In a thrilling showdown that will be etched in NCAA Tournament history, No. 2 UConn pulled off an incredible comeback against No.
1 Duke, securing their spot in the Final Four. Down by 19 points, the Huskies clawed their way back, sealing the victory with a jaw-dropping shot in the final second.
With just 10 seconds left, UConn's Silas Demary Jr. nailed a crucial free throw, setting the stage for a tense finish. Duke, trying to navigate UConn's relentless full-court trap, managed to get the ball to Cayden Boozer. Under pressure, Boozer's pass was tipped, and the Huskies seized the opportunity.
Alex Karraban, showing nerves of steel, dribbled past half-court and handed it to Braylon Mullins. From just beyond the half-court logo, Mullins launched a shot that beat the buzzer by 0.3 seconds, leaving Duke with no time to respond. This stunning play sent UConn into the Final Four and marked one of the most remarkable comebacks in tournament lore.
The morning after the epic game, UConn's head coach, Dan Hurley, shared his thoughts on ESPN's "Get Up." He detailed his strategy during those tense final moments, emphasizing the importance of executing a solid trap on Duke's inbound pass. Hurley revealed that the plan was to foul Elhadji Sarr, a 60% free-throw shooter, if he got the ball, hoping for a miss.
Hurley also considered fouling Patrick Ngongba, another player with less-than-stellar free-throw stats. Despite feeling that the defense was slightly out of sync, the Huskies capitalized on a tipped pass, which Hurley described as a "winning play."
Karraban's composure was key, as he set up Mullins, whom Hurley affectionately dubbed the "bringer of rain." Mullins, an Indiana native, fittingly carried the team back to his home state for the Final Four.
In the interview, Hurley candidly discussed the defensive struggles but made sure to commend his team for their clutch performance when it mattered most. The Huskies' resilience and determination were on full display, making this a game to remember in March Madness history.