NFL star calls for Cayden Boozer investigation after Duke's Elite Eight loss

The final Elite Eight game of the Men’s NCAA Tournament on Sunday provided an exciting finish. UConn vs Duke was supposed to be a competitive matchup, but no one watching the first half was prepared for what would happen in the final ten seconds.

With Duke up 72-70 and inbounding the ball, most everyone watching expected Duke to run out the clock or face free throws as both teams were in the bonus. What happened next started off as clinical execution and developed into one of the biggest mistakes in NCAA Tournament history.

The baseline inbounds pass went to Cam Boozer, who was immediately trapped by two UConn defenders. Boozer passes it back to the inbounder, who then passes it to Cam’s brother, Cayden Boozer, who was then trapped near half court.

At this point there are two options. A bounce pass to either Duke teammates camped out on the opposing elbows of the far three-point line or let UConn foul. Instead, Cayden opts to pass over the top, which was deflected and then stolen by Braylon Mullins. Two seconds later, Mullins hits a logo three to take the lead with 0.04 seconds remaining. UConn wins.

Packers’ linebacker Micah Parsons wants an investigation

Frustration is common this time of year in college basketball. The NCAA Tournament is the draw for fans because of the potential for upsets. Higher-seeded teams lose, losing teams come back, to speak nothing of the Valparaiso’s and George Mason’s of the Tournament’s history.

Packers’ All Pro linebacker Micah Parson took to twitter after the game  to make an almost alarming claim.

This needs to be investigated bro ! I can’t lie I’m raging rn! https://t.co/IczkDOFzRk

Parsons at no point revealed who needs to be investigated or why he thinks an investigation should be done, but there is really only one conclusion to make. It was a bad play and an even worse decision by Cayden Boozer at that moment. 

Parsons seems to be hinting at a rare concept. The idea that a spectator is demanding an investigation for a bad play feels only as old as legalized wagering. His comment seems to originate from the same logic by fans yelling at players about ruining their parlay. When Chris Webber called a timeout Michigan didn’t have in the waning moments against Duke in a national championship game 33 years ago, very few people made the assertion Parsons has tonight.

To keep this professional, perhaps Parsons was rooting for Duke like he went to college there (he didn’t). If that’s all it is, then his investigation and raging comment is at the bare minimum an overreaction. However, a quick review of the comments under his tweet would suggest that most people are questioning his motivation behind this tweet. 

Historical context

Duke found itself on the wrong side of history. This season Duke was undefeated when leading by at least 15 at halftime. UConn's deficit was exactly that at halftime. In the history of the tournament, No. 1 seeds are 134-1 in that scenario. The only team to lose after a 15+ halftime lead is the 2026 Duke Blue Devils.

UConn was down as much as 19 in this game, but they clawed their way back. It wasn’t even that strange. They fought back the way Dan Hurley teams play. Early they were living by the three and they were not falling. Before Mullins big moment, UConn had begun making threes. They were getting turnovers and capitalizing on those turnovers. They played sound basketball at the latter end of the second half.

More: Duke's Jon Scheyer reacts to tough UConn loss: 'I don't have the words for you'

The UConn comeback is not illogical for anyone watching the game. The frustration comes in knowing the right decision in that final moment wins Duke the game. However, the absence of the right decision is not cause for an investigation or whatever else Parsons is suggesting happened in that play. Furthermore, what he seems to be saying is a bold if not dangerous accusation.  

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