Kristian Ferrell
The University of Illinois and Duke University have faced off in basketball nine times since the 1986-87 season, with Duke holding a 6-3 advantage in the series. Illinois has managed to beat Duke twice in their home building during coach Mike Krzyzewski's tenure, becoming the only non-ACC team to do so. However, Duke has had some notable victories over Illinois, including a 43-point margin of victory at Madison Square Garden, which was their largest win at that venue.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of the latest match | 22 February 2025 |
| Final score | Duke: 110, University of Illinois: 67 |
| Leading scorer for Duke | Isaiah Evans (17 points) |
| Leading scorer for University of Illinois | Not mentioned |
| Number of wins for Duke | 6 |
| Number of wins for University of Illinois | 3 |
| Venue | Madison Square Garden |
| Previous match score | Duke: 69, University of Illinois: 62 |
| Previous match date | 29 November 1986 |
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What You'll Learn
- Illinois has beaten Duke twice in Duke's home building during coach Mike Krzyzewski's tenure
- Duke has a 5-3 series lead over Illinois
- Duke beat Illinois by 43 points in their largest victory at Madison Square Garden
- Duke's Cooper Flagg put up impressive numbers in his first three career games
- Duke's 2024-25 season has been mixed, but they are likely to make the NCAA Tournament
Illinois has beaten Duke twice in Duke's home building during coach Mike Krzyzewski's tenure
Illinois has defeated Duke University's basketball team twice in Duke's home building during coach Mike Krzyzewski's 42-year tenure. Illinois is the only non-ACC team to have achieved this feat.
Illinois and Duke have faced off nine times since the 1986-87 season, with Duke holding a 5-3 advantage in the series prior to their February 22, 2025, matchup. Duke won this game 110-67, marking their largest victory at Madison Square Garden. This win extended their series lead to 6-3.
Duke's head coach, Mike Krzyzewski, has led the team since 1980, amassing an impressive basketball legacy. Despite their strong record, Illinois holds the distinction of being the only non-ACC team to beat Krzyzewski and the Blue Devils twice in their home building.
One notable player for Duke is Cooper Flagg, who has achieved several milestones in his young career. He is the first Duke player in 40 years to accumulate 50+ points, 25+ rebounds, and 10+ assists in his first three career games. Flagg also became the first ACC player in 25 years to reach 500 points, 100 assists, and 30 blocks in a regular season, showcasing his all-around talent.
The rivalry between Illinois and Duke has produced some memorable moments, with Illinois claiming two victories in Duke's home building during Coach K's tenure, creating a unique piece of history in their matchups.
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Duke has a 5-3 series lead over Illinois
Duke University's basketball team, the Blue Devils, have a long history of success, and this includes a 5-3 series lead over the University of Illinois' team, the Fighting Illini.
The first game between the two teams was played on November 29, 1986, with Duke winning 69-62. The most recent game was played on February 22, 2025, at Madison Square Garden, with Duke winning 110-67. This was the largest margin of victory for Duke in the series and also set a new record for the winning margin at the venue.
Despite this overall series deficit, Illinois holds a notable piece of history over legendary Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski. Illinois is the only non-ACC team to beat Krzyzewski and the Blue Devils twice in Duke's home building during his 42-year tenure. Illinois achieved this feat with wins in 2022 and 2024. The 2024 victory was also Krzyzewski's final season as head coach.
Duke's success in the series is not limited to their home court, as they have won five consecutive neutral site games against Illinois. This includes the 2025 game at Madison Square Garden, which was Duke's 60th game at the venue.
The series has also featured notable individual performances from players on both teams. In the 2024 game, Illinois' Kiwane Garris led all scorers with 19 points in the losing effort. In the 2025 game, Duke's Isaiah Evans led all scorers with 17 points, while Cooper Flagg added 16 points and seven rebounds. Flagg also became the first Duke player in 40 years to amass 50+ points, 25+ rebounds, and 10+ assists in his first three career games.
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Duke beat Illinois by 43 points in their largest victory at Madison Square Garden
Duke University's basketball team, the Blue Devils, defeated the University of Illinois' Fighting Illini by a score of 110-67 on February 22, 2025. This 43-point margin of victory was Duke's largest ever at Madison Square Garden and Illinois' most significant margin of defeat in program history.
