Duke's Championship Dream Crushed After UConn's Unbelievable 19-Point Comeback In Elite Eight

Illinois players in white and orange jerseys celebrate winning the Final Four game at center court as confetti falls.

On March 28, Arizona beat Purdue in San Jose and Illinois toppled Iowa in Houston. Led by its “Balkan Bloc,” Illinois reached the Final Four for the first time since 2005 under coach Brad Underwood.

UConn's Braylon Mullins releases the game-winning buzzer-beater against Duke as teammates begin to celebrate behind him.

UConn, led by Tarris Reed Jr., pulled off a jaw-dropping 19-point comeback to stun Duke. Braylon Mullins drilled a logo 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left — UConn’s 3rd Final Four in 4 years.

Coach Dan Hurley of Michigan stands with arms crossed, smiling as the scoreboard shows a 95-62 victory over Tennessee.

Michigan crushed Tennessee 95-62 in Chicago, sealing the Final Four. Coach Dan Hurley said, “We believe we’re supposed to win this time of year.” The last 2 times UConn reached here, they won it all.

An Illinois player sits on a bench next to a glass slipper, facing a reflection of a sportsbook odds board.

Arizona opened as title favorite at +165, Michigan +180, UConn the biggest longshot at +550. Despite 96 Big Ten wins since 2019-20, Illinois — a 2.5-point favorite and No. 3 seed — still played “Cinderella.”

An empty arena with a dusty championship banner, a discarded foam finger, and a glowing transfer portal doorway.

NIL and the transfer portal have reshaped college basketball. Double-digit seeds won only 5 games this tournament — down from 11 just 2 years ago. Mid-major Cinderellas like FAU now feel like ancient history.

A Michigan coach and an Arizona coach face each other at center court before the Final Four game.

Michigan vs. Arizona is a heavyweight clash featuring up to 9 NBA prospects. Arizona built through loyalty; Michigan loaded via the portal under coach Dusty May. The Big Ten chases its first title since 2000.