| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Bob Brannigan (fresh) 4 pts. 4 ast. 3 stl. SG - Jackie Jenkins (fresh) 3 pts. SF - Timothy Swenson (fresh) 5 pts. PF - John Vick (fresh) 3 pts. C - Todd Lax (fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Lawrence Pierce (fresh) 4 pts. 4 ast. SG - Eric Parkerson (fresh) 14 pts. SF - Harry Evans (fresh) PF - Bruce Banks (fresh) 7 pts. 3 reb. 2 stl. C - Anthony Farris (fresh) 2 pts. | |
| 20:00 | Michigan State | Harry Evans inbounds the ball | 37-42 |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (0) | |
| 19:44 | Michigan State | Harry Evans hits a wide open 3pt jumper from straight away on a great pass from Lawrence Pierce | 37-45 |
| 19:23 | Northwestern | Anthony Farris swats the dunk try by John Vick | 37-45 |
| 19:22 | Michigan State | Harry Evans snags the defensive board | 37-45 |
| 19:00 | Michigan State | Bob Brannigan steals it from Eric Parkerson | 37-45 |
| 18:56 | Northwestern | Timothy Swenson slams it home on a nice dish by Bob Brannigan | 39-45 |
| 18:29 | Michigan State | Bruce Banks misses the dunk | 39-45 |
| 18:27 | Michigan State | The offensive rebound goes to Anthony Farris | 39-45 |
| 17:59 | Michigan State | Lawrence Pierce is wide open but clanks a jumper from the left wing | 39-45 |
| 17:57 | Michigan State | Bruce Banks tips it home | 39-47 |
| 17:52 | Northwestern | Timothy Swenson throws a bad pass out of bounds | 39-47 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Walter Matz (PG), Jason Porter (SG), Robert Woo (SF), Nathan Summers (PF), Robert Sutherland (C) Bob Brannigan, Jackie Jenkins, Timothy Swenson, John Vick, Todd Lax | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Adam Stoehr (SG), Alan Carpenter (SF), Teodoro Esposito (PF), Ratko Pilchowski (C) Eric Parkerson, Harry Evans, Bruce Banks, Anthony Farris | |
| 17:25 | Michigan State | Teodoro Esposito misses the runner from the baseline | 39-47 |
| 17:23 | Northwestern | Nathan Summers snags the defensive board | 39-47 |
| 17:08 | Northwestern | Robert Woo clanks a 3pt attempt from the right corner | 39-47 |
| 17:06 | Northwestern | Nathan Summers grabs the offensive board | 39-47 |
| 16:53 | Northwestern | Jason Porter comes up short on the fadeaway from the left wing | 39-47 |
| 16:51 | Northwestern | Robert Sutherland tips it but misses | 39-47 |
| 16:49 | Northwestern | Robert Woo tips it home | 41-47 |
| 16:31 | Michigan State | Lawrence Pierce is wide open but clanks a 3 from the left wing | 41-47 |
| 16:30 | Northwestern | Robert Woo pulls down the rebound | 41-47 |
| 16:26 | Northwestern | Walter Matz misses short on a 3pt shot from the right wing | 41-47 |
| 16:24 | Michigan State | Alan Carpenter grabs the defensive rebound | 41-47 |
| 16:21 | Michigan State | Jason Porter steals it from Alan Carpenter in the backcourt | 41-47 |
| 16:03 | Northwestern | Jason Porter hits the front of the rim on the pull-up jumper from the right side but he's fouled by Teodoro Esposito - foul #1 on Teodoro Esposito, team foul #1 | 41-47 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Bob Brannigan (PG), Timothy Swenson (SF), John Vick (PF), Todd Lax (C) Walter Matz, Robert Woo, Nathan Summers, Robert Sutherland | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Eric Parkerson (SG), Harry Evans (SF), Bruce Banks (PF), Anthony Farris (C) Adam Stoehr, Alan Carpenter, Teodoro Esposito, Ratko Pilchowski | |
| 16:03 | Northwestern | Jason Porter makes the 1st free throw | 42-47 |
| 16:03 | Northwestern | Jason Porter makes the 2nd free throw | 43-47 |
| 16:01 | Michigan State | Lawrence Pierce is hacked by Bob Brannigan in the backcourt - foul #1 on Bob Brannigan, team foul #1 | 43-47 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Ray Dempsey (SG) Jason Porter | |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| 15:50 | Michigan State | Timothy Swenson takes the ball from Lawrence Pierce | 43-47 |
