The No. 2 UConn Huskies advanced to the Final Four after a dramatic 73-72 victory over the No. 1 Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight on Sunday. The Huskies, trailing for nearly the entire game, staged a furious comeback capped by a game-winning 3-pointer from freshman guard Braylon Mullins with 0.3 seconds remaining.
The Comeback and Game-Winner
Duke led by as many as 19 points in the first half and maintained an 11-point advantage with 7:59 left in the second half. UConn, however, outscored the Blue Devils 22-10 in the final minutes. With 10 seconds left, Duke held a 72-70 lead but turned the ball over on an errant pass, allowing Mullins to hit the decisive shot from near halfcourt.
Final Four Matchups
UConn will face No. 3 Illinois in the Final Four, while No. 1 Michigan takes on No. 1 Arizona. Arizona is the early favorite to win the national title, followed closely by Michigan. UConn, which won back-to-back championships in 2023 and 2024, is seeking its third title in four seasons.
Key Performances
Tarris Reed Jr. led UConn with 26 points and nine rebounds, while Cameron Boozer scored 27 points for Duke. The Huskies' defense forced critical turnovers down the stretch, including the game-sealing steal.
Reactions and Implications
Duke's loss marks the second consecutive season the Blue Devils have fallen short of the Final Four, having lost to Houston in the semifinals last year. UConn's victory extends its dominance in recent NCAA Tournaments, with this being its third Final Four appearance in four seasons.
Bill Murray's Celebration
Actor Bill Murray, whose son Luke Murray is an assistant coach for UConn, was seen celebrating wildly in the stands during the game. Luke Murray will leave UConn after the season to become the head coach at Boston College.
Rick Pitino's Praise
St. John's head coach Rick Pitino, whose team lost to Duke in the Sweet 16, praised the game's intensity, calling it a prime example of why college basketball is the best sport.
Jon Scheyer's Criticism
Duke head coach Jon Scheyer faced backlash for the team's late-game collapse, with critics highlighting similar struggles in last year's Final Four loss to Houston.