The 2026 NCAA Tournament just delivered one of the greatest moments in March Madness history. Freshman wing Braylon Mullins launched a desperation 35-foot three-pointer with just 0.4 seconds on the clock, and it splashed through the net to give No. 2 seed UConn a jaw-dropping 73-72 victory over No. 1 overall seed Duke in the Elite Eight.

With that single shot, the Final Four is officially set — and college basketball fans are still trying to process what just happened.

The Shot Heard Around The Tournament

Here’s what makes this moment so unbelievable: UConn was down 44-25 late in the first half. The Huskies started the game shooting a miserable 1-for-18 from three-point range. Mullins himself had missed all four of his attempts from beyond the arc before the final play.

Then Duke tried to run out the clock. Cayden Boozer’s pass near midcourt was deflected by UConn guard Silas Demary Jr., and the ball ended up in Mullins’ hands. From 35 feet out, with no time to think, the freshman from Greenfield, Indiana — just 30 miles from the Final Four venue at Lucas Oil Stadium — let it fly.

Nothing but net.

UConn’s 19-point comeback is now tied for the third-largest in Elite Eight history or later in the NCAA Tournament. This is March at its absolute finest.

How UConn Clawed Back

The Huskies didn’t just get lucky at the buzzer — they earned their way back into this game through sheer physicality. Center Tarris Reed has been a monster all tournament, averaging 21.5 points and 13.5 rebounds per game in March. Once UConn abandoned the outside shot that wasn’t falling and started pounding the ball inside, Duke couldn’t handle Reed’s size and power.

Guards Silas Demary Jr. and Solomon Ball made clutch plays down the stretch to chip away at the deficit, turning a blowout into a dogfight. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, Duke’s comfortable lead had evaporated — and you could feel the momentum shifting.

Your 2026 Final Four Matchups

The stage is set for April 4 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis:

UConn vs. Illinois — The Huskies ride in on pure adrenaline after the Duke comeback. They’ll face an Illinois squad that’s been playing elite defense in the tournament after beating Iowa 71-59 in the Elite Eight. Keaton Wagler dropped 25 points to send the Illini to their first Final Four since 2005. This one’s going to be a battle of wills.

Arizona vs. Michigan — Two No. 1 seeds collide in what could be the game of the tournament. Michigan has been dominant, winning tournament games by an average of 22.5 points behind Yaxel Lendeborg’s 27-point, 7-rebound masterclass against Tennessee. Arizona has been just as impressive, beating Purdue 79-64 in the Elite Eight with a balanced attack that’s been nearly impossible to game-plan against.

Early Odds and Predictions

The oddsmakers have Michigan as the slight favorite at +160, with Arizona right behind at +165. Illinois sits at 4/1, while UConn — despite the storybook run — is the longest shot at 7/1.

ESPN experts are split on the Arizona-Michigan showdown, with Jeff Borzello picking Arizona 82-80 and Myron Medcalf taking Michigan 78-76. The smart money says don’t sleep on Illinois’ defense or UConn’s momentum.

The FixItWhy Take

This Final Four has everything: a Cinderella run, a historic buzzer-beater, dominant blue-blood programs, and a feel-good story in Braylon Mullins playing the biggest game of his life 30 miles from his hometown.

Michigan and Arizona look like the strongest teams on paper, but March Madness has never cared about paper. UConn has proven it can win games it has no business winning, and Illinois has quietly become the most dangerous defensive team left in the field.

Our pick? Don’t bet against a team with this much momentum. UConn has the intangibles, the big man in Reed, and now the confidence that comes from pulling off the impossible. Saturday night in Indianapolis is going to be electric.

The Final Four tips off Saturday, April 4 at 6:00 PM and 8:30 PM ET on TBS from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.