New York, NY— Duke delivered a dominant performance at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night, cruising past Illinois 110-67 in one of the most decisive victories in program history. The Blue Devils, ranked No. 3 in the nation, showcased their depth and firepower, with seven players scoring in double digits in front of sold out crowd.
Freshman sensation Cooper Flagg, expected to be the top pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, made an impact with 16 points, seven boards, and five assists in just over 23 minutes on the court.
However, it was Isaiah Evans who led the charge, pouring in 17 points off the bench in only 18 minutes. Kon Knueppel added 15 points, helping Duke (24-3) reach its highest scoring total since a 113-49 rout of Stetson in December 2018.
Duke wasted no time seizing control, establishing a 23-point lead in the first half and never looking back. The blowout marked the most lopsided loss in Illinois history, a tough setback for the Fighting Illini (17-11), who have struggled in recent weeks.
Tre White led Illinois with 16 points, while Kasparas Jakucionis contributed 14 in the nonconference matchup between two teams that made deep NCAA Tournament runs last season.
Key Takeaways:
Illinois: The Fighting Illini have hit a rough patch, dropping their third consecutive game. Hampered by injuries and illness, including the absence of forward Morez Johnson Jr., Illinois has struggled after a promising 12-3 start. Their recent losses have come against top-ranked teams, with an average margin of defeat of 26 points.
Duke: The Blue Devils continue to strengthen their case for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Their defensive prowess was on full display, even without defensive specialist Maliq Brown, who dislocated his left shoulder earlier in the week against Virginia. Duke’s ability to limit Illinois’ scoring and dominate on both ends underscores their championship potential.
Pivotal Moment:
After a quiet first half marred by early foul trouble, Flagg energized the crowd with a powerful fast-break dunk to open the second half. He followed it up with another highlight-reel jam minutes later, sending the Duke faithful in the sold-out crowd of 19,812 into a frenzy.
By the Numbers:
Illinois struggled mightily from beyond the arc, missing its first 17 three-point attempts and finishing just 2-for-26 from deep. The team’s cold shooting night sealed their fate early as Duke continued to build an insurmountable lead.
What’s Next
Illinois: The Fighting Illini return to Big Ten action Tuesday night when they host Iowa.
Duke: The Blue Devils hit the road to face Miami on Tuesday night in ACC play.
