UConn dropped its 2026-27 nonconference schedule, and if you thought the Huskies were going to be subtle, you were wrong. The real story isn’t just the matchups; it’s the absolute, unadulterated shade they threw at Duke. They twisted the knife, man, right in the wound, recalling one of the most unforgettable moments in recent NCAA Tournament history.
OOOOOHHHHHH! The Shot Heard ‘Round the Nation
The Huskies knew exactly what they were doing with this schedule release. In their official announcement, listing the all-time record and most recent meeting for each opponent, UConn went full savage on Duke. For the “Last Meeting” section against the Blue Devils, they didn’t just list the score. Oh no. They quoted Ian Eagle’s legendary play-by-play call from TNT’s broadcast of the 2026 Elite Eight victory! You know the one that still gives Duke fans nightmares: “Get it in to Boozer, back for Sarr, ahead, Boozer, that ball deflected! And stolen by Mullins! Karaban, two seconds, Mullins, tosses it up…OOHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Braylon Mullins didn’t just hit a shot; he drilled that miraculous 35-foot heave in the final seconds, wiping out a shocking 19-point first-half deficit to snatch victory. An unforgettable win for UConn, and pure, crushing heartbreak for Duke. It’s no wonder ESPN and other national outlets immediately picked up on this playful ribbing; it was pure, unadulterated gold!
Six Decades of Bad Blood and Revenge
This isn’t about one epic shot, though. This rivalry between UConn and Duke has serious history, spanning six decades and 11 games that have often featured some of the sport’s most iconic players. Duke still holds a narrow 6-5 all-time edge, a margin Braylon Mullins’ incredible shot brought to life. Six of those 11 matchups went down in the pressure cooker of the NCAA Tournament, so the stakes are always sky-high. Mullins’ last-second heroics weren’t just epic in their own right; they also served as revenge 36 years in the making! Think back to the 1990 East Regional Final, where Duke’s Christian Laettner pulled off his own buzzer-beating magic, a double-clutch shot just inside the 3-point line, to give Duke a heartbreaking 79-78 victory. But UConn has had its moments too, dominating a stretch by winning four straight against Duke from 1999 through 2014. That run included a massive 79-78 victory in the 2004 Final Four in San Antonio, proving these two programs have traded blows for generations.
Get Ready for Round Twelve
Coach Dan Hurley is clearly not shying away from a challenge this season. He’s built a tough nonconference slate, scheduling high-profile opponents like Michigan, Ohio State, Kansas, Virginia, Arizona, and Illinois for the Huskies. But you know the game everyone is circling on their calendar. UConn and Duke are set to clash again this season on November 25, the day before Thanksgiving. They’re meeting at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with the game broadcasting live on Amazon Prime. You better believe that Elite Eight moment will be replayed a million times leading up to that one. Can UConn even the all-time series? You know Duke wants payback, not just for the loss, but for that absolute savagery in the schedule announcement. This is going to be a must-watch basketball showdown.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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