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Braylon Mullins watched his shot 'countless' times, but Final Four is UConn freshman's focus
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- Braylon Mullins watched his shot 'countless' times, but Final Four is UConn freshman's focus
INDIANAPOLIS – For the first day or so, Braylon Mullins watched clips of his game-winning 3-pointer over Duke "countless" times.
He didn't have much of a choice, really. It was all over social media. (Seriously. Go to any platform and search for it.) ESPN pretty much had it on a loop. His teammates were watching it repeatedly.
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The last day or so, however, Mullins has been consciously avoiding it.
Final Four bold predictions: Which drought continues? Who wins it all?
"I'm not trying to keep focused on that," he said Thursday, April 2, after Connecticut's practice at the Final Four .
"That game was in the past. It wasn't the national championship," Mullins said. "I know it was a very competitive game, but we've got to focus on the next one."
UConn Huskies guard Braylon Mullins (24) hits a go-ahead three-point basket late in the second half during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena.
(Geoff Burke, Imagn Images)
UConn Huskies guard Braylon Mullins (24) hits a go-ahead three-point basket late in the second half during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena.
(Geoff Burke, Imagn Images)
Braylon Mullins #24 of the UConn Huskies celebrates after shooting the game-winning three point basket during the second half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
Braylon Mullins #24 celebrates with Malachi Smith #0 of the UConn Huskies after shooting the game-winning three point basket during the second half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
UConn Huskies guard Malachi Smith (0) celebrates with UConn Huskies guard Braylon Mullins (24) after a game-winning three-point basket against the Duke Blue Devils in the second half during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena.
(Geoff Burke, Imagn Images)
UConn Huskies guard Braylon Mullins (24) celebrates after making the game-winning three-point basket against the Duke Blue Devils in the second half during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena.
(Geoff Burke, Imagn Images)
The UConn Huskies huddle up against the Duke Blue Devils prior to an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena.
(Amber Searls, Imagn Images)
Head coach Dan Hurley of the UConn Huskies reacts during the second half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
Head coach Dan Hurley of the UConn Huskies reacts during the second half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
UConn Huskies guard Braylon Mullins (24) passes the ball against Duke Blue Devils guard Isaiah Evans (3) in the second half during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena.
(Amber Searls, Imagn Images)
UConn Huskies forward Tarris Reed Jr. (5) goes to the basket against Duke Blue Devils center Patrick Ngongba (21)in the second half during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena.
(Amber Searls, Imagn Images)
UConn Huskies forward Alex Karaban (11) shoots over Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) in the first half during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena.
(Geoff Burke, Imagn Images)
Silas Demary Jr. #2 of the UConn Huskies reacts during the second half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
UConn Huskies forward Tarris Reed Jr. (5) and UConn Huskies forward Jayden Ross (23) celebrate after a play against the Duke Blue Devils in the second half during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena.
(Amber Searls, Imagn Images)
UConn Huskies guard Solo Ball (1) scores against Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) and is fouled in the second half during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena.
(Amber Searls, Imagn Images)
UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley celebrates after a play against the Duke Blue Devils in the second half during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena.
(Geoff Burke, Imagn Images)
Tarris Reed Jr. #5 of the UConn Huskies reacts during the first half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
Solo Ball #1 of the UConn Huskies dribbles against the Duke Blue Devils during the second half of a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
Silas Demary Jr. #2 of the UConn Huskies reacts during the second half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley reacts after a shot clock violation against the Duke Blue Devils in the second half during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena.
(Amber Searls, Imagn Images)
Tarris Reed Jr. #5 of the UConn Huskies looks on against the Duke Blue Devils during the first half of a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
Malachi Smith #0 of the UConn Huskies reacts during the first half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
Solo Ball #1 of the UConn Huskies drives to the rim during the first half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
Tarris Reed Jr. #5 of the UConn Huskies drives to the hoop against Patrick Ngongba #21 of the Duke Blue Devils during the second half of a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
Tarris Reed Jr. #5 of the UConn Huskies dunks against the Duke Blue Devils during the second half of a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
Tarris Reed Jr. #5 celebrates with Malachi Smith #0 of the UConn Huskies during the second half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
Jayden Ross #23 of the UConn Huskies reacts during the second half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
Tarris Reed Jr. #5 of the UConn Huskies reacts during the second half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
Silas Demary Jr. #2 of the UConn Huskies reacts during the second half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
Alex Karaban #11 of the UConn Huskies reacts after shooting a three point basket against the Duke Blue Devils during the second half of a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
Alex Karaban #11 of the UConn Huskies shoots a three point basket against the Duke Blue Devils during the second half of a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
Braylon Mullins #24 of the UConn Huskies celebrates after shooting a three point basket during the second half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
Braylon Mullins #24 celebrates with Malachi Smith #0 of the UConn Huskies after shooting the game-winning three point basket during the second half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
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Braylon Mullins’ late game-winner lifts UConn past Duke
UConn Huskies guard Braylon Mullins (24) hits a go-ahead three-point basket late in the second half during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena.
