UConn beats Duke in Elite 8 on Braylon Mullins stunning 3-pointer to reach 2026 final four third time in four years
Connecticut’s dream of a third national title in four years was seconds from collapse—until freshman Braylon Mullins delivered a miracle.
Down 72–70 with the clock bleeding out and Duke in control, a desperate midcourt deflection fell into Mullins’ hands. After a quick give-and-go with Alex Karaban, the freshman launched a 35-foot prayer with 0.4 seconds left*—and buried one of the most stunning shots in NCAA Tournament history. UConn stole a 73–72 victory and a spot in the Final Four.
They advance to the Final Four for the third time in four years, looking to become the first team sinceUCLAin the 1970s to win three national championships in four years.
The Huskies had trailed by 19 in the first half* and survived a 42-point onslaught from Duke’s Boozer twins. But veteran poise and late-game grit kept them alive until Mullins—an Indiana native heading to a hometown Final Four—sealed the comeback he once fantasized about as a kid.
Karaban made one of those winning plays in the final seconds with his decision to give the ball back to a freshman instead of taking a potential game-winner himself in what could have been the last moment of his college career.
UConn now heads to Indianapolis to face No. 3 Illinois, still chasing a rare championship three-peat—something not seen in 50 years.
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