By Chris Robinson

UConn completed one of the most dramatic comebacks in NCAA tournament history on Sunday, defeating top-seeded Duke 73-72 in the Elite Eight to advance to the Final Four in a classic game.

The game took place from Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

The Huskies, the No. 2 seed in the region, trailed by 19 points in the first half and were down 44-29 at halftime before storming back. 

They outscored Duke throughout the second half and trailed 72-70 with 10 seconds to play when Duke attempted to inbound under its own basket. Under pressure, Duke turned the ball over near halfcourt. 

Silas Demery deflected a pass intended for Cayden Boozer, leading to a steal by Braylon Mullins. After a quick exchange with Alex Karaban, Mullins launched the game-winning shot from near the midcourt logo that sent UConn to the national semifinals.

The comeback ranks as the sixth-largest in tournament history and marked a devastating finish for a Duke team that entered the tournament as the No. 1 overall seed. It also ended the Blue Devils’ championship hopes for the second straight season, following a late loss in last year’s Final Four to Houston.

UConn head coach Dan Hurley credited Mullins for his composure and effort in the postgame interview, calling him “a rare human being” and praising the team’s culture. “It’s the UConn culture, it’s the UConn heart,” Hurley told CBS. “It’s what Geno [Auriemma] built and what Coach [Jim] Calhoun built and what Kevin Ollie carried on. We just believe we’re supposed to win this time of year.”

With the win, UConn advances to its third Final Four in four seasons. The Huskies won national championships in their previous two appearances during that stretch. They will face Illinois in the national semifinal, joining Arizona and Michigan in this year’s Final Four.

Chris Robinson can be reached at crobinson@hustleboss.com

*** Photo courtesy of UConn Men’s Basketball