Mar 29, 2026 — Indianapolis-bound UConn completed one of the tournament’s most dramatic comebacks, edging Duke 73-72 in Sunday’s Elite Eight to punch its ticket to the Final Four alongside Arizona, Illinois and Michigan.
The finish: Freshman Braylon Mullins chased down a loose ball and drained a 35-foot 3-pointer to cap a 19-point comeback and lift UConn past the Blue Devils. UConn trailed by double digits for much of the game before a late barrage of threes and stingy second-half defense flipped the script. Senior Tarris Reed Jr. paced the Huskies with 26 points, while Duke star Cameron Boozer — a leading national player of the year candidate — finished with 27 points, eight rebounds and four assists in what proved to be his final college game.
How UConn flipped the game
– Defense rose in the second half: UConn limited Duke’s offensive efficiency and matched the Blue Devils inside, neutralizing much of Duke’s first-half momentum. UConn also converted opponent mistakes into points, turning 13 Duke turnovers into 20 points.
– Improved shot-making: After starting 1-of-18 from long range, UConn hit four of its final five threes, including clutch makes from Silas Demary Jr. and Alex Karaban to set up Mullins’ heroics. UConn shot 53% in the second half and committed just one turnover in the game’s final 20 minutes.
– Composure and physicality: The Huskies applied more pressure in the paint and on the perimeter in the second half, crowding Cameron Boozer and forcing Duke into hurried, ill-advised passes that led to key turnovers late.
Analyst takeaways
– Myron Medcalf: The turning point was UConn’s defensive tightening and Mullins’ game-winner. UConn minimized its own mistakes while forcing Duke into them; the late steal and 35-footer will be the play people remember.
– Jeff Borzello: The comeback combined defense, physicality and clutch shooting. Duke’s early control waned as UConn found rhythm from deep late, and the decisive turnover over a trap created the final chance that Mullins took advantage of.
Most unforgettable moments
– Mullins’ 35-foot buzzer-beater will be replayed as a signature NCAA tournament moment.
– Alex Karaban’s late corner 3 — after a difficult shooting night — and Silas Demary Jr.’s pair of corner triples provided the momentum swing that made the final sequence possible.
Key numbers
– Final score: UConn 73, Duke 72.
– UConn erased a 19-point deficit, tying for the third-largest comeback in Elite Eight-or-later history.
– UConn started 1-of-18 from 3-point range, then hit four of its last five attempts from deep, including the game-winner.
– Mullins was 0-for-4 from long range before his buzzer-beater.
– Duke had led by as many as 19; UConn’s in-game win probability fell to as low as 1.3% with 1:33 remaining in the first half (Duke 44-25).
– UConn led for a total of 51.4 seconds across the entire game (2-0 for 51 seconds and 73-72 for 0.4 seconds).
– At halftime, Cameron and Cayden Boozer combined for 27 points; UConn had 29 as a team.
Also from the Elite Eight
Michigan 95, Tennessee 62
Michigan dominated early and never relented, using a 21-0 run and balanced scoring to blow past Tennessee. Big Ten Player of the Year Yaxel Lendeborg led Michigan with 27 points, seven rebounds and four assists, while Elliot Cadeau dished a game-high 10 assists. The Wolverines advance to Indianapolis and will meet Arizona in the Final Four.
What it means
UConn’s comeback ranks among the tournament’s all-time finishes — a blend of late-game poise, defensive adjustments and improbable shooting from distance. The Huskies move on to the Final Four carrying momentum and a signature win that will be replayed for years. Duke, despite a season that produced only three losses, walked away having surrendered a double-digit lead in its latest and most painful defeat.
