UConn stuns Duke with last-second 3-pointer: All-time March Madness comeback sends Huskies to Final Four

The devastating collapse for Duke came one year after the Blue Devils squandered a 14-point lead in the Final Four against Houston. Once again, Duke failed to protect a huge lead, creating a gut-wrenching end to a season filled with promise. Fourth-year coach Jon Scheyer can expect some heat for this one after getting out-coached in the second half by UConn's Dan Hurley. The program's last national title came in 2015, and this team looked well-suited to snap the drought until falling apart after leading 44-29 at halftime. No. 1 seeds were 134-0 all-time when leading by 15+ points at halftime ... until Sunday. UConn outscored Duke 16-0 in points off turnovers in the second half and 8-2 in second-chance points. When it comes to executing down the stretch in tense situations, something about Duke's DNA under Scheyer is just a bit off.

UConn center Tarris wasn't even on the floor during the frenetic sequence that led up to Mullins' game-winning shot, but the Huskies' center played a starring role in the comeback as he continued building on an elite NCAA Tournament run. The senior Michigan transfer led the Huskies with 26 points on 10-of-16 shooting and finished one rebound shy of a double-double while also adding four blocks, three assists and two steals. It was another great act in an NCAA Tournament run that also includes a 20-point showing in UConn's Sweet 16 win over Michigan State, in addition to a historic 31-point, 27-rebound performance in a first-round win over Furman. Reed also threw in a double-double in UConn's second-round victory over UCLA. Duke had no answer for Reed inside.

The hero of UConn's miraculous comeback win over Duke will be headed home to Indiana for the Final Four. Braylon Mullins is from the Indianapolis suburb of Greenfield, which is less than 30 miles from Lucas Oil Stadium. Under any circumstances, reaching the Final Four in his home state would have been special. But he'll receive a hero's welcome after splashing home one of the greatest shots in Elite Eight history. The McDonald's All-American finished with 10 points on 4-of-10 shooting and was 0 for 4 from beyond the arc until hitting a shot that will live on within UConn's rich basketball history for a long time. Those were his first points since the 16:58 mark of the second half. 

Final: UConn 73, Duke 72

No. 2 seed UConn completed a historic comeback in the Elite Eight on Sunday, roaring back from 19 down to beat No. 1 overall seed Duke 73-72 on a 3-point bomb from freshman wing Braylon Mullins with 0.4 seconds remaining. His shot, which came following a Duke turnover, gave UConn its first lead since the game's opening minute.

The Huskies trailed 44-25 late in the first half before overcoming a horrendous 3-point shooting performance to reach the Final Four for a third time in the past four seasons.

UConn started just 1 of 18 from beyond the arc but bullied its way back into the game behind another strong performance from center Tarris Reed and some clutch plays from guards Silas Demary Jr. and Solomon Ball. In the final minute, a 3-pointer from Alex Karaban — his first of the day — cut UConn's deficit to 70-69.

Cam Boozer responded with a bucket to put the Blue Devils back ahead 72-69 with under 30 seconds left. The Blue Devils led 72-70 when Cayden Boozer's pass was deflected with under 10 seconds left. The ball ended up in Mullins' hands and he splashed home a deep 3-pointer to send the Huskies on to Indianapolis to face Illinois on Saturday.

AN ALL-TIMER!!! BRAYLON MULLINS!

Alex Karaban finally makes a 3-pointer off a Cameron Boozer turnover to cut it to one, but Boozer comes right back and makes a short shot off the spin move. Dan Hurley has called for time.

Did you expect anything less from these two powerhouse programs? What a game.

Where is Jon Scheyer going to go for a bucket here? Duke has one made field goal over the last five minutes.

Solo Ball with the steal and the score through a foul from Cameron Boozer. It's 67-64, and the junior guard got up, flexed and screamed "COME ON!"

Duke hasn't made a field goal in nearly two minutes, and fouls and turnovers are cropping up, too. Feels like a big moment for Boozer to re-establish things on the offensive end. Duke was once up 19!

Some big-time shot-making in this last sequence with Silas Demary Jr. sandwiching a pair of corner 3s around a Nik Khamenia 3. Can UConn string together enough stops?

UConn has gotten it down to seven multiple times, but each time, Duke has had an answer: first a really tough left-handed layup by Cameron Boozer, and then a short jumper by Nik Khamenia. UConn is now a brutal 1 for 18 from 3, and a ton of them have been open looks. Tarris Reed Jr. is trying his best, but he desperately needs help.

Duke's lead is down to seven after another Tarris Reed Jr. dunk. He is up to 23 points, with 11 coming in the first nine minutes of the second half. Just absolutely relentless down low. Jon Scheyer took a timeout and can't be happy with how his bigs have defended Reed or the whistle they're getting; Duke already has seven fouls.

