Flagg was a key factor in No. 3 Duke's 110-67 pounding of the Illini on Saturday at the World's Most Famous Arena

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.

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.

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

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.