| 15:47 | Northwestern | Bob Brannigan can't throw it down | 43-47 |
| 15:45 | Michigan State | Eric Parkerson grabs the board | 43-47 |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Bob Brannigan (fresh) 4 pts. 5 ast. 4 stl. SG - Ray Dempsey (fresh) SF - Timothy Swenson (fresh) 7 pts. PF - John Vick (fresh) 3 pts. C - Todd Lax (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Lawrence Pierce (tiring) 4 pts. 5 ast. SG - Eric Parkerson (fresh) 14 pts. SF - Harry Evans (fresh) 3 pts. PF - Bruce Banks (fresh) 9 pts. 4 reb. 2 stl. C - Anthony Farris (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. | |
| 15:18 | Michigan State | Anthony Farris comes up short on the fadeaway jumper from the left wing but the foul's on Todd Lax - foul #3 on Todd Lax, team foul #2 | 43-47 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Walter Matz (SG) Ray Dempsey | |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| 15:18 | Michigan State | Anthony Farris makes the 1st free throw | 43-48 |
| 15:18 | Michigan State | Anthony Farris misses the 2nd free throw | 43-48 |
| 15:18 | Northwestern | John Vick gets the rebound | 43-48 |
| 15:07 | Northwestern | John Vick clanks a 3 pointer from the left wing | 43-48 |
| 15:06 | Michigan State | Anthony Farris gets the rebound | 43-48 |
| 14:46 | Michigan State | Bruce Banks can't connect on a jumper from close range | 43-48 |
| 14:44 | Northwestern | Walter Matz grabs the defensive rebound | 43-48 |
| 14:39 | Northwestern | Todd Lax loses the dribble to Harry Evans | 43-48 |
| 14:35 | Michigan State | Lawrence Pierce is whistled for a carry in the backcourt | 43-48 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jackie Jenkins (SG), Ray Dempsey (SF), Jason Porter (C) Walter Matz, Timothy Swenson, Todd Lax | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Adam Stoehr (SG), Teodoro Esposito (C) Lawrence Pierce, Anthony Farris | |
| 14:27 | Northwestern | John Vick comes up short on the 3 pointer from straight away | 43-48 |
| 14:25 | Michigan State | Teodoro Esposito grabs the defensive rebound | 43-48 |
| 14:23 | Michigan State | Bob Brannigan steps in front of the Bruce Banks pass in the backcourt | 43-48 |
| 14:03 | Northwestern | John Vick knocks in the driving attempt from the left block | 45-48 |
| 13:43 | Michigan State | Bruce Banks is fouled on the floor by Ray Dempsey - foul #1 on Ray Dempsey, team foul #3 | 45-48 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Walter Matz (PG), Timothy Swenson (SF), Robert Woo (PF), Robert Sutherland (C) Bob Brannigan, Ray Dempsey, John Vick, Jason Porter | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Alan Carpenter (SF), Ratko Pilchowski (C) Harry Evans, Bruce Banks | |
| 13:27 | Michigan State | Ratko Pilchowski hits the front of the rim on the shot from the left wing | 45-48 |
| 13:25 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Robert Sutherland | 45-48 |
| 13:21 | Northwestern | Adam Stoehr is called for the reach on Jackie Jenkins - foul #1 on Adam Stoehr, team foul #2 | 45-48 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Lawrence Pierce (PG), Bruce Banks (PF) Adam Stoehr, Teodoro Esposito | |
| 13:00 | Northwestern | Timothy Swenson misses short on a pull-up jumper from the left side | 45-48 |
| 12:58 | Michigan State | Bruce Banks snags the defensive board | 45-48 |
| 12:42 | Michigan State | Ratko Pilchowski hits the front of the rim on the jump hook from the left block but the foul's on Robert Sutherland - foul #3 on Robert Sutherland, team foul #4 | 45-48 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jason Porter (SG), Ray Dempsey (SF), Nathan Summers (PF) Jackie Jenkins, Timothy Swenson, Robert Woo | |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| 12:42 | Michigan State | Ratko Pilchowski makes the 1st free throw | 45-49 |
