CBS
Beloved college basketball announcer and formed head coach Bill Raftery has seen everything in 30-plus years of March Madness. Sunday night’s incredible finish between the Duke Blue Devils and UConn Huskies, however, nearly finished him.
A video of Blll Raftery’s reaction to UConn freshman Braylon Mullins hitting a 40-foot 3-point with just 0.4 seconds remaining to send the Huskies to the Final Four has been going viral on social media given his stunned reaction, with the most popular tweet joking that “we almost lost” him.
College basketball announcer Bill Raftery had a hilariously stunned reaction to UConn’s game-winning shot against Duke
Here’s another view.
Unapologetically.
Cannot get enough. pic.twitter.com/gOvzP6sbLx
— Big East Rewind & Hoops 24/7 (@bigeastrewind) March 30, 2026
WE ALMOST LOST BILL RAFTERY pic.twitter.com/vcflTaUWwM
— Bobby Reagan (@BarstoolReags) March 30, 2026
Fellow longtime college basketball media personality Jay Bilas got in on the fun as well.
Bill Raftery has this exact same reaction when he hears “last call” at any bar. https://t.co/FJBUOctirt
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) March 30, 2026
UConn trailed top-seeded Duke by as many as 19 points in the second half before completing oe of the most electric comebacks in NCAA Tournament history.
With 10 seconds left and Duke leading by just 2-points, Cayden Boozer tried to advance the ball through a double-team that would have effectively ended the game, but the pass was deflected and stolen by Mullins.
Mullins then pushed it ahead to Alex Karaban, who returned the ball to him with just a few seconds remaining. With no other options remaming, Mullins launched a three-pointer from the edge of the center-court logo with 0.3 seconds left and drilled it, securing a 73-72 win for UConn.
In addition to UConn, the 2026 Final Four will also feature the University of Arizona, the University of Illinois, and the University of Michigan. The Huskies will take on the Fighting Illini in the first semi-final on Saturday, April 4, followed by the Wildcats against the Wolverines a few hours later.
The Wildcats and Wolverines are currently co-favorites to win this year’s tournament with odds of +175, while Illinois (+400) and UConn (+550) are considered the underdogs.