UConn freshman Braylon Mullins channels American grit with a 40-foot buzzer-beater, stunning Duke and delivering sweet revenge after 36 years of heartbreak.
Story Highlights
- UConn overcomes 19-point deficit for one of March Madness’ greatest comebacks, winning 73-72 on Mullins’ last-second 3-pointer.
- Revenge for 1990 Elite Eight loss to Duke’s Christian Laettner, advancing UConn to eighth Final Four, third in four years.
- Mullins steals ball, hits 35-40 foot shot with 0.4 seconds left; Tarris Reed Jr. scores 26 points in rally.
- Ends Cameron Boozer’s college career despite his 27 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists as Player of the Year frontrunner.
Epic Comeback Unfolds in Washington
Duke built a 19-point lead in the first half at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., during the 2026 NCAA Elite Eight. UConn trailed by double digits with over six minutes remaining. Tarris Reed Jr. erupted for 26 points in the final four minutes, sparking a flurry of 3-pointers that closed the gap. The Huskies’ resilience flipped the script against the top-seeded Blue Devils, showcasing underdog determination that resonates with everyday Americans tired of elite favorites always winning.
Mullins’ Heroic Final Play Seals Victory
On the final possession, freshman Braylon Mullins stole the ball from Duke, passed to Alex Karaban, then received it back. He drained a 35-to-40-foot 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left, giving UConn a 73-72 win. This shot advanced the Huskies to the Final Four for the third time in four years under coach Dan Hurley. In an era of endless foreign entanglements draining our resources, moments like this remind us of the pure, unscripted competition that unites hardworking families.
Cameron Boozer led Duke with 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists in his final college game. As a National Player of the Year frontrunner, Boozer’s effort fell short, marking a tough end to Duke’s season. UConn’s program now ties its record with an eighth Final Four appearance, building on recent dominance including back-to-back titles.
Historical Revenge Echoes Through March Madness
The victory avenges UConn’s 1990 Elite Eight loss to Duke, when Christian Laettner’s buzzer-beater under Mike Krzyzewski sent the Blue Devils to the Final Four. Thirty-six years later, Mullins reversed history in identical fashion. Experts call it one of the biggest comebacks ever, with ESPN labeling it a “remarkable 19-point rally” and NCAA.com hailing the “incredible game-winner.” This drama reinforces March Madness’ appeal amid frustrations with overreaching government and fiscal waste.
Braylon Mullins' 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left gives UConn 73-72 win over Duke and Final Four spot https://t.co/0xTwr705dG
— Star Tribune Sports (@StribSports) March 30, 2026
UConn fans in Storrs, Connecticut, celebrate the revenge, while Durham, North Carolina, mourns Boozer’s exit. The game boosts NCAA ratings and merchandise sales, uniting basketball communities. Long-term, Mullins emerges as a star, enhancing UConn recruiting and cementing 2026 as historic. Duke coach Jon Scheyer’s team laments the early exit despite early dominance.
Sources:
UConn rallies, stuns Duke on last-second 3 to reach Final Four
Braylon Mullins hits incredible game-winner to send UConn to Final Four
Elite Eight: UConn tops Duke on Mullins’ buzzer-beater, 73-72
