Mar 29, 2026, 09:00 PM ET
UConn will join Arizona, Illinois and Michigan in Indianapolis after the Huskies punched their ticket to the Final Four in dramatic fashion. ESPN analysts Jeff Borzello and Myron Medcalf break down the instant NCAA tournament classic.
UConn 73, Duke 72
How UConn won: Thirty-six years after Christian Laettner’s buzzer-beater sent Duke to the Final Four at UConn’s expense, the Huskies got their revenge. Freshman Braylon Mullins stole the ball and buried a 35-foot 3-pointer to cap a 19-point comeback. UConn trailed by double digits before rallying; Tarris Reed Jr.’s 26 points kept them close, and a flurry of 3s in the final four minutes pushed them over the top. National Player of the Year front-runner Cameron Boozer finished with 27 points, eight rebounds and four assists in his final college game. — Jeff Borzello
Breaking down UConn’s comeback
What happened to Duke?!
Medcalf: UConn happened. The Huskies defended far better in the second half; Duke’s offensive efficiency dropped to about two-thirds of its first-half level. UConn matched Duke in the paint (36-34) and turned 13 Duke turnovers into 20 points. The final minutes exposed Duke’s dependence on Cameron Boozer; Cayden Boozer’s late turnover set up Mullins’ winner, and Cam couldn’t bail them out this time.
Borzello: The second half was more UConn comeback than Duke collapse, but Duke contributed. In the first half Duke ran its offense through Cameron Boozer in the post and got timely 3s from Cayden and Dame Sarr. UConn crowded Boozer more in the second half and applied more physicality, and Duke lost composure and control—most notably the ill-advised pass over a trap that led to the decisive turnover.
What was the biggest factor in UConn’s comeback?
Medcalf: Mullins’ go-ahead 3 was the decisive moment. UConn shot 53% in the second half and committed only one turnover in the final 20 minutes (four in the first half). To erase a 19-point deficit you can’t be careless, and UConn limited mistakes while forcing Duke into them.
Borzello: UConn simply started hitting shots. The Huskies were 1-of-18 from 3 early, then made four of their final five attempts from deep, including the winner. Silas Demary Jr.’s back-to-back corner 3s and Alex Karaban’s huge late 3 (he’d missed five earlier) helped set the stage for Mullins’ legendary shot. Defense, physicality and late clutch shooting combined to complete the comeback.
Most memorable moment
Medcalf: Mullins’ shot will be the enduring image — a signature “One Shining Moment” clip — but Karaban’s late 3 to cut the lead to one is also unforgettable given how poorly he’d shot all night.
Borzello: Mullins’ 35-footer to complete a 19-point comeback against the overall No. 1 seed ranks among the greatest NCAA tournament shots. That it came from an Indiana native to send UConn to Indianapolis makes it even more special.
UConn-Duke by the numbers (ESPN Research)
– Until Sunday, No. 1 seeds were 134-0 when leading by 15+ at halftime; Duke had been 27-0 in that situation.
– UConn’s 19-point comeback is tied for the third-largest in Elite Eight-or-later NCAA tournament history.
– UConn was 1-of-18 from 3 to start, then made four of its last five 3s, including the winner.
– Mullins was 0-for-4 from 3 before his game-winner.
– Duke led by as many as 19 points; the only other team in this tournament to lose a 19-point lead was North Carolina (to VCU).
– At halftime, Cameron and Cayden Boozer combined for 27 points; UConn had 29 as a team.
– This was Duke’s third loss of the season; in each defeat they held a double-digit lead at one point.
– UConn’s in-game win probability dropped as low as 1.3% with 1:33 left in the first half (Duke up 44-25).
– UConn led this game for a total of 51.4 seconds (2-0 for 51 seconds, 73-72 for 0.4 seconds).
Also from the Elite Eight
Michigan 95, Tennessee 62
How Michigan won: The Wolverines delivered a dominant first half and never looked back, using a 21-0 run and balanced offense to overwhelm Tennessee. Big Ten Player of the Year Yaxel Lendeborg led the way with 27 points, seven rebounds and four assists; Elliot Cadeau had a game-high 10 assists. Michigan matched Tennessee’s tempo and used depth and passing to cruise to Indianapolis, where they’ll face Arizona in the Final Four. — Adam Rittenberg
