Story perspectives

Duke Blows 19-Point Lead, Falls to UConn 73-72

3/30/2026

Summary

Story summary

Duke University fell 73-72 to the University of Connecticut after leading by 19 points.
The Duke University radio crew misidentified a foul in the final moments.
Duke freshman Cayden Boozer's late turnover allowed Braylon Mullins to hit the game-winning three.
Duke head coach Jon Scheyer said the loss resulted from multiple plays, not Boozer's mistake.
This week, the University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University also suffered collapses.

History

Historical Context

The 1979 NCAA Basketball Championship marked a turning point in college sports, as Michigan State defeated Indiana State 75-64 on March 26, 1979. This game featured future NBA legends Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, drawing over 35 million viewers. It was the first tournament to use seeding and introduced unique branding, significantly elevating the profile of college basketball nationwide.

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Story summary

Duke University fell 73-72 to the University of Connecticut after leading by 19 points.
The Duke University radio crew misidentified a foul in the final moments.
Duke freshman Cayden Boozer's late turnover allowed Braylon Mullins to hit the game-winning three.
Duke head coach Jon Scheyer said the loss resulted from multiple plays, not Boozer's mistake.
This week, the University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University also suffered collapses.

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