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UConn Buzzer-Beater Ends Duke’s Run

The defeat has sharpened scrutiny of Jon Scheyer’s late-game coaching against a strong four-year record.

Overview

  • UConn beat Duke 73-72 in the Elite Eight on Sunday after freshman Braylon Mullins hit a near-halfcourt three with 0.4 seconds left.
  • Duke led by as many as 19 and still held the ball up two in the final 10 seconds before a Cayden Boozer turnover set up Mullins’ 35-foot winner.
  • The loss extends a pattern under Jon Scheyer in which Duke built big NCAA Tournament leads and lost, including 2024 vs. NC State and 2025 vs. Houston.
  • The result drew heavy online criticism of Scheyer, even as Jay Williams and Rick Pitino publicly defended him and called him an elite coach with titles in his future.
  • A resurfaced Duke team video teaching late-game clock management drew ridicule after the misplay, even as Scheyer’s larger résumé—about 124 wins, 25 losses, and three straight Elite Eights—remains strong.