, the program he spent three seasons at. Like Gary, Williams, who grew up in North Carolina, had only known the South. So he had his reservations, no doubt.

But like it has a way of doing, Nebraska's community took in Williams and made him feel welcome.

"In two short years, this place has kind of been singed to my heart, where I'm gonna remember this place forever," Williams said. "Remember everything it's done for me. Remember all the experiences, the fans. Running out of the smoke and them being loud and cheering. I've never been in a stadium that sells out every game, or that gets as loud as the Vault.

"And then just the people, the long-lasting relationships that I built. And then just coming into my own and growing up and kind of spreading my wings."

Hoiberg said he'll forever be grateful for Williams and Gary and what those two helped accomplish at Nebraska. The coach even mentioned that, three years ago when Gary transferred to the program, Hoiberg wouldn't have guessed Gary would turn into the leader he is.

"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."

With Williams, Hoiberg said you never truly know how a player who's jumping up a level in competition will do until you see it . After spending three seasons at mid-major Charlotte, Williams has proven he can play, and score, at the highest level of college basketball.

"He had an unbelievable season a year ago, but we needed somebody to emerge into that go-to guy," Hoiberg said. "When you need a basket, who's going to have the ball in their hands. And Brice, consistently, has made the right play."

Williams has put himself in position to be named first-team All-Big Ten. His performance at Ohio State -- 43 points, setting a new single-game scoring record at Nebraska -- certainly should solidify that, as would his Big Ten-leading 21.4 scoring average in conference games.

Hoiberg said he believes Husker fans will get to watch more of Williams in the postseason. Which postseason that is, however, is still yet to be determined.

"Just everything that he (Williams) has done for this team, getting us in the tournament a year ago," Hoiberg said. "Still a lot of things to play out. I'm confident we'll play in the some postseason. Hopefully it's the big one."