Duke basketball recorded its all-time largest victory in Madison Square Garden via Saturday night's 110-67 win over the Illinois Fighting Illini (17-11, 9-8 Big Ten). Third-year head coach Jon Scheyer's No. 3-ranked Blue Devils improved to 24-3 overall and 15-1 in ACC play.

Saturday's game against Duke was, on paper, a great idea for Illinois. It was a rare opportunity to play in Madison Square Garden against the biggest brand in college basketball. Who could pass that up?

The moment hit as one would expect for walk-on guard Spencer Hubbard of the third-ranked Duke Blue Devils. On the biggest of college basketball stages at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night he nailed a step-back 3-pointer in Duke’s rout of Illinois in the final minute that put the stamp on the 110-67 blowout win.

Here's what to know about Duke basketball's neutral-site, non-conference game against Illinois, Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York.

On Saturday night, college basketball will be treated to something that was commonplace for decades but has become the exception to the rule over the past 15-or-so years: a marquee February nonconference game between two high-major programs.

Seven players finished in double figures for Duke, led by Isaiah Evans (17 points) and Flagg. Kon Knueppel logged 15 points, Khaman Maluach had 13, Tyrese Proctor and Caleb Foster scored 12 each, and Sion James tallied 11. That's the first time seven Duke players have finished in double figures since 2017.

Saturday's Illinois-Duke matchup in New York City was meant to be a priming of the pump, a get-ready non-conference interlude that would allow both teams to get a feel for an NCAA Tournament environment and competition.

A Saturday night showdown between Duke and Illinois featured plenty of future NBA talent, but it was Cooper Flagg who shined the brightest on the big stage.

Duke basketball and Illinois will play this weekend at Madison Square Garden. Here's why, along with a look at the Blue Devils' history at MSG.