The NCAA March Madness tournaments have been filled with thrilling victories and historic moments. Some of those historic moments come at a heartbreaking cost.
The heavily favored Duke men’s basketball team made history on Sunday — but not in the way they hoped. They blew one of the largest halftime leads in March Madness history to UConn.
One of the most notable turns of events came when Cayden Boozer committed an untimely turnover late in the game. With Duke up 72–70, Boozer lost control of the ball, and UConn took possession.
MORE: Ranking Duke’s worst losses at the March Madness
Braylon Mullins received the ball at the logo, launched a prayer, and the rest is history. UConn won 73–72 and sent Duke home.
Fans point the finger?
The pressure immediately shifted onto Boozer. Fans flooded his social media and held nothing back in their frustration.
Everyone will say, as Duke’s head coach Jon Scheyer did, that Boozer should have just held onto the ball.
“We just have to secure it, right? We got it,” Scheyer told the media. “They had a foul. I was ready for a timeout. We’ve just got to hold on.”
MORE: Duke broadcasters pout after brutal 2026 NCAA Tournament collapse
Certainly, Boozer likely should have found a way to hold on, take a foul, and play the odds that way. Duke also should not have been in that position to begin with.
Mar 29, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Cayden Boozer (2) goes to the basket against UConn Huskies guard Braylon Mullins (24) in the first half during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
Despite his team leading 50–33 in the second half at one point, Boozer took the blame like a leader would. “I ruined our team’s season.” He said.
There is no doubt fans have every right to feel frustrated. However, there comes a point when reality sets in, and they realize it is not on one player.
The collapse was a collective failure. Boozer played his part, but the team ultimately flopped on the stage.
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