Duke 56, UConn 49 with 10:59 to go.

The Huskies are trying to make a charge, but ice-cold 3-point shooting is getting in the way. Down 50-38, Alex Karaban and Silas Demary Jr. both missed great looks. UConn is 1 for 15 from deep so far.

The foul disparity in favor of Duke the first half is swinging the other way in the second half: The Blue Devils have already been whistled for six fouls.

UConn is trying to make a charge, but ice-cold 3-point shooting is getting in the way. Down 50-38, both Alex Karaban and Silas Demary Jr. got great looks; both missed.

The foul disparity of the second half has begun to swing the other direction; Duke has been called for six fouls already.

It is such a difference maker for Duke when Dame Sarr is hitting 3s. He helped set the tone for the Blue Devils with a couple of early triples. The Italian wing is known for being a defensive stopper, but it takes Duke's offense to new heights when he's also dialed in from the perimeter. 

This is as good as Duke has looked at any point this tournament. The offense is getting whatever look it wants. The defense is flying around. UConn is 1 for 11 from 3, and Alex Karaban hasn't scored.

On offense, it's the Boozer twins leading the way: Cameron has 14 points, five rebounds and three assists, and Cayden has 13 points on perfect 4-of-4 shooting. Duke is shooting 52% from the floor and 45% from 3.

UConn has to figure out a better plan for defending Cameron Boozer. The national player of the year is dominating this game. When he's single-covered, he's getting right to the basket. When he's doubled, he's making the right pass over and over. Meanwhile, Duke is also doubling up UConn, 14-7, on second-chance points. It's been one-way traffic so far.

That's the story.

The Huskies cut their deficit to five, but Duke has had a mini surge since, and Cameron Boozer's emphatic block of Tarris Reed Jr. just got Duke out on the run again.

Duke is shooting 50% from the floor and 60% from 3 and has five offensive rebounds. That's a hard combination to beat.

Everyone is eating on the offensive end for the Blue Devils, though Cayden Boozer leads the way with seven points. Duke is 4 for 7 from 3, while UConn has misfired on all three of its long-range attempts. When Duke does miss, it's getting on the glass. Duke has four offensive rebounds; UConn has three rebounds total.

Tarris Reed Jr. continues to dominate for the Huskies: 12 points early. UConn is making a concerted effort to feed him over and over, and neither Maliq Brown nor Patrick Ngongba has an answer. He's getting great position and showing off some strong footwork.

Foster, who broke his foot March 7 and had surgery a few days later, had 11 points in the Sweet 16 win over St. John's.

The Blue Devils' offense is firing on all cylinders here early: 6 for 9 from the field and 2 for 3 from deep. Four different Blue Devils have scored, led by Dame Sarr's five points. There's really good ball movement and off-ball movement.

UConn's game plan is clear: Feed Tarris Reed Jr. He has eight of Duke's 10 points.

Of note: No Caleb Foster for Duke yet.

Feels like about 70-30 in favor of Duke in terms of fans. Absolutely electric atmosphere for this one, as it should be with a Final Four bid on the line. Let's go!

Guards often define March, but last season showed there's more than one path to a title. Walter Clayton Jr. led Florida to a national championship, yet the Gators' edge came from a dominant frontcourt that controlled both ends of the floor.

That context matters entering Sunday's Elite Eight matchup between No. 1 overall seed Duke and No. 2 seed UConn. While guard play will be critical, this game is headlined by elite big men who have carried their teams to this stage.

For Duke, presumptive National Player of the Year Cameron Boozer has been the most consistent force in the sport. Even on an off night, Boozer produces stat lines that would qualify as career performances for most high-major players. On the other side, UConn center Tarris Reed Jr. has posted dominant numbers during the Huskies' run to their third Elite Eight in four seasons.

Battle of the Bigs: Boozer vs. Reed sets up March Madness' ultimate heavyweight throwback

Cameron Salerno

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- At this point, you almost needn't look. The ball went inside to Tarris Reed Jr. Carson Cooper helped off a half-step too many. The ball popped out to Alex Karaban, who had raised his hand as soon as Cooper had turned his head. It didn't matter that Reed's pass took Karaban to the outskirts of the midcourt logo, or that Cooper, with his 6-foot-11 height and a wingspan even longer, closed out nearly perfectly.

When the ball left Karaban's hands, he knew it, his teammates knew it and Michigan State might have known it, too. The ball hit nothing but nylon, and Huskies faithful erupted. Karaban pumped a fist -- ecstatic yet composed -- in the direction of Dan Hurley. It wasn't the dagger, but it put UConn up by four with roughly 30 seconds to play. The Huskies made their free throws, and Karaban -- who else? -- intercepted Michigan State's last desperation pass to secure a 67-63 rollercoaster win and advance to the Elite Eight, where it will face No. 1 seed Duke.

