Cooper Flagg's Performance Leads Duke Blue Devil to Major Win Over Illinois Fighting Illini

A new era of Blue Devil dominance is upon us, and it's led by a player drawing comparisons to everyone from Jayson Tatum to a young LeBron. This past Saturday, at the Mecca of basketball, Madison Square Garden, Duke didn't just win, they put on a show that would make even the Globetrotters blush, dismantling the Illinois Fighting Illini 110-67 in a performance for the ages. Think of it as a basketball equivalent of a Kanye concert crashing a Lollapalooza headline set
The buzz surrounding Cooper Flagg, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, was deafening heading into the Sentinel One Classic. And while Flagg delivered, showcasing his dazzling array of skills with 16 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, including a couple of dunks that nearly took the roof off the Garden, this Duke victory was far from a one-man show.
Under the tutelage of Jon Scheyer, who is proving to be a worthy successor to Coach K, the Blue Devils unleashed a balanced attack that left Illinois reeling. Sion James, not known for his long-range prowess, channeled his inner Steph Curry, nailing two early three-pointers. Tyrese Proctor and Isaiah Evans sliced and diced through the Illini defense, combining for 20 points. Even future draft picks Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach contributed.

Duke's defense was a suffocating force, holding Illinois to a dismal 2-for-26 from beyond the arc. This was a team that averaged nearly ten three-pointers a game, completely neutralized by Duke’s relentless pressure. Questions about Duke's strength of schedule in the ACC and earlier losses to Kentucky and Kansas were emphatically answered. This team has evolved. They've gelled. They've found their identity. They’re not just a collection of talented individuals, they're a team, playing with a purpose.
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If Saturday night was any indication, that purpose is to cut down the nets in San Antonio. The message is clear: the Duke Blue Devils are back, and they’re coming for the crown.