Duke Dominates Illinois 110-67 in Historic Madison Square Garden Blowout

NEW YORK — The No. 3 Duke Blue Devils put on an electrifying performance Saturday night, defeating the Illinois Fighting Illini 110-67 at Madison Square Garden. This victory marked the most lopsided loss in Illinois basketball history, surpassing a previous 40-point defeat.

With seven players scoring in double figures, Duke showcased its offensive prowess while extending its winning streak at MSG to eight games. Freshman Cooper Flagg led the Blue Devils with 17 points in just 18 minutes off the bench.

“These guys … they’re playing for themselves, playing for Duke, of course, but most importantly, they’re playing for each other,” head coach Jon Scheyer said postgame. The Blue Devils (24-3) built a commanding 23-point lead in the first half and maintained their momentum throughout the night.

Illinois (17-11) struggled significantly, missing its first 17 attempts from three-point range and finishing the game with a dismal 2-for-26 from beyond the arc. Tre White led the Illini with 16 points, but his efforts were not enough to close the scoring gap.

“We stunk. We didn’t play very well tonight,” Illinois head coach Brad Underwood said after the game. The Illini have now lost three straight games, with the last two defeats coming at the hands of ranked opponents.

Duke’s offensive efficiency was a key factor in the blowout. The team shot 56% from the field, assisting on 28 of their 40 baskets and capitalizing on Illinois’ nine turnovers for 20 points. The Blue Devils also dominated on the boards, securing 16 offensive rebounds for 27 second-chance points.

Flagg, a projected NBA lottery pick, added seven rebounds and five assists, while Kon Knueppel contributed 16 points. Isaiah Evans also posted 17 points, demonstrating the Blue Devils’ depth in scoring.

The turning point came early in the second half when Flagg opened the period with a fast-break dunk, followed by a three-pointer from Knueppel. The Blue Devils began to pull away, eventually extending their lead over 30 points.

Despite a late three-pointer from Tomislav Ivišić, Illinois could not find its rhythm, falling further behind as Duke continued to build on its lead.

Looking ahead, Illinois will resume Big Ten play at home against Iowa on Tuesday, while Duke prepares to face Miami, also on Tuesday.