The game was the ninth meeting between the two programs, with Duke holding a 6-3 advantage in the all-time series following the win. The Blue Devils led from start to finish, taking a 54-37 lead into halftime. They extended their lead in the second half, outscoring Illinois 56-30 over the final 20 minutes.
Duke's balanced attack saw seven players score in double figures, led by Isaiah Evans' 17 points. Cooper Flagg added 16 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, while Kon Knueppel chipped in with 15 points. Khaman Maluach, Tyrese Proctor, Caleb Foster, and Sion James also scored in double digits for the Blue Devils, who assisted on a season-high 28 baskets as a team.
Illinois, meanwhile, had no answer for Duke's offensive onslaught. Ayo Dosunmu led the Fighting Illini with 18 points in the loss, one of six Illinois players to finish with double-digit points. Despite the lopsided outcome, Illinois had a notable achievement in this series, becoming the only non-ACC team to beat Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski twice in his 42-year tenure at their home building.
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Duke's Cooper Flagg put up impressive numbers in his first three career games
Duke's Cooper Flagg has certainly made a name for himself in his young basketball career. The 6-foot-9 forward, who was born in 2006, made his college basketball debut for the Duke Blue Devils on November 4, 2024, scoring 18 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals in a 96-62 win over Maine. This impressive performance set the tone for his freshman season, where he would go on to lead the Blue Devils in nearly every major statistical category.
In his second game, Flagg recorded his first double-double, with 13 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and three blocks in 25 minutes against Army. He followed this up with another strong performance against Kentucky, where he scored 26 points, which was his career-high at the time. However, it was his fourth game that truly showcased his potential. On January 11, 2025, Flagg had a record-breaking performance against Notre Dame, scoring 42 points, grabbing six rebounds, and dishing out seven assists. This performance not only showcased his offensive prowess but also established him as one of the top freshmen in college basketball.
Flagg continued his impressive form, with notable performances against Boston College (28 points, 5 rebounds), Wake Forest (24 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists), and NC State (28 points, 7 rebounds). By the time he had played 13 games, he was already being hailed as one of college basketball's best players in the 2024-25 season. Flagg's impact extended beyond just his individual performances, as he formed a dynamic duo with fellow freshman Maluach, elevating the Blue Devils' offensive and defensive ratings to impressive levels.
Cooper Flagg's first three career games set the tone for his freshman season, and he quickly became a key contributor to the Duke Blue Devils' success. His impressive numbers and impact on the court solidified his reputation as one of the top young players in college basketball.
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Duke's 2024-25 season has been mixed, but they are likely to make the NCAA Tournament
Duke University's 2024-25 basketball season has been a mixed bag. While they started strong, rising from eleventh to second in the rankings during a sixteen-game winning streak, they suffered a setback with a 77-71 loss to Clemson on February 8, their only ACC loss of the season. However, they bounced back to finish the regular season on an eight-game winning streak, sweeping rivals North Carolina and securing the top rank in the polls.
In the ACC tournament, the Blue Devils continued their winning ways, defeating North Carolina in the Semifinals and Louisville in the Final to claim their twenty-second ACC tournament title. This earned them an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament as a one-seed in the East region. They dominated their first three rounds, defeating Mount St. Mary's, Baylor, and Arizona, before facing Alabama in the Elite Eight. The Blue Devils prevailed in a close contest, 85-65, advancing to the Final Four.
However, their NCAA Tournament run ended in the Final Four with a narrow 70-67 loss to the Midwest region's top seed, Houston. Despite this defeat, Duke finished the season with an impressive 35-4 overall record, indicating a strong performance throughout the year.
Although specific game details are unavailable, it appears that Duke's 2024-25 season was a successful one, with a strong finish in the NCAA Tournament. Their overall record and tournament performance suggest that they are likely to make the NCAA Tournament again in the upcoming season.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Illinois has beaten Duke in basketball. Illinois became the only non-ACC team to beat Mike Krzyzewski and the Blue Devils twice in Duke's home building during his 42-year tenure.
The University of Illinois last beat Duke University on 29 November 1986.
Duke holds a 6-3 win record against Illinois.
