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

Seven different Blue Devils finished in double-digits as Duke impressed the Madison Square Garden crowd in a win over Illinois

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.

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.

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.