(Geoff Burke, Imagn Images)
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Braylon Mullins’ late game-winner lifts UConn past Duke
UConn Huskies guard Braylon Mullins (24) hits a go-ahead three-point basket late in the second half during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena.
(Geoff Burke, Imagn Images)
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Braylon Mullins’ late game-winner lifts UConn past Duke
UConn Huskies guard Braylon Mullins (24) hits a go-ahead three-point basket late in the second half during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena.
(Geoff Burke, Imagn Images)
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Braylon Mullins’ late game-winner lifts UConn past Duke
Braylon Mullins #24 of the UConn Huskies celebrates after shooting the game-winning three point basket during the second half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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Braylon Mullins’ late game-winner lifts UConn past Duke
Braylon Mullins #24 celebrates with Malachi Smith #0 of the UConn Huskies after shooting the game-winning three point basket during the second half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
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Braylon Mullins’ late game-winner lifts UConn past Duke
UConn Huskies guard Malachi Smith (0) celebrates with UConn Huskies guard Braylon Mullins (24) after a game-winning three-point basket against the Duke Blue Devils in the second half during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena.
(Geoff Burke, Imagn Images)
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Braylon Mullins’ late game-winner lifts UConn past Duke
UConn Huskies guard Braylon Mullins (24) celebrates after making the game-winning three-point basket against the Duke Blue Devils in the second half during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena.
(Geoff Burke, Imagn Images)
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Braylon Mullins’ late game-winner lifts UConn past Duke
The UConn Huskies huddle up against the Duke Blue Devils prior to an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena.
(Amber Searls, Imagn Images)
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Braylon Mullins’ late game-winner lifts UConn past Duke
Head coach Dan Hurley of the UConn Huskies reacts during the second half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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Braylon Mullins’ late game-winner lifts UConn past Duke
Head coach Dan Hurley of the UConn Huskies reacts during the second half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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Braylon Mullins’ late game-winner lifts UConn past Duke
UConn Huskies guard Braylon Mullins (24) passes the ball against Duke Blue Devils guard Isaiah Evans (3) in the second half during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena.
(Amber Searls, Imagn Images)
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Braylon Mullins’ late game-winner lifts UConn past Duke
UConn Huskies forward Tarris Reed Jr. (5) goes to the basket against Duke Blue Devils center Patrick Ngongba (21)in the second half during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena.
(Amber Searls, Imagn Images)
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Braylon Mullins’ late game-winner lifts UConn past Duke
UConn Huskies forward Alex Karaban (11) shoots over Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) in the first half during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena.
(Geoff Burke, Imagn Images)
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Braylon Mullins’ late game-winner lifts UConn past Duke
Silas Demary Jr. #2 of the UConn Huskies reacts during the second half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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Braylon Mullins’ late game-winner lifts UConn past Duke
UConn Huskies forward Tarris Reed Jr. (5) and UConn Huskies forward Jayden Ross (23) celebrate after a play against the Duke Blue Devils in the second half during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena.
(Amber Searls, Imagn Images)
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Braylon Mullins’ late game-winner lifts UConn past Duke
UConn Huskies guard Solo Ball (1) scores against Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) and is fouled in the second half during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena.
(Amber Searls, Imagn Images)
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Braylon Mullins’ late game-winner lifts UConn past Duke
UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley celebrates after a play against the Duke Blue Devils in the second half during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena.
