NCAA Basketball: Overall takeaways from 2020 ACC/Big Ten Challenge

Illinois Fighting Illini – Top-5 talent when keeping composure

This was one of the best team performances I’ve seen so far this season. Ayo Dosunmu had 18 points without doing too much, while five other teammates reached double figures. The only one not part of the main rotation to do that was Adam Miller, yet he made all three of his three-point attempts to contribute as well.

Illinois can play great on both ends of the court and that mini-meltdown against Baylor in the final 10 minutes proved to be more about the Bears greatness instead of the Illini’s weakness. The handling of Duke on their home floor with such efficiency speaks of both talent and maturity for them, a great trait to have as the Big Ten gauntlet awaits.

Duke Blue Devils – Little consistent outside of Matthew Hurt

Hurt’s sophomore breakout campaign continues, scoring a game-high 19 points in this matchup. And while he did get some help from the perimeter with freshmen DJ Steward and Jeremy Roach each scoring 13 points, that was pretty much it. After grabbing headlines with a 19 and 19 opening performance, Jalen Johnson went for just seven points on 3-10 shooting. Sophomore Wendell Moore has seen his playing time dramatically fall, seeing just seven minutes on the court.

That’s the same amount of time as Mark Williams, who got destroyed by Kofi Cockburn at the beginning of the game before not being seen from in the game. With Jaemyn Brakefield, Joey Baker, and Jordan Goldwire proving limited offensive production, the Blue Devils are hoping that Johnson can get it going again, as well as the freshmen guards being more consistent. Otherwise, this will be a Duke team with as little depth that can be imagined for a powerhouse program.