By IlliniGuys Staff

February 22, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

NEW YORK, N.Y. - The Illinois basketball team seems to have finally solved their health issues.

That's about the only good news for Illini Nation coming out of New York Saturday night.

3rd ranked Duke put seven players in double figures as they slammed Illinois 110-67 before a sellout crowd at famed Madison Square Garden.

It's the biggest rout in Illini history. And it was ugly from the beginning.

The Illini missed all 16 three-point shots in the first half, at times bypassing wide-open layups to pass out to a shooter on the arc. Meanwhile, Duke operated with precision on offense, recording 14 assists on 18 field goals as they shot 55 percent from the field and 50 percent from three-point in the first half.

The Blue Devils built a 50-27 lead before Illinois closed on a 10-4 run to go into halftime down 54-37.

Duke's star freshman Cooper Flagg managed just one field goal and only six points in the opening period, but the team didn't need his scoring as they posted a near perfect first half, committing just three turnovers. The national player of the year candidate finished with 16 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.

Duke (24-3) was led by Isaiah Evans' 17 points.

Illinois (17-11) was led by 16 points by Tre White. Kasparas Jakucionis added 14, Kylan Boswell 12, and Tomislav Ivisic 10 points. The Illini scored fewer field goals (23) than Duke had assists (28).

Illinois has now lost three straight with three games remaining in the regular season, with a home date against Iowa up next. That's an 8pm CST tipoff on FS1.

Stay with IlliniGuys.com for complete postgame coverage.