It's No. 3 Duke vs. Illinois at Madison Square Garden and it's a great bonus to a sensational weekend of college basketball. These kinds of big games outside the rhythm of the hea

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

The final Saturday of February is here and the stakes are high for college basketball teams as they battle for their NCAA Tournament positions, jockey for conference title hopes and try and climb their way up the projected seeding prjections for March Madness.

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.

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.