Duke’s Dominant Performance Against Illinois Sends a Message
The Duke Blue Devils showcased their dominance beyond the ACC with a commanding 110–67 victory over Illinois. Despite facing a highly rated opponent, Duke controlled every aspect of the game from start to finish.
The game, arranged by head coach Jon Scheyer to simulate an NCAA Tournament atmosphere, demonstrated Duke’s ability to dominate high-level competition. Illinois, once considered a Final Four contender, struggled due to injuries and illness, but Duke’s performance was nonetheless impressive. The Blue Devils executed flawlessly, recording 28 assists to just six turnovers and outrebounding Illinois significantly. Their three-point shooting was equally efficient, with 12 makes from deep, including key contributions from the bench.
Freshman star Cooper Flagg, considered one of the nation’s top players, had a relatively quiet night by his standards, finishing with 16 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. However, Duke’s depth proved crucial, with fellow freshman Kon Knueppel stepping up aggressively on offense.
With just a few regular-season games remaining, Duke looks poised for a deep NCAA Tournament run. Their ability to dominate without relying solely on Flagg makes them a formidable challenge for any opponent in March Madness.