| 12:42 | Michigan State | Ratko Pilchowski makes the 2nd free throw | 45-50 |
| 12:24 | Northwestern | Ray Dempsey buries a 3 from the left corner on a nice dish by Walter Matz | 48-50 |
| 12:01 | Michigan State | Ratko Pilchowski buries a runner in the paint | 48-52 |
| 11:39 | Northwestern | Walter Matz buries a 3pt attempt from the right corner on a nice dish by Ray Dempsey | 51-52 |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Walter Matz (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 2 ast. SG - Jason Porter (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 3 ast. 2 stl. SF - Ray Dempsey (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. PF - Nathan Summers (fresh) 5 pts. 3 reb. C - Robert Sutherland (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. 3 pf. | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Lawrence Pierce (tiring) 4 pts. 5 ast. SG - Eric Parkerson (tiring) 14 pts. SF - Alan Carpenter (fairly fresh) 2 pts. PF - Bruce Banks (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 5 reb. 2 stl. C - Ratko Pilchowski (fairly fresh) 6 pts. | |
| 11:10 | Michigan State | Eric Parkerson is open but comes up short on the fadeaway from the right side | 51-52 |
| 11:08 | Michigan State | Bruce Banks hits the follow up shot | 51-54 |
| 10:59 | Northwestern | Walter Matz buries a 3 from straight away set up by Robert Sutherland | 54-54 |
| 10:39 | Michigan State | Eric Parkerson hits the front of the rim on the 3pt attempt from the left wing | 54-54 |
| 10:38 | Michigan State | The offensive rebound goes to Alan Carpenter | 54-54 |
| 10:19 | Michigan State | Eric Parkerson is hacked by Nathan Summers - foul #1 on Nathan Summers, team foul #5 | 54-54 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Bob Brannigan (PG), Jackie Jenkins (SG), Timothy Swenson (SF), John Vick (PF), Todd Lax (C) Walter Matz, Jason Porter, Ray Dempsey, Nathan Summers, Robert Sutherland | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Adam Stoehr (SG), Harry Evans (SF), Teodoro Esposito (PF), Anthony Farris (C) Eric Parkerson, Alan Carpenter, Bruce Banks, Ratko Pilchowski | |
| 10:01 | Michigan State | Adam Stoehr misses the 3 pointer from the right corner | 54-54 |
| 09:59 | Northwestern | Timothy Swenson grabs the defensive rebound | 54-54 |
| 09:54 | Northwestern | Adam Stoehr is called for the reach on Jackie Jenkins - foul #2 on Adam Stoehr, team foul #3 | 54-54 |
| 09:48 | Northwestern | Jackie Jenkins's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 54-54 |
| 09:46 | Michigan State | John Vick steals it from Lawrence Pierce in the backcourt | 54-54 |
| 09:38 | Northwestern | Timothy Swenson loses the ball out of bounds | 54-54 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Eric Parkerson (PG) Lawrence Pierce | |
| 09:14 | Michigan State | Anthony Farris misses the dunk attempt | 54-54 |
| 09:12 | Michigan State | Harry Evans hits the follow up shot | 54-56 |
| 08:58 | Northwestern | Timothy Swenson hits a 3pt shot from the right corner on a great pass from Todd Lax | 57-56 |
| 08:55 | Michigan State | Teodoro Esposito is whistled for traveling in the backcourt | 57-56 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Robert Woo (C) Todd Lax | |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| 08:42 | Northwestern | Jackie Jenkins is fouled on the floor by Adam Stoehr - foul #3 on Adam Stoehr, team foul #4 | 57-56 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Lawrence Pierce (PG), Bruce Banks (PF) Eric Parkerson, Teodoro Esposito | |
| 08:20 | Northwestern | Bob Brannigan makes the 3pt jumper from the left corner on a great pass from Timothy Swenson | 60-56 |
| 07:56 | Michigan State | Harry Evans misses the 3pt shot from the left wing | 60-56 |
| 07:55 | Northwestern | John Vick grabs the board | 60-56 |
