Is there something called the ‘Duke Curse’ in college basketball? Some fans on social media have pointed out a pattern over the last nine years, and it’s worth taking a closer look.
The UConn Huskies defeated the Duke Blue Devils 73-72 in the Elite Eight matchup on Sunday. It turned out to be one of the most exciting games of the season despite Duke’s strong start.
At the end of the first half, the Blue Devils led 44-29. They extended the lead to 19 at one point, and just when it seemed like it was all over for the Huskies, they caught second wind and shocked everyone.
The Huskies went on a 22-10 run, making it a close game. In the final few seconds, when Duke led by two points, Braylon Mullins delivered one of the biggest shots of the season. He shot from 35 feet and helped UConn advance to the Final Four.
Now, the concern for UConn fans is the ‘Duke Curse’ that has been lethal for teams since 2018. On the r/CollegeBasketball subreddit, a fan said that since 2018, the team that beat Duke in the NCAA Tournament went on to lose the very next game.
- In 2018, Kansas defeated Duke in the Elite Eight and lost to Villanova in the Final Four.
- In 2019, Michigan defeated Duke in the Elite Eight and lost to Texas in the Final Four.
- The 2020 season was marred by a global pandemic, and the following season, Duke wasn’t in the tournament.
- In 2022, North Carolina defeated Duke and lost to KU.
- In 2023, Tennessee defeated Duke and lost to FAU.
- In 2024, NC State defeated Duke and lost to Purdue.
- In 2025, Houston defeated Duke and lost to Florida.
The team that eliminates Duke is cursed
by
u/RedditDegenerate96 in
CollegeBasketball
Will history repeat itself, legitimize the ‘Duke Curse’, and end UConn’s NCAA Tournament run? We’ll know on Saturday when they face the Illinois Fighting Illini at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
UConn’s Braylon Mullins Revealed his Recruitment Pitch
Braylon Mullins etched his name in March Madness and UConn history with his game-winning shot against the Duke Blue Devils. What made it even more special was that he helped the Huskies advance to the Final Four and how it ties to his recruitment pitch.
After the game, Mullins told the reporters that UConn guaranteed him a trip to Indianapolis for the Final Four when they were trying to recruit him.
“When I was recruited, that was the pitch, ‘We’re gonna take you to Indy.’ And that was kind of a wrap-up moment for my official visit when I took a visit to UConn. So, in a way, I always knew in the back of my head,” he said.
Not only did UConn deliver on the promise, but it was Mullins who helped make it a reality.
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