Cayden Boozer is tormented by the fateful turnover that cost Duke the game against UConn: "I ruined the season"

In a moment that perfectly captured the chaos and heartbreak of March basketball, Duke Blue Devils freshman Cayden Boozer found himself at the center of one of the tournament's most dramatic finishes - and he isn't shying away from the responsibility. His error allowed UConn Huskies to seal its place in the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament after a 73-72 victory.

With just 10 seconds remaining in the Elite Eight matchup, Duke held a narrow two-point lead over UConn and appeared on the verge of advancing.

However, a costly inbound turnover from Boozer changed everything. The Huskies capitalized instantly, with Braylon Mullins draining a desperate three-pointer to seal a stunning win and punch UConn's ticket to the Final Four.

Had Boozer maintained possession, Duke likely would have extended the game at the free-throw line and kept its championship hopes alive.

Instead, the sequence will go down as one of the defining moments of the tournament so far - and one the young guard will not soon forget in his short career.

Speaking candidly after the game, the son of former NBA standout Carlos Boozer took full accountability.

"I ruined our team's season," Boozer said to reporters. "That's the best I can put it."

A crushing end after a dominant start

The loss was especially painful given how firmly Duke controlled the game early.

The Blue Devils built a commanding 44-29 lead heading into halftime, showcasing their offensive firepower and defensive intensity.

At one point, they led by as many as 19 points, appearing poised to cruise into the Final Four. But UConn had other plans.

The Huskies mounted a relentless second-half comeback, chipping away at the deficit before setting up the dramatic final sequence.

The victory marks UConn's third Final Four appearance in four years, further cementing its status as a powerhouse program.

Despite the heartbreaking finish, Boozer delivered a solid individual performance, scoring 15 points. His twin brother, Cameron, led Duke with 27 points, while Tarris Reed Jr. paced UConn with 26.

Still, it was Mullins' last-second heroics that ultimately defined the outcome.

Questions surrounding late-game decisions

In the aftermath, attention has also turned toward Duke head coach Jon Scheyer and his late-game strategy.

Some analysts, including Jay Bilas, have questioned the decision to push the ball upcourt rather than secure possession and force UConn to foul.

The criticism reflects a wider pattern that has emerged for Duke in recent tournaments. Last season, Scheyer's squad surrendered a 14-point second-half lead against Houston in the Final Four.

This latest collapse only adds to concerns about closing out high-pressure games, even if Boozer held his hands up for an individual error.

For Boozer, the immediate focus is processing the loss and learning from the experience.

Despite the devastating mistake, he has received support from figures across both the NCAA and NBA, many of whom recognize the resilience required to face the media and accept responsibility so directly.

However, the future of Duke's roster remains uncertain. The program is expected to lose at least one of the Boozer twins to the NBA Draft, potentially marking the end of a brief but impactful era.