For the third consecutive season, Illinois played at Madison Square Garden. In 2022, the team secured a victory over No. 2 Texas, followed by a win against No. 11 Florida Atlantic in 2023. However, this year’s matchup was a greater challenge—taking on No.

The Duke Blue Devils entered Madison Square Garden on Saturday night for a rare late-season non-conference matchup with a very good Illinois squad as considerable favorites, but even the most optimistic supporters of the Dukies likely didn’t have a 43 point victory on their Bingo card.

Illinois coach Brad Underwood hopes Cooper Flagg stays at Duke another year, and believes he “probably” could make more money in college than in the NBA. The 6-foot-9 Flagg is the presumed No. 1 pick in this year’s NBA Draft and recently expressed a desire to return to college next season,

Cooper Flagg made it known he wants to return to Duke after the year. Illinois head coach Brad Underwood vouched for him to stay in the college.