What in the world was Duke doing at the end of that Elite 8 game against UConn? My goodness, it looked like the Blue Devils were trying to throw the game during a total collapse late in the second half.
Duke led by 15 at halftime, 44-29, and that is now the largest halftime lead in tournament history blown by a No. 1 seed. Duke also led by double-digits for most of the second half.
Duke committed four turnovers in the final two minutes of play. For the game, the Blue Devils committed 13 turnovers, and UConn scored 20 points off those miscues.
Of course, it took a very long, desperation three-point basket by Braylon Mullins with 0.4 seconds left to give UConn the astonishing 73-72 victory, but Duke made so many mistakes when in fact they could have put the game away minutes earlier.
The worst of the mistakes is what set up Mullins’ opportunity at a game winning shot. Duke inbounded the ball to Cameron Boozer, who passed out of a double team to Dame Sarr, who then found Cameron’s twin brother, Cayden Boozer, in the middle of the court. Instead of waiting to be fouled, Cayden Boozer tried to pass the ball into the forecourt to one of his teammates. However, three UConn players applied pressure and Boozer’s pass was deflected by Silas Demary Jr. and that set up the game winning play for the Huskies.
That is what March Madness is all about. Big plays and big upsets, but Duke let this one slip away.
OILERS WIN IFL SEASON OPENER
The Tulsa Oilers Indoor Football League team opened the 2026 season on the road at San Antonio on Sunday, and defeated the Gunslingers, 29-22.
Tulsa took an early lead with a 16-yard field goal by Bailey Hale with 0:35 left in the first quarter. The Oilers then extended their lead late in the second quarter when Spencer Tears caught a seven-yard touchdown pass in the end zone, putting Tulsa ahead, 10-0.
The Gunslingers responded with a touchdown with 0:05 remaining in the first half, but then Hale kicked a 28-yard field goal in the final moment of the half, giving the Oilers a 13-7 lead at halftime.
With 6:12 left in the third quarter, Kevin Thurmon Jr. recovered a fumble by San Antonio’s quarterback, Joaquin Collazo, in the endzone for a defensive touchdown to make it 19-7. Tulsa failed the two-point conversion attempt.
San Antonio added eight points in the third to keep the game close, 19-15, heading into the fourth quarter.
Tulsa extended its lead to 26-15 with a 45-yard touchdown pass from TJ Edwards to Tripp Harrington.
San Antonio cut the Oilers’ lead to four points, 26-22, before Hale finished the scoring with his third field goal of the game and second from 16 yards.
DRILLERS OPEN SEASON
The 2026 Texas League season begins tonight as the Tulsa Drillers host the San Antonio Missions in a three-game series. Tonight’s game begins at 6:30 p.m., then Friday and Saturday game times are 7:00 p.m. There will be postgame fireworks shows following the games on Thursday and Friday night. The first 2,000 fans will receive a Drillers hoodie.
Following this weekend’s homestand, the Drillers will be on the road for a week at Springfield and return home for a six-game series against Arkansas, April 14-19.
TULSA BEACON RADIO
Tune in to “Tulsa Beacon Weekend” radio show every week, featuring interviews with local and national guests, talking about everything from politics to family issues. This week, my guest will be Mark Lewandowski, CEO of PDC Rx, a local business that provides hospice Pharmacy Benefits Management. The show airs on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. CST on 970am KCFO.