UConn Must Overcome Hype of Duke Victory Entering Final Four Matchup Against Illinois

The Huskies cannot relive its glory against the Blue Devils for too long entering Indianapolis

Mar 29, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley (R) celebrates with mascot Johnathan the Husky during the trophy ceremony after their game against the Duke Blue Devils in an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

There has been no bigger story entering the Final Four than Braylon Mullins and UConn for its heroics over Duke in the Elite 8. The iconic moment swept the nation and was the lead story on nearly every sport and news program around the country this week.

Several Huskies were featured with major interviews about the game and Mullins’ shot since Sunday night, but as UConn embarks on its journey to Indianapolis it must be forgotten.

“I think for us, the story was just that that game was a reflection on the season,” head coach Dan Hurley said moments after his team’s victory over the Blue Devils.

“It's been a season where we've been dealt with injuries to key players at critical points of the year that we've had to overcome, and we've had to show a lot of fortitude and resilience and just kind of claw our way through the season,” he added.

The week between games will surely help UConn reset its focus to Illinois but the Illini are poised to make a lot of noise entering its first Final Four since 2005, playing its best basketball of the season.

As one of the best coaches in the country, Hurley will have his team’s undivided attention entering a second matchup with the Illini after a 13-point win at Madison Square Garden in November.

Its only other meeting against Illinois with Dan Hurley as its head coach was in the 2023 Elite 8 as UConn used a 30-0 run which spanned the first and second halves to punch its ticket to the Final Four.

“Thought just the game was a microcosm of that,” Hurley added of his team’s win over Duke. “We fought, we clawed, put ourselves in position to take advantage of a mistake that they made. And one of the most brilliant shooters you'll ever see shoot a basketball made an incredible, legendary March shot.”

UConn will arrive in Indy on Wednesday as it continues its quest to win its third National Championship in the last four years.