New York, NY– The Duke Blue Devils traveled up to New York and made a statement at the world’s greatest arena, in the city that doesn’t sleep. Duke sang Illinois a lullaby they may need time to recover from when Cooper Flagg dropped 16, along with 7 rebounds and 5 assists in his Madison Square Garden debut for the Blue Devils.
The Blue Devils had 7 players in double figures as they marched all over the fighting Illini in a lopsided beating. Flagg, a freshman star expected to be the top pick in this year’s NBA draft already showing he can excel in an NBA arena.
2/22/25 New York, NY MSG| Cooper Flagg posting up on Illinois down low in the post. Mandatory Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Matthew Last 2/22/25 New York, NY MSG| Isaiah Evans Dunks on Illinois. Mandatory Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Matthew Last 2/22/25 New York, NY MSG| Cooper Flagg Flex’s on Illinois. Mandatory Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Matthew Last 2/22/25 New York, NY MSG| Isaiah Evans Flex’s on Illinois. Mandatory Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Matthew Last 2/22/25 New York, NY Madison Square Garden| Duke Freshman Cooper Flagg dominates the Fighting Iliini and dunks on them. Mandatory Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/ Matthew Last
Tre White had 16 points for Illinois in the non-conference beating, the two programs had reached the Elite Eight last year though tonight Illinois doesn’t look like a team set to repeat last year’s run. Kasparas Jakucionis scored 14 as well in the losing effort for the Fighting Illini.
Notes:
Duke: Eyeing a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, the Blue Devils boast one of the nation’s stingiest defenses. They delivered an outstanding performance on that end of the floor in their first game since defensive stopper Maliq Brown dislocated his left shoulder in Monday’s win at Virginia.
Illinois: Will resume Big Ten play at home Tuesday night against Iowa.
Duke: Will visit Miami on Tuesday night.
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