Seven different Blue Devils finished in double-digits as Duke impressed the Madison Square Garden crowd in a win over Illinois

On Saturday night, college basketball will be treated to something that was commonplace for decades but has become the exception to the rule over the past 15-or-so years: a marquee February nonconference game between two high-major programs.

Despite Duke basketball’s dominance, Cooper Flagg and the third-ranked Blue Devils accomplished a first on Saturday night by annihilating Illinois at Madison Square Garden in New York City. After losing its first two neutral-site games to Kentucky and Kansas,

Here's what to know about Duke basketball's neutral-site, non-conference game against Illinois, Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York.

No. 3 Duke men’s basketball is in Madison Square Garden for a marquee nonconference matchup against Illinois. After 20 minutes of play, the Blue Devils hold a significant 54-37 lead.

Illinois (17-10) has unquestionably had Saturday's date with No. 3 Duke (23-3) at New York City's Madison Dquare Garden circled on the calendar since the 2024-25 schedule was finalized. And to hear Blue Devils coach Jon Scheyer tell it, his program has shared a similar sentiment.

The 3rd-ranked Duke Blue Devils and the Illinois Fighting Illini take breaks from conference play to head to the Big Apple on Saturday night for the 2025 SentinelOne Classic.

Duke basketball and Illinois will play this weekend at Madison Square Garden. Here's why, along with a look at the Blue Devils' history at MSG.