Duke basketball and Illinois will meet in a March Madness-like matchup at Madison Square Garden on Saturday (8 p.m., FOX).

In a unique late-season nonconference game, the third-ranked Blue Devils (23-3, 15-1 ACC) and the Fighting Illini (17-10, 9-8) have the opportunity to add an impressive win to their NCAA Tournament résumés.

Two of Duke’s three losses happened in neutral-court settings, with the Blue Devils losing to Kentucky in Atlanta before dropping a game against Kansas in Las Vegas. Illinois is 2-1 in neutral-site games, losing to Alabama in Birmingham before beating Arkansas in Kansas City and Missouri in St. Louis. 

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Duke has a 5-3 record against the Illini, with all five wins coming on a neutral court. Here are some things to know and a score prediction for the Blue Devils’ game against Illinois.

Cooper Flagg, Kasparas Jakucionis in New York City spotlight as star freshmen for Duke, Illinois

Two of the best freshmen — and players — in the nation will be under the New York City lights inside Madison Square Garden. Duke’s Cooper Flagg, the favorite to win national player of the year and the projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, had 26 points and 11 rebounds the last time he played in an NBA arena. After losing late in tough neutral-site games against Kentucky in Atlanta and Kansas in Vegas, Flagg will be fired up to produce at an arena he’ll become quite familiar with as an NBA player. 

Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis, a 6-foot-6 Lithuanian, is coming off a seven-turnover game at Wisconsin. Despite his recent struggles, Jakucionis has thrived in the Fighting Illini’s two neutral-site wins, averaging 22 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists in wins against Arkansas and Missouri. Expect a show from Jakucionis and Flagg at MSG. 

Maliq Brown shoulder injury means more Mason Gillis for Duke basketball vs Illinois

On Thursday afternoon, Duke coach Jon Scheyer announced that Maliq Brown would be out for a “few weeks” because of a left shoulder injury. With Brown out, we could see a lot more of Mason Gillis. As a Purdue transfer, Gillis is familiar with the Fighting Illini and he has the most experience of anyone on Duke’s roster. In a matchup between the tallest roster in the nation (Duke) against the 13th-tallest roster (Illinois), Gillis gives the Devils some versatility as a knock-down shooter and defender capable of switching everything. Last season with the Boilermakers, Gillis averaged 9 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists in two wins against Illinois. 

Rebounding for Blue Devils, Fighting Illini 

Rebounding could be the determining factor in Saturday’s game. Illinois is second in the nation in rebounding margin (plus-10.1) and Duke sits at 10th with a margin of plus-8.2. With the Fighting Illini losing Morez Johnson to wrist injury, Illinois figures to have a tougher time matching the Blue Devils in the battle on the boards. Duke has outrebounded three straight opponents, including a 20-rebound advantage against Virginia. Illinois has been outrebounded in back-to-back games, including by nine boards at Wisconsin. If Duke continues to assert its dominance on the glass, it makes the Devils even more dangerous as March gets closer. 

Duke vs Illinois score prediction 

Duke 77, Illinois 69: The Fighting Illini are dealing with injuries and illness, but this will be a good non-ACC test for the Blue Devils. Cooper Flagg will create another memorable game for Blue Devil fans at “Cameron North” and Duke will win its first neutral-site game of the season.

Rodd Baxley covers Duke, North Carolina and N.C. State for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding those teams? Send them to rbaxley@fayobserver.com.