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Comebacks are part of the college basketball landscape. That doesn't make them any less special -- particularly in March Madness.
Upsets fill the senses with delight. Individual outbursts dazzle the eyes. But rallies linger in the brain long after contests are completed, filling the winning side with delight and the loser with anguish. Such was the case in Duke's Elite Eight defeat to UConn. Jon Scheyer's side opened up a 20-point advantage over its highly-touted opposition in Washington D.C.'s Capital One Arena, looking all but assured of landing a second-straight berth in the Final Four under Jon Scheyer.
But the makes were fleeting. The turnovers too difficult to overcome. As the action fluttered and the Blue Devils winced, the Huskies found life. They found the target, too, whetting the nylon with increasing regularity.
The game was settled on a long-range triple, as so many comebacks are. Braylon Mullens launched a 30-foot prayer from the logo as the clock neared zero. It landed home, prompting hymns from the Huskies faithful that pooled into the D.C. concourses. With his prayer, the Huskies secured one of the largest comebacks in tournament history.
But just where does UConn's turnaround rank in NCAA tourney lore? Here's what you need to know.
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Biggest comebacks in NCAA men's tournament history
UConn's rally proved historic in more ways than one. Not only did it deprive the Blue Devils of a second-straight Final Four appearance -- and add to Duke's growing list of March Madness disappointments. It also saw Dan Hurley's side secure one of the largest comebacks in March Madness history.
Here’s a look at where the Huskies' comeback ranks in tournament lore:
| Rank | Game | Deficit | Year |
| 1 | No. 14 BYU 78, No. 14 Iona 72 | 25 | 2012 |
| 2 | No. 1 Duke 95, No. 3 Maryland 84 | 22 | 2001 |
| No. 7 Nevada 75, No. 2 Cincinnati 73 | 22 | 2018 | |
| 4 | No. 4 Louisville 93, No. 7 West Virginia 85 (OT) | 20 | 2005 |
| No. 1 Ohio State 85, No. 5 Tennessee 84 | 20 | 2007 | |
| 6 | No. 2 UConn 73, No. 1 Duke 72 | 19 | 2026 |
| 7 | No. 3 Seton Hall 95, Duke 78 | 18 | 1989 |
| 8 | No. 2 UCLA 73, No. 3 Gonzaga 71 | 17 | 2006 |
| No. 11 Ole Miss 94, No. 11 BYU 90 | 17 | 2015 | |
| No. 7 Dayton 63, No. 10 Nevada 60 | 17 | 2024 |
What is the biggest comeback in NCAA tournament history?
BYU recorded the largest comeback in tourney history, flipping a 25-point deficit in its 2012 First Four joust with No. 14 Iona.
The Cougars struggled to blight the Gaels in the opening frame of action, surrendering 55 points in the first half. They found their footing in the second, turning things around with a glistening showing to send Iona home.
Other notable NCAA tournament comebacks
No. 1 Duke beats No. 3 Maryland, 95-84 in 2001 Final Four
The Blue Devils and Terrapins were plenty familiar with one another when they met in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in 2001, having already faced off three times prior in the same season. Maryland put forth a splendid first-half display, opening up a 22-point advantage against their intra-conference foe.
That advantage dwindled as Jay Williams, Shane Battier and the Blue Devils hit their stride. By the end of the contest, it was Duke on top, claiming an 11-point win. Two days later, Duke hoisted the national championship, sweeping aside Arizona to take the crown.
No. 7 Nevada beats No. 2 Cincinnati, 75-73 in 2018 second round
Nevada posted the largest second-half comeback in tournament history in its 2018 conquest of Cincinnati, erasing a 22-point deficit to secure its second-ever Sweet 16 appearance.
Future NBAer Cody Martin was the standout, recording 25 points, seven assists and six rebounds to power the Wolfpack's rally.
No. 4 Louisville beats No. 7 West Virginia, 93-85 (OT) in 2005 Elite Eight
Neither the Cardinals nor the Mountaineers appeared likely Final Four candidates prior to the start of the 2005 NCAA tournament. Their paths came together naturally, spitting out a memorable overtime tilt in the Elite Eight.
The Mountaineers pulled out in front early, benefitting from Kevin Pittsnogle's scorching play. Larry O'Bannon and Taquan Dean returned the favor as the match wore on, however, eventually delivering a momentous comeback victory to the Cards.
No. 1 Ohio State beats No. 5 Tennessee, 85-84 in 2007 Sweet 16
The 2007 Buckeyes were a buzzsaw, teeming with NBA talent, including future first-overall pick Greg Oden. That wasn't enough for them to outgun Tennessee, at least not in the first half of their Sweet 16 joust.
Ohio State fell behind by as many as 20 in the affair. With Oden riding the pine due to foul trouble, Thad Motta handed the keys to the Buckeyes' attack to Ron Lewis. The unheralded talent responded with aplomb, pouring in 25 points to power Ohio State's comeback efforts.
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