After one of the most memorable finishes in March Madness history, Duke’s Cayden Boozer emotionally reflected on the pass that will live in infamy.
With six seconds left in Duke’s Elite 8 game against UConn on Sunday, March 29, Boozer’s pass was intercepted by the Huskies, leading to Braylon Mullins’ stunning game-winning shot to send UConn to the Final Four.
“I turned the ball over,” Boozer, 18, told reporters in the locker room after the game. “I should have been stronger with the ball. It cost our team our season.”
Boozer, who had tears in eyes, revealed the conversation the team had with head coach Jon Scheyer in the timeout before the fateful play.
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“We knew that they were going to trap,” he said. “Just be strong with the ball.”
Duke blew a 19-point lead in the game, including leading UConn by 15 points at halftime. Boozer said his team lost their “competitive edge.”
“At the end of day, I’m sticking with our guys no matter what,” he added. “We had a chance to win regardless of what happened in the second half. Just a tough game.”
Boozer admitted it was “hard” to find perspective in the aftermath of the loss but said “this is the best time I’ve had playing basketball.” The freshman was joined on the Duke squad by his twin brother, Cameron, who is expected to be a top pick in this summer’s NBA Draft.
“The group of guys that we have, I’m really grateful for them,” Cayden said. “Obviously we didn’t get the job done, but I’m super grateful for this team and everything we were able to accomplish this year.”
Cayden and Cameron are the sons of former Duke star Carlos Boozer, who played in the NBA from 2002 to 2015.
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After the game, Scheyer, 38, attempted to reckon with what had just unfolded.
“I don’t have the words,” Scheyer told reporters. “I’m incredibly sorry for these guys that they’ve got to go through this. This is on us.”
Scheyer, who played at Duke from 2006 to 2010, added, “We just have to secure it, right? We got it. They had a foul. I was ready for a timeout. We’ve just got to hold on.”
With their stunning victory, UConn advanced to the Final Four in Indianapolis, where they will clash with Illinois on Saturday, April 4. Michigan and Arizona will face off in the other Final Four game.