(Geoff Burke, Imagn Images)
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Braylon Mullins’ late game-winner lifts UConn past Duke
Tarris Reed Jr. #5 of the UConn Huskies reacts during the first half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
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Braylon Mullins’ late game-winner lifts UConn past Duke
Solo Ball #1 of the UConn Huskies dribbles against the Duke Blue Devils during the second half of a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
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Braylon Mullins’ late game-winner lifts UConn past Duke
Silas Demary Jr. #2 of the UConn Huskies reacts during the second half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
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Braylon Mullins’ late game-winner lifts UConn past Duke
UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley reacts after a shot clock violation against the Duke Blue Devils in the second half during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena.
(Amber Searls, Imagn Images)
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Braylon Mullins’ late game-winner lifts UConn past Duke
Tarris Reed Jr. #5 of the UConn Huskies looks on against the Duke Blue Devils during the first half of a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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Braylon Mullins’ late game-winner lifts UConn past Duke
Malachi Smith #0 of the UConn Huskies reacts during the first half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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Braylon Mullins’ late game-winner lifts UConn past Duke
Solo Ball #1 of the UConn Huskies drives to the rim during the first half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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Braylon Mullins’ late game-winner lifts UConn past Duke
Tarris Reed Jr. #5 of the UConn Huskies drives to the hoop against Patrick Ngongba #21 of the Duke Blue Devils during the second half of a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
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Braylon Mullins’ late game-winner lifts UConn past Duke
Tarris Reed Jr. #5 of the UConn Huskies dunks against the Duke Blue Devils during the second half of a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
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Braylon Mullins’ late game-winner lifts UConn past Duke
Tarris Reed Jr. #5 celebrates with Malachi Smith #0 of the UConn Huskies during the second half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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Braylon Mullins’ late game-winner lifts UConn past Duke
Jayden Ross #23 of the UConn Huskies reacts during the second half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
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Braylon Mullins’ late game-winner lifts UConn past Duke
Tarris Reed Jr. #5 of the UConn Huskies reacts during the second half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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Braylon Mullins’ late game-winner lifts UConn past Duke
Silas Demary Jr. #2 of the UConn Huskies reacts during the second half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
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Braylon Mullins’ late game-winner lifts UConn past Duke
Alex Karaban #11 of the UConn Huskies reacts after shooting a three point basket against the Duke Blue Devils during the second half of a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
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Braylon Mullins’ late game-winner lifts UConn past Duke
Alex Karaban #11 of the UConn Huskies shoots a three point basket against the Duke Blue Devils during the second half of a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
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Braylon Mullins’ late game-winner lifts UConn past Duke
Braylon Mullins #24 of the UConn Huskies celebrates after shooting a three point basket during the second half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
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Braylon Mullins’ late game-winner lifts UConn past Duke
Braylon Mullins #24 celebrates with Malachi Smith #0 of the UConn Huskies after shooting the game-winning three point basket during the second half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
That's the message UConn coach Dan Hurley had for his entire team, not just the freshman sensation.
Duke, the overall No. 1 seed, was leading the Huskies by two when Silas Demary Jr. deflected a pass by Cayden Boozer with six seconds left.
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Mullins scooped up the ball around halfcourt and dished to Alex Karaban, who gave it right back. Mullins then drained the 35-footer with 0.4 seconds left to beat Duke and send UConn to its third Final Four in four years.
"That moment is over. It's an incredible moment. You'll have that moment the rest of your life. But we came here for rings, not watches," Hurley said.
"Everyone that comes to the Final Four gets a beautiful watch, but only one group is going to get a ring," he said. "So get off social media, stop injecting the dopamine into your arm and get serious about the preparation and the practice because we don't hang banners for Final Fours at UConn. We hang national championship banners."
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UConn now plays Illinois on Saturday, April 4, in what is also a homecoming for Mullins.
If Mullins isn't being asked about his shot, he's being asked about coming back to Indiana, where he was Mr. Basketball last year. No, he doesn't have advice for his teammates on what to do in Indianapolis. He grew up in Greenfield, which is about 30 minutes east of Lucas Oil Stadium.
He's never been to an Indianapolis Colts game, but this isn't his first time at Lucas Oil. He was here for a couple of state high school football championships as well as the Big Ten football title game.
And yes, he's seen his family. His parents came by the team hotel after UConn arrived.
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"It's unbelievable to be in the position I am," Mullins said. "I think it just makes everything a little sweeter knowing that I'm playing in front of family and friends. I can't wait to see everybody in open practice tomorrow and see everybody at the game."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: UConn's Braylon Mullins hoping for more than Duke video highlight
