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Posted on 03/29/2026 4:52:56 PM PDT by nickcarraway
No. 2 seed UConn completed a historic comeback in the Elite Eight on Sunday, roaring back from 19 down to beat No. 1 overall seed Duke 73-72 on a 3-point bomb from freshman wing Braylon Mullins with 0.4 seconds remaining. His shot, which came following a Duke turnover, gave UConn its first lead since the game's opening minute.
The Huskies trailed 44-25 late in the first half before overcoming a horrendous 3-point shooting performance to reach the Final Four for a third time in the past four seasons.
UConn started just 1 of 18 from beyond the arc but bullied its way back into the game behind another strong performance from center Tarris Reed and some clutch plays from guards Silas Demary Jr. and Solomon Ball. In the final minute, a 3-pointer from Alex Karaban — his first of the day — cut UConn's deficit to 70-69.
Cam Boozer responded with a bucket to put the Blue Devils back ahead 72-69 with under 30 seconds left. The Blue Devils led 72-70 when Cayden Boozer's pass was deflected with under 10 seconds left. The ball ended up in Mullins' hands, and he splashed home a deep 3-pointer to send the Huskies on to Indianapolis to face Illinois on Saturday.
Final: UConn 73, Duke 72
No. 2 seed UConn completed a historic comeback in the Elite Eight on Sunday, roaring back from 19 down to beat No. 1 overall seed Duke 73-72 on a 3-point bomb from freshman wing Braylon Mullins with 0.4 seconds remaining. His shot, which came following a Duke turnover, gave UConn its first lead since the game's opening minute.
The Huskies trailed 44-25 late in the first half before overcoming a horrendous 3-point shooting performance to reach the Final Four for a third time in the past four seasons.
UConn started just 1 of 18 from beyond the arc but bullied its way back into the game behind another strong performance from center Tarris Reed and some clutch plays from guards Silas Demary Jr. and Solomon Ball. In the final minute, a 3-pointer from Alex Karaban — his first of the day — cut UConn's deficit to 70-69.
Cam Boozer responded with a bucket to put the Blue Devils back ahead 72-69 with under 30 seconds left. The Blue Devils led 72-70 when Cayden Boozer's pass was deflected with under 10 seconds left. The ball ended up in Mullins' hands and he splashed home a deep 3-pointer to send the Huskies on to Indianapolis to face Illinois on Saturday.
Devastation for Duke (again)
The devastating collapse for Duke came one year after the Blue Devils squandered a 14-point lead in the Final Four against Houston. Once again, Duke failed to protect a huge lead, creating a gutting end to a season filled with promise. Fourth-year coach Jon Scheyer can expect some heat for this one after getting out-coached in the second half by UConn's Dan Hurley. The program's last national title came in 2015, and this team looked well-suited to snap the drought until falling apart after leading 44-29 at halftime. No. 1 seeds were 134-0 all-time when leading by 15+ points at halftime until Sunday. UConn outscored Duke 16-0 in points off turnovers in the second half and 8-2 in second-chance points. When it comes to executing down the stretch in tense situations, something about Duke's DNA under Scheyer is just a bit off.
Braylon Mullins headed home
The hero of UConn's miraculous comeback win over Duke will be headed home to Indiana for the Final Four. Braylon Mullins is from the Indianapolis suburb of Greenfield, which is less than 30 miles from Lucas Oil Stadium. Under any circumstances, reaching the Final Four in his home state would have been special. But he'll receive a hero's welcome after splashing home one of the greatest shots in Elite Eight history. The McDonald's All-American finished with 10 points on 4 of 10 shooting and was 0 for 4 from beyond the arc until hitting a shot that will live on within UConn's rich basketball history for a long time. Those were his first points since the 16:58 mark of the second half.
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This game was decided by a mental blunder by the best player on either team, Cam Boozer.
Duke had the ball, with seconds left. They didn't even need to cross half court. They just needed to wait until UConn fouled them.
Boozer was double teamed, and before they could foul him. Boozer made a completely nonsensical pass, which was stolen, and UConn got a three with less than a second left on the clock.
Braylon Mullins, who got the final three, was 0-4 from three before that.
Boozer had another turnover just before that that lead to a three.
Any day Puke loses is a good day.
Finally, payback for what Laetner did to us.
Agreed
Hoping for an all Big-Ten Final. But go Michigan (since the Gators didn’t make it).
That was against Kentucky.
But this game was one for the ages.
Connecticut is a blue-state hell-hole, but they sure can play some college ball!
I thought Florida was still in the ACC?
Sorry, I meant SEC, not ACC.
Crazy that both Duke and North Carolina lost their games after having 19-point leads.
Yes and Pitino should feel some relief after nearly beating them two days ago. And Pitino was our coach when Laetner happened.
Kentucky and Pitino.
Duke had the ball up by two with 10 seconds left. All they had to do was wait to be fouled. Instead they turn it over… granted the kid from UConn made an incredible shot…. But if Duke played it correctly he would not have had the opportunity.
I only care because I had Duke going to the final in
My pool….
This is an all-time collapse.
dagger
Fantastic finish.
Jordan’s Furniture is two wins away from having to shell out a lot of free furniture.
(They had a deal where if the UConn men and Women’s team made it to the finals, your furniture would be free.)
Not that my opinion matters...I watched part of the michigan state-uconn game ...
It was just back and forth , run and shoot....everyone is trying to make the highlight review...
most of the defense is when someone tries to get to the hoop with acrobatic , athletic drive, and he loses the handle on the ball, or someone tries a crosscourt pass and the pass is deflected or intercepted...
The team that wins gets lucky with the 3 pointers...the winner is usually decided in the last 2 minutes...
IMHO
Did my undergrad and graduate work at UConn. Once a Husky, always a Husky. Both men’s and women’s teams in the Final Four
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