Illinois
Duke basketball vs Illinois: Score prediction, scouting report for New York City game
Duke basketball’s Jon Scheyer talks Maliq Brown injury, Illinois game
During a Zoom call on Thursday afternoon, Duke basketball coach Jon Scheyer discussed Maliq Brown’s injury and the Blue Devils game vs. Illinois.
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.
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.
Illinois
Cash App parent company agrees to $45 million settlement with Illinois, 44 other states
Illinois will get $1.1 million of a $45 million, 45-state settlement with money transfer app Cash App’s parent company, which was accused of misleading customers about the app’s security.
Block Inc. will face $55 million in civil penalties and also have to pay customers nationwide somewhere from $75 million to $120 million as part of the settlement, which includes the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
In a statement, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said the settlement holds the company accountable and requires it to “change its harmful practices.”
“Block told Cash App users their money was safe and falsely implied that the app worked like a bank, with the same protections,” Raoul said. “Block was aware that fraud on its platform was rising sharply and failed to warn users, strengthen protections or provide real help to users when things went wrong.”
A company spokesperson confirmed the settlement and said the company has made “significant investments in consumer protection, customer service, and compliance.”
“We share the commitment of the attorneys general to addressing industry challenges and continue to invest in operations and technology to promote a safe and healthy financial ecosystem,” the spokesperson said in a statement provided to the Sun-Times Wednesday night.
The lawsuit accused the company of not preventing fraud, and even of having systems that made it easier to commit that fraud. Minimal identity verification allowed someone to create fake or multiple accounts, and the company had no phone support line. Instead, customers who had been defrauded often were provided by those fraudsters with fake online customer support phone numbers, the suit alleged.
As part of the agreement, the company must offer at least 13.5 hours of human-staffed phone lines per day as part of 24-hour support, as well as reimburse customers for fraudulent transactions, stop marketing the app as safe and educate users about the dangers of fraud.
Illinois
Illinois girl, 8, dies after being struck by lightning
SERENA, Ill. – An 8-year-old girl has died after she was struck by lightning while outside in the backyard of her home in LaSalle County over the Fourth of July weekend.
Girl killed by lightning strike
What we know:
The LaSalle County Coroner’s office said it was called to emergency department at OSF St. Elizabeth Hospital in Ottawa on the evening of July 3 after the child was brought in following the lightning strike.
A forensic autopsy was conducted on Sunday. Preliminary findings determined the girl died from injuries caused by the lightning strike.
What we don’t know:
Officials have not yet released the child’s identity.
The incident remains under investigation by the LaSalle County Coroner’s Office and the LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office.
The Source: The information in this report came from the LaSalle County Coroner’s Office.
Illinois
Lake Geneva boat accident, 3 kids drowned; Illinois school district responds
LAKE GENEVA, Wis. – We’re learning more about the victims in Friday’s tragedy on Geneva Lake.
Three kids, ages 10, seven, and six, were killed after they were trapped in the sinking boat during the severe storms.
Officials won’t comment on their identities, but FOX6 learned at least two of them were students at the Community Unit School District 200 (CUSD 200) in Wheaton, Illinois.
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The district released a statement, saying:
“On behalf of Community Unit School District 200, our deepest condolences are with the family and friends of the children who died in a tragic boating incident in Lake Geneva on July 3. We ask that you join us in supporting these families during this difficult time, and keep them in your thoughts as we all cope with this incredible loss.”
Lake Geneva Police Chief statement
What we know:
The City of Lake Geneva Police Department is opening up on the incident and the property destruction caused by the storms.
The police chief says, in part:
“In moments of tragedy, we often see the very best in people, and that has certainly been true here. While there is still healing ahead, I hope everyone knows how grateful we are for the outpouring of support shown over these past several days. It has been humbling to witness and a reminder that no one faces hardship alone when a community stands together.”
–Chief Ed Gritzner, City of Lake Geneva Police Department
The backstory:
Walworth County experienced what law enforcement described as a “sudden and severe” storm on July 3. The National Weather Service said it created a downburst with peak winds estimated at 90–100 mph.
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The storm downed hundreds of trees and power lines, damaged several buildings and created hazardous boating conditions on Geneva Lake. One boat with 10 people on board overturned and ultimately sank.
Six adults and one child were rescued from the water, while three of the kids were missing when emergency responders got there. Those three children were found and later died despite life-saving attempts.
Emergency response on Geneva Lake after storms lead to calls for water rescue on July 3, 2026.
Who was on the boat?
The latest:
The three children who died have been identified as a 10-year-old girl, a 7-year-old girl and a 6-year-old boy.
The boat operator was a 47-year-old man. The other passengers were a 75-year-old man, a 73-year-old woman, a 49-year-old woman, a 46-year-old man, a 44-year-old woman and a 12-year-old boy.
The group included residents of Fontana, as well as residents of Batavia and Wheaton, Illinois. All four kids were wearing properly fitted life jackets, according to law enforcement.
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What happened on Geneva Lake?
Dig deeper:
Law enforcement said the boat operator had “extensive boating experience” and was unable to find safe harbor when the storm hit. At least two large waves broke over the bow, causing it to take on water. Another wave hit the side of the boat, causing it to roll, capsize and sink.
The sunken vessel was found in 32 feet of water, and three children were found inside the boat. Divers were able to get them out and bring them to the surface, and they were pronounced dead despite life-saving attempts. Investigators determined they had no external injuries and drowned.
What’s next:
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Geneva Lake Law Enforcement Agency are still conducting a joint investigation into the accident. Eleven other agencies assisted with the immediate needs.
The Source: Information in this post comes from the City of Lake Geneva Police Department and Community Unit School District 200 (CUSD 200), along with prior
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