Duke put on an offensive masterclass on Saturday night, delivering a crushing 110-67 victory over Illinois. Freshman Isaiah Evans led the way, scoring 17 points in just 18 minutes off the bench. The win solidified Duke’s dominance, and it went down as the most lopsided loss in Illinois basketball history.
Isaiah Evans Ignites Duke’s Fan With a Record-Breaking Blowout
With seven players reaching double figures and a relentless attack on both ends of the floor, the No. 3-ranked Blue Devils proved why they remain one of the top teams in the country. Among the many standout performances of the night, Evans’ sharp shooting caught the attention of both fans and analysts.
The ACC Network’s X page highlighted his performance by posting a video showcasing his impressive shooting display.
ISAIAH EVANS IS ON FIRE 🔥
5-6 from deep in the first half for the freshman! @DukeMBB pic.twitter.com/xgGRyg7rFb
— ACC Network (@accnetwork) February 26, 2025
Fans quickly took to social media to share their reactions, with one comment stating: “He is going to be a problem in the NBA.”
“Isaiah Evans is unstoppable! 5-6 from three in the first half? Pure shooter,” someone else stated.
“Drilled it from deep!” another comment read.
“Isaiah Evans for the Dukes, is he the best of Freshman BB?” someone else commented with a question.
Duke’s offensive game plan was executed to near perfection, as seven players reached double-digit scoring figures in the decisive win. Kon Knueppel added 15 points, further emphasizing the team’s depth and ability to spread the ball efficiently.
The Blue Devils established complete control of the game early, racing to a commanding 23-point lead by halftime. Their offensive efficiency and defensive pressure left Illinois with no chance of mounting a comeback.
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The 110 points Duke recorded marked their highest scoring output since a dominant 113-49 victory over Stetson in December 2018.
Duke’s ability to distribute scoring across multiple players demonstrated the depth of their roster. The team’s offensive execution, combined with defensive resilience, ensured that Illinois never had an opportunity to challenge its authority.
The sheer dominance displayed throughout the game sent a strong message to their upcoming opponents.
Isaiah Evans Draws Praise for His Three-Point Shooting
Evans’ ability to impact the game off the bench has been increasingly evident in recent weeks. His strong play has provided Duke with an additional scoring option and a much-needed spark in key moments.
As Duke prepares for its next game against Miami, head coach Jon Scheyer spoke about the freshman’s development.
“Man, I could talk forever about Isaiah, how proud I am of him,” Scheyer said during Monday’s ACC media teleconference. “He’s never been hesitant to shoot in his life. He’s got supreme confidence with that.”
Beyond his offensive contributions, Evans has also made significant strides on the defensive end. His improvement in strength, footwork, and overall defensive positioning has not gone unnoticed by his coaching staff. Scheyer emphasized this growth, stating:
“The thing that he’s done, though, he’s become a really good defender. He’s gotten stronger — the work that he’s done in the weight room — his ability to move his feet, his rebounding, his positioning.”
Evans’ recent shooting surge saw him go 8-for-11 from beyond the arc in back-to-back victories over Syracuse and Illinois. Before this stretch, he had never recorded double-digit points in consecutive games as a Blue Devil.
His breakout moment earlier in the season came when he drained six three-pointers to propel Duke to a statement victory over then-No. 1 Auburn.
Scheyer continued to highlight Evans’ all-around abilities, calling him a “two-way, big-time wing.” The freshman currently averages 7.0 points and 1.1 rebounds per game while shooting a team-best 45.8% from three-point range.
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“When he’s in there, I have full confidence in what he’s doing. I think the offense is clear. But on the defensive end, the growth that he’s made has been, you know, really incredible.”
Following their dominant performance against Illinois, Duke will now shift its focus to a road matchup against Miami. The Blue Devils, boasting a 24-3 overall record and a 15-1 mark in ACC play, will look to extend their winning streak to five games when they face the Hurricanes on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
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