UConn's Braylon Mullins Hits Miracle Shot to Reach Final Four

Freshman's buzzer-beater sends Huskies to Indianapolis, his hometown, for national semifinals

Apr. 3, 2026 at 2:53am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the climactic moment of Braylon Mullins' game-winning 3-pointer, with his figure and the basketball fragmented into abstract shapes and planes of vibrant color.Braylon Mullins' last-second heroics send UConn to the Final Four in his home state of Indiana.Greenfield Today

UConn freshman Braylon Mullins hit a 35-foot buzzer-beater to defeat Duke and send the Huskies to the Final Four in Indianapolis, just 30 minutes from Mullins' hometown of Greenfield, Indiana. The shot has gone viral, leading to a flurry of social media attention and NIL deals for Mullins, but coach Dan Hurley has reminded the team that the job is not finished as they seek the program's seventh national championship.

Why it matters

Mullins' miracle shot is one of the most memorable plays of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, cementing his place in March Madness lore. The fact that it came in his home state of Indiana, just a short drive from where he grew up, adds an extra layer of significance and storybook quality to the moment. UConn is one of college basketball's premier programs, so Mullins and the Huskies have a chance to cap off an incredible season with a national title.

The details

With UConn trailing Duke by 19 points in the Elite Eight, Mullins hit a 35-foot buzzer-beater to complete the Huskies' comeback and send them to the Final Four. The shot has gone viral, leading to Mullins signing an NIL deal with Greenies dog treats and launching a 'Money Mullins' apparel line. Mullins, a projected top 20 NBA draft pick, struggled with his shooting late in the season but found himself with the ball in his hands for the final shot against Duke.

  • Mullins hit the game-winning shot on April 2, 2026.
  • The Final Four takes place on April 5-7, 2026 in Indianapolis.

The players

Braylon Mullins

A 6-foot-6 freshman guard for the UConn Huskies who hit the game-winning 3-pointer to defeat Duke and send his team to the Final Four, which is being held in his hometown of Indianapolis.

Dan Hurley

The head coach of the UConn Huskies, who has reminded the team that their job is not finished and they are aiming to win the national championship, not just reach the Final Four.

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What they’re saying

“It's crazy, I watched that show as a kid. He said he talked about it on his comedy show in New York City.”

— Joe Gatto, Comedian

“You'll have that moment the rest of your life. But we came here for rings, not watches. Everyone that comes to the Final Four gets a beautiful watch, but only one group is going to get a ring.”

— Dan Hurley, Head Coach, UConn Huskies

What’s next

The UConn Huskies will face the Illinois Fighting Illini in the national semifinal on April 5, 2026 in Indianapolis. If they win, they will advance to the national championship game on April 7, 2026.

The takeaway

Braylon Mullins' miracle shot to defeat Duke and send UConn to the Final Four in his home state of Indiana is a storybook moment that has captured the attention of fans across the country. However, the Huskies know their work is not done, as they seek to cap off an incredible season by winning the national championship.