The Illini seek to shock the college basketball world and knock off the Blue Devils at MSG . They'll need to rely on their two biggest stars to do just that.

Flagg is expected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. However, the 18-year-old from Newport, Maine, told The Athletic he is open to returning to Duke for another season in the hopes of winning an NCAA championship.

There were examples of Duke basketball's unselfishness in the Blue Devils' 100-point game against Stanford. Neal Begovich and Cooper Flagg explain.

Feb 17, 2025; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Cooper Flagg (2) drives to the basket as Virginia Cavaliers forward Elijah Saunders (2) defends in the first half at John Paul Jones Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images / Geoff Burke-Imagn Images On Monday night, Duke beat Virginia by a score of 80-62.

For over a year now, Cooper Flagg has been considered the consensus number one prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft. Flagg was the No. 1 prospect in the 2025

Cooper Flagg could revitalize men's college basketball if he decides for pass on the NBA Draft, Illinois coach Brad Underwood says

Cooper Flagg is regarded as the No. 1 pick for the 2025 NBA draft. However, the freshman star is in the middle of a major career decision: continue his collegiate basketball at Duke or go pro in the NBA.