Cayden Boozer praised for what he did after Duke’s Elite Eight loss to UConn

The Duke Blue Devils’ season ended in about as heartbreaking fashion as one could’ve imagined.

As time expired, UConn’s Braylon Mullins nailed a 35-foot 3-pointer to hand the Huskies a 73-72 win in the Elite Eight and send the Blue Devils home just shy of reaching back-to-back Final Fours.

Mullins’ game-winner was possible thanks to a Cayden Boozer turnover with six seconds left in the game as Silas Demary Jr. came up with the steal.

After the game, Boozer admitted he felt that he let his team down in the waning seconds. And while he may or may not be justified in those feelings, many applauded Boozer for standing in front of reporters, answering questions about his gaffe, and taking it on the chin.

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“I’ve seen many pro athletes and coaches in similar situations decline to take questions from the media, and frankly I don’t blame them,” noted basketball insider Seth Davis said. “Cayden Boozer is a college freshman and handled this with incredible grace and professionalism. Much respect to him and his family. He was raised well.”

“I have such respect for this kid,” SiriusXM host Brian Geltzeiler wrote. “Sat there and answered questions earnestly and took accountability, maybe too much. Gonna root for him going forward and @MisterCBooz and the rest of their family should be incredibly proud.”

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“Cayden Boozer put the blame on his shoulders for the final turnover and loss,” WRAL’s Pat Welter acknowledged. “Not easy for a freshman to stand and face the media after a loss like that, but he did it with class and literally blood on his shirt. Impressive kid. He will have his moment of redemption. #duke.”

“Just left the Duke locker room,” Duke on SI’s Matt Giles stated. “Whew, that was tough. Here is Cayden Boozer’s initial reaction before the media became silent in giving him a break for a minute. Give Cayden Boozer credit for owning his mistakes and not hiding from the pain. Feel for this young man.💔👿🏀🗣⬇️.”

“Respect to Cayden for standing up there and facing the media as a freshman after that Most grown men wouldn’t do that. Kid’s gonna be a problem for years, this loss will fuel him,” one fan posted.

“You were thrown into the fire in the height of the season, stepping up to replace an experienced Caleb Foster and you handled it like a warrior for a freshman. You gave this game your blood, sweat, and tears. That one play doesn’t define you or the outcome. Real fans and hoopers know how hard you worked all season in the trenches with your brothers. Losses like this sting because you care,” another fan added.

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