Duke basketball recorded its all-time largest victory in Madison Square Garden via Saturday night's 110-67 win over the Illinois Fighting Illini (17-11, 9-8 Big Ten). Third-year head coach Jon Scheyer's No. 3-ranked Blue Devils improved to 24-3 overall and 15-1 in ACC play.

The moment hit as one would expect for walk-on guard Spencer Hubbard of the third-ranked Duke Blue Devils. On the biggest of college basketball stages at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night he nailed a step-back 3-pointer in Duke’s rout of Illinois in the final minute that put the stamp on the 110-67 blowout win.

Saturday's game against Duke was, on paper, a great idea for Illinois. It was a rare opportunity to play in Madison Square Garden against the biggest brand in college basketball. Who could pass that up?

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

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.

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.

Seven players finished in double figures for Duke, led by Isaiah Evans (17 points) and Flagg. Kon Knueppel logged 15 points, Khaman Maluach had 13, Tyrese Proctor and Caleb Foster scored 12 each, and Sion James tallied 11. That's the first time seven Duke players have finished in double figures since 2017.

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.