Illinois (17-10) has unquestionably had Saturday's date with No. 3 Duke (23-3) at New York City's Madison Dquare Garden circled on the calendar since the 2024-25 schedule was finalized. And to hear Blue Devils coach Jon Scheyer tell it, his program has shared a similar sentiment.

Duke junior forward Maliq Brown is sidelined with a dislocated shoulder he suffered during the Blue Devils’ 80-62 win at Virginia on Monday night.