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?

Flagg was a key factor in No. 3 Duke's 110-67 pounding of the Illini on Saturday at the World's Most Famous Arena

In the heart of Manhattan on a Big Apple Saturday night, the third-ranked Blue Devils took ownership of Madison Square Garden, giving Illinois a 110-67 beating. In the first half alone, Duke scored 54 points — the best mark of its season so far.

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.

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

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.