"I refuse to lose and really do anything to help this team win," Karaban said. "The main thing in the huddle that really stuck with me is coach saying, 'Go out there and fire, have no regrets at the end of this,' when Michigan State started making their run. That just really stuck with me.

Alex Karaban keeps Dan Hurley sane. He also keeps winning and climbing UConn, March Madness leaderboards

Zachary Pereles

It'll be Cayden Boozer, Isaiah Evans, Maliz Brown, Dame Sarr and Cameron Boozer as the first five for Duke. Jon Scheyer told CBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson that Caleb Foster is "battling" but he expects him to play.

It'll be Solo Ball, Silas Demary Jr., Tarris Reed Jr., Alex Karaban and Braylon Mullins for UConn.

Last year, all four No. 1 seeds reached the Final Four for only the second time and the first since 2008. That won't be the case this year after reigning national champion Florida was bounced in the second round by Iowa. Still, at least half of the field could be made up of No. 1 seeds if Duke and Michigan beat UConn and Tennessee, respectively.

Duke has played three very interesting games so far. The Blue Devils were in real trouble early against No. 16 seed Siena, used a second-half surge to beat No. 9 seed TCU, and overcame a double-digit deficit against St. John's on Friday to advance. Meanwhile, UConn saw its 19-point advantage slip away in the Sweet 16 against Michigan State before Alex Karaban's late-game heroics helped the Huskies move on.

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Cameron Salerno

UConn fell short of a three-peat last season, losing to eventual national champion Florida in the second round. Still, the Huskies have a chance to win their third title in four years -- a feat not accomplished in nearly 60 years. UCLA was the last program to do it, winning 10 national championships in 12 seasons from 1964-72.

That type of sustained dominance is unlikely in the modern era, and even three titles in four seasons may be difficult to replicate anytime soon. Love him or hate him, Dan Hurley wins. The Huskies are 16-3 in the NCAA Tournament under Hurley.

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Cameron Salerno

Caleb Foster was listed as "questionable" Saturday night, but he has no injury status on Sunday's final update.

Jon Scheyer said yesterday "Nothing's changed" in regards to Foster's starting status after he came off the bench Friday, his first game since fracturing his foot March 7. He finished with 11 points -- all in the second half -- and was a crucial part of Duke overcoming a double-digit deficit.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- One time, two times, three times. If you followed Cameron Boozer's pump fakes Friday night after one offensive rebound in the second half against St. John's, he would have had you nodding like a bobblehead.  

He also would have scored a basket on you, as he did by going over and through Big East Player of the Year Zuby Ejiofor. 

One of college basketball's newest superstars this year relies on one of the oldest tricks in the book -- the pump fake -- to score, draw fouls, frustrate defenders and stay under control. 

"I think for me, a big thing I've learned is using angles and things like that, getting defenders in the air," Boozer said Saturday as Duke prepared to face UConn in the Elite 8. "I think it's something I developed over time. Also, at Duke something we talk about a lot is 'getting vision.' Using pass fakes, shot fakes allows you to get vision. Even if you're not scoring, you get to slow down, read the defense for a second."

Fake it till you make it: Duke's shot-fake mastery is breaking defenses

Zachary Pereles

When No. 1 seed Duke and No. 2 seed UConn square off Sunday in the Elite Eight, it will be a battle between "the two best college basketball programs on the men's side in the last 30 years," according to Huskies coach Dan Hurley.

Is he right?

It depends on the criteria, but if you're basing it exclusively off national championships and draw the line back a little longer than just 30 years, Hurley is spot on. Going back to Duke's first national championship in 1991 and drawing a line until present day, the two programs have combined for 11 titles.

Dan Hurley says UConn and Duke are 'the two best' programs of the past 30 years: Is he right?

David Cobb

All season long, Duke has been elite in winning time, locking down on defense for crunch time possessions and letting Cam Boozer be the engine of the offense in the final minutes. The Blue Devils have not, however, been an elite team early in games and frequently found themselves problem-solving within a contest to get control of the game. Duke was trailing at halftime in two of its three NCAA Tournament games, only leading by four points against TCU in the Round of 32. UConn, meanwhile, got off to a blistering start against Michigan State, outscoring the Spartans 25-6 in the first 10 minutes and that ability to start on the front foot will be important to set the tone in this heavyweight battle. Look for UConn to scheme up lots of creative ways to get Tarris Reed touches early and potentially draw some fouls against Boozer, which could lead to crucial first-half minutes with Duke's star on the bench. So between Duke's slow starts and UConn's plan to get its big man going, we're going to back the Huskies for the first 20 minutes and then buckle up for what should be a thrill ride of a game the rest of the way. Pick: UConn 1H +2.5

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Chip Patterson