| 07:51 | Northwestern | Jackie Jenkins hits the front of the rim on the floater from the right wing | 60-56 |
| 07:49 | Michigan State | Lawrence Pierce snags the defensive board | 60-56 |
| 07:28 | Michigan State | Bob Brannigan takes the ball from Lawrence Pierce | 60-56 |
| 07:25 | Northwestern | Jackie Jenkins misses the lay-in | 60-56 |
| 07:24 | Michigan State | Bruce Banks grabs the defensive rebound | 60-56 |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Bob Brannigan (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 5 ast. 6 stl. SG - Jackie Jenkins (tiring) 3 pts. SF - Timothy Swenson (fairly fresh) 10 pts. 2 reb. PF - John Vick (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 2 reb. C - Robert Woo (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 3 reb. | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Lawrence Pierce (tired) 4 pts. 5 ast. SG - Adam Stoehr (fairly fresh) 1 ast. 3 pf. SF - Harry Evans (fairly fresh) 5 pts. PF - Bruce Banks (tiring) 11 pts. 7 reb. 2 stl. C - Anthony Farris (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 3 reb. | |
| 07:15 | Michigan State | Lawrence Pierce knocks in the floater from the free throw line set up by Harry Evans | 60-58 |
| 07:04 | Northwestern | Timothy Swenson's fadeaway is rejected by Anthony Farris | 60-58 |
| 07:03 | Michigan State | Bruce Banks grabs the board | 60-58 |
| 07:01 | Michigan State | Adam Stoehr loses the dribble to Bob Brannigan in the backcourt | 60-58 |
| 06:47 | Northwestern | Bob Brannigan misses long on a shot from the free throw line but the foul's on Lawrence Pierce - foul #1 on Lawrence Pierce, team foul #5 | 60-58 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jason Porter (SG), Nathan Summers (PF), Todd Lax (C) Jackie Jenkins, John Vick, Robert Woo | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Eric Parkerson (PG), Alan Carpenter (SF), Teodoro Esposito (PF), Ratko Pilchowski (C) Lawrence Pierce, Adam Stoehr, Bruce Banks, Anthony Farris | |
| 06:47 | Northwestern | Bob Brannigan misses the 1st free throw | 60-58 |
| 06:47 | Northwestern | Bob Brannigan misses the 2nd free throw | 60-58 |
| 06:47 | Michigan State | Ratko Pilchowski pulls down the rebound | 60-58 |
| 06:40 | Michigan State | Ratko Pilchowski travels in the backcourt | 60-58 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Walter Matz (PG), Ray Dempsey (SF) Bob Brannigan, Timothy Swenson | |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| 06:23 | Northwestern | Todd Lax lays it in set up by Nathan Summers and the foul's on Alan Carpenter - foul #2 on Alan Carpenter, team foul #6 | 62-58 |
| 06:23 | Northwestern | Todd Lax misses the free throw | 62-58 |
| 06:23 | Michigan State | Teodoro Esposito pulls down the rebound | 62-58 |
| 06:04 | Michigan State | Teodoro Esposito can't connect on a jumpshot from the left side but the foul's on Ray Dempsey - foul #2 on Ray Dempsey, team foul #6 | 62-58 |
| 06:04 | Michigan State | Teodoro Esposito misses the 1st free throw | 62-58 |
| 06:04 | Michigan State | Teodoro Esposito misses the 2nd free throw | 62-58 |
| 06:04 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Todd Lax | 62-58 |
| 05:50 | Northwestern | Nathan Summers is hacked by Teodoro Esposito - foul #2 on Teodoro Esposito, team foul #7 | 62-58 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Timothy Swenson (SF), Robert Sutherland (C) Ray Dempsey, Todd Lax | |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| 05:50 | Northwestern | Nathan Summers makes the 1st free throw | 63-58 |
| 05:50 | Northwestern | Nathan Summers makes the 2nd free throw | 64-58 |
| 05:30 | Michigan State | Harry Evans can't connect on a 3 pointer from the left corner | 64-58 |
| 05:28 | Northwestern | Timothy Swenson gets the rebound | 64-58 |
| 05:22 | Northwestern | Walter Matz misses the pull-up jumper from the left wing | 64-58 |
| 05:20 | Northwestern | Nathