Bill Murray's Tangled Ties to UConn, Illinois, and Duke

The legendary actor's family and basketball connections span multiple Final Four teams.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 6:23pm

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Bill Murray, the famous actor and Illinois superfan, finds himself in an unusual position this Final Four. His son is an assistant coach for UConn, who beat Murray's alma mater Duke in the Elite Eight. Meanwhile, Murray's college basketball recruitment history also intersects with current Duke head coach Jon Scheyer. This web of connections has created a unique situation for the beloved celebrity as he navigates rooting interests during the high-stakes tournament.

Why it matters

Murray's long-standing fandom and personal ties to multiple teams in the Final Four spotlight the intertwined nature of college basketball rivalries and personal relationships. This story highlights how the sport can create unexpected alliances and divisions, even among the most devoted fans and alumni.

The details

In a photo circulating on social media, a young Jon Scheyer, then an Illinois recruit, is seen standing next to Bill Murray at the 2005 Final Four. Years later, Scheyer is now the head coach of the Duke Blue Devils, who were eliminated from the tournament by Murray's son's team, the UConn Huskies. Murray has confirmed he will be rooting for UConn on Saturday night, despite his long history of supporting the Fighting Illini.

  • In 2005, a photo was taken of Bill Murray and a young Jon Scheyer at the Final Four.
  • In 2026, UConn defeated Duke in the Elite Eight, ending the Blue Devils' tournament run.

The players

Bill Murray

A famous American actor and comedian who is a longtime fan of the University of Illinois basketball team.

Jon Scheyer

The current head coach of the Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team, who was once recruited by the University of Illinois when he was a high school player.

Braylon Mullins

A UConn player who hit a last-second shot to defeat Duke in the Elite Eight and advance the Huskies to the Final Four.

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What they’re saying

“The Tribune went back into the archives to find some photos of Murray at the 2005 Final Four. And look who's next to him, over his right shoulder, when he was 17 and being heavily recruited by the Illini:”

— Andrew Carter, Reporter

“Murray confirmed he'd be rooting for UConn and his son on Saturday night.”

— Bill Murray

What’s next

The outcome of the UConn vs. Illinois Final Four matchup on Saturday will determine whether Bill Murray's divided loyalties are resolved, as his son's team faces off against his alma mater.

The takeaway

This story highlights the unexpected ways that personal connections and long-standing fandoms can intersect in the high-stakes world of college basketball. Murray's tangled ties to multiple teams in the Final Four showcase the human drama that can unfold alongside the athletic competition.