Braylon Mullins, a freshman guard for the UConn Huskies, recently spoke about the whirlwind of emotions following his team’s thrilling victory over Duke in the NCAA March Madness tournament. In a gripping finish, Mullins secured the win with a game-winning three-pointer that clinched a narrow one-point victory in the Elite Eight round on March 29, 2026.
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In an interview with the Today show, Mullins shared that he could hardly articulate his feelings after the game. “I can’t even explain it myself,” he admitted, now still processing the events of that dramatic afternoon in Washington, DC. The young athlete expressed a mix of elation and disbelief, stating, “It’s crazy that that all happened yesterday.”
Recounting the closing moments of the game, Mullins reflected on the tense atmosphere as UConn trailed by two points with mere seconds remaining. He described the team’s defensive strategy, which involved fouling the weakest free throw shooter on the Duke squad. To the Huskies’ surprise, the opponent turned the ball over, creating a pivotal opportunity. Mullins had intended to pass to teammate Alex Karaban, who had recently scored, but instead ended up with the ball in hand during the frantic final seconds. “I knew there was like 0.4 seconds left on the clock, so I thought that was the best opportunity we were gonna get,” he explained.
The three-pointer that sealed the victory was particularly significant for Mullins, as it marked his lone successful shot from beyond the arc during the match. Earlier in the game, he had struggled with easier attempts. “But the hard one went down,” he remarked, demonstrating a blend of humility and surprise at his pivotal moment of success. Now, with their sights set on the upcoming matchup, Mullins is focused on preparing for the Final Four against the Illinois Fighting Illini.
During the same interview, Mullins shed light on what head coach Danny Hurley conveyed to the players at halftime, when the team was trailing 44-29. He noted that Hurley emphasised positivity and worked to instil confidence within the squad. “He was just keeping the positivity and just trying to instil the confidence in everybody,” Mullins recalled. “We worked too hard for it, so we just had to go do what we do.”
In a post-game address, Coach Hurley praised Mullins as “a rare human being,” highlighting the young player’s toughness and determination. After hearing this assessment on Today, Mullins expressed admiration for his coach, describing Hurley as his “role model.” He further remarked on his decision to play for UConn, saying he was drawn to the prospect of being pushed to his limits under Hurley’s guidance.
Excitement surrounds Mullins and his teammates as the Final Four approaches, particularly as the tournament will be held in Indianapolis, his hometown. The prospect of playing in a venue so familiar to him evokes strong sentiments. “It’s kind of crazy to think,” Mullins said, reflecting on his journey. “That little kid in me, he’s running around the room right now.”
As UConn prepares for what promises to be an electrifying game against Illinois, the Huskies’ hopes rest on the shoulders of their young star. Mullins’ trajectory as a player continues to attract attention, and many look forward to seeing how he will perform in front of his home crowd.
In the coming days, the focus will be on the preparations leading up to the Final Four. For Mullins, this period is one filled with anticipation as he seeks to build upon his recent success while remaining grounded and focused on what lies ahead. With determination and support from his coach and teammates, he aims to continue making an impact on the court.