It was a night for the ages in Washington, D.C., as the UConn Huskies pulled off one of the most dramatic comebacks in NCAA Tournament history, toppling the No. 1 overall seed Duke Blue Devils 73-72 in the Elite Eight on March 29, 2026. The Huskies, who trailed by as many as 19 points and were down 15 at halftime, rewrote the record books and sent their fans—and celebrity supporter Bill Murray—into a frenzy.
The scene inside Capital One Arena was electric from the tip, but few could have predicted the chaos that would unfold in the final seconds. Duke, long a powerhouse in March, seemed to have the game firmly in hand, holding a 134-0 record as a No. 1 seed when leading by 15 or more at halftime. But UConn refused to quit. With just over four minutes left, Tarris Reed Jr. sparked hope for the Huskies, trimming the deficit to five with a determined layup. The crowd, split between nervous Duke fans and hopeful UConn supporters, braced for a wild finish.
As the clock wound down, Duke's Cayden Boozer made an ill-fated turnover with six seconds remaining, giving UConn a final shot at glory. Enter Braylon Mullins. With 0.3 seconds left, the sophomore guard launched a 35-foot three-pointer—nothing but net. Pandemonium erupted. UConn seized a 73-72 lead, leaving Duke stunned and the Huskies faithful in delirium. Actor Bill Murray, a fixture at UConn games throughout this tournament run, was seen high-fiving the UConn band and celebrating with fans, his joy unmistakable.
"It was pure chaos in Washington, DC, with Duke fans coming to grips with what just happened and UConn fans celebrating," reported For The Win. Murray, whose son Luke Murray has been a key assistant coach for the Huskies since 2021, has been a constant presence at all four of UConn's 2026 NCAA tournament games. His support has become something of a good luck charm for the team. After the buzzer, the Groundhog Day and Ghostbusters star was spotted sharing the moment with the UConn band, basking in the afterglow of one of the tournament's most memorable finishes.
Bill Murray's connection to the program goes beyond fandom. His son, Luke Murray, has played a pivotal role on Dan Hurley's coaching staff, serving as the Huskies' offensive coordinator and helping mastermind their high-powered attack. Under Luke's guidance, UConn has become one of the most efficient offenses in college basketball, ranking third nationally during his tenure. The Huskies shot 48% from the field this season and averaged 18.4 assists per game, a testament to the unselfish, team-first approach Murray has championed.
Luke Murray's impact has not gone unnoticed. After helping UConn capture back-to-back national championships in 2023 and 2024, he was named the next head coach at Boston College on March 26, 2026. The Eagles, who have struggled in recent years—finishing 11-20 overall and just 4-14 in the ACC this season—are hoping Murray's "sophisticated offensive vision" can spark a turnaround. Boston College athletic director Blake James called the hire a "turning point," praising Murray's ability to define the "modern landscape of college basketball."
For Luke, the opportunity is both a professional milestone and a personal honor. "I am deeply honored and incredibly grateful to lead the Boston College Men’s Basketball program," Murray said. "Our team will play an unselfish, tough, and highly competitive brand of basketball." At 40 years old, Murray brings a wealth of experience, having started his coaching career at Post University in 2008 and working under Hurley at Wagner, Rhode Island, and UConn. His rise through the coaching ranks has been marked by a relentless work ethic and a knack for building dynamic offenses.
Despite his new appointment, Murray will remain with UConn through the end of this NCAA Tournament run, ensuring continuity for a Huskies squad still chasing another national title. The Murray family's presence near the UConn bench is expected to continue as the team heads to Indianapolis for the Final Four, where they will face No. 3 Illinois at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, April 4.
The UConn program has enjoyed a renaissance under Dan Hurley and his staff, with Luke Murray's offensive schemes playing a crucial role. During their 2024 championship run, the Huskies ranked fifth in the country in field goal percentage and second in assists per game. This season, they have maintained that high standard, and their resilience was on full display against Duke. The Huskies' ability to claw back from a seemingly insurmountable deficit speaks to the culture of toughness and belief instilled by the coaching staff.
Bill Murray's support has added a unique flavor to UConn's journey. Before the Elite Eight matchup, he was seen chatting with former Huskies star Cam Spencer, a key figure in the 2024 national championship and now a sophomore standout with the Memphis Grizzlies. The camaraderie and history surrounding the program are palpable, with generations of players and fans sharing in the Huskies' success.
The Murray legacy—both on and off the court—has become intertwined with UConn's recent dominance. Bill's pride in his son's achievements is evident. In a resurfaced interview from 2014, the Oscar-nominated actor reflected on watching Luke's coaching career blossom: "He can pay his own bills and everything. That's really exciting. But he's good at what he does. He's pretty good at what he does. I get a kick out of it. And he wears a tie! Who wouldn't be proud of his son in a tie?"
As UConn prepares for another Final Four appearance, the spotlight shines not only on the players and head coach but also on the contributions of Luke Murray and the unwavering support of his famous father. The Huskies' improbable comeback against Duke will be remembered as one of the great moments in NCAA Tournament lore—a testament to perseverance, belief, and a little bit of March magic.
With the Final Four looming and the Murray family firmly in the Huskies' corner, UConn's quest for another national championship is alive and well. Fans can expect the excitement—and the Murray celebrations—to continue in Indianapolis, where history is still waiting to be written.