If you thought Braylon Mullins’ or Bill Raferty’s reaction to Mullins’ game-winning 3-pointer on Sunday was electric, there might have been an even bigger one within Capital One Arena on Sunday.
No, it wasn’t a different UConn player. Or a random fan in the stands. It was Dan Hurley’s mom, Christine.
In one replay angle of Mullins’ shot, the ball hits nylon and the camera zooms in on Christine.
When the ball went in, she raised her hands high and opened her mouth wide in shock. Then, she uttered three distinct words.
“Holy f—king s–t,” Christine exclaimed while standing next to husband Bob, the legendary St. Anthony’s high school coach.
Mullins’ shot and UConn’s stunning win caused the college basketball world to erupt.
With 10 seconds left and a two-point lead, Duke had possession of the ball. Cayden Boozer received a pass around midcourt before trying to lob a pass over two defenders to a teammate in the frontcourt.
His pass was deflected and caught in midair by Mullins, who eventually buried a 3 from the March Madness logo to give UConn a 73-72 lead with 0.4 seconds remaining.
The late advantage came after Duke held a 15-point halftime lead, which grew to as high as 19 in the first half.
Though for the second straight year, the Blue Devils squandered a big lead and exited the tournament before reaching the title game.
Afterward, Hurley didn’t hold back in his celebration. He walked into the locker room with only a towel covering his lower half as his players soaked him with water.
The Huskies’ one-point victory sent them back to the Final Four for the third time in four years.
Under Hurley, who’s helmed UConn for the last eight seasons since 2018-19, the program has made the NCAA Tournament six years in a row.
UConn won back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024, Hurley’s first championships as a head coach.
He has the chance to add another in 2026 and further establish himself as one of the best coaches in the sport.
The Huskies will face No. 3 seed Illinois in the Final Four and the winner of No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 1 Arizona in the national title game, should they make it that far.
And Hurley’s mom will be cheering him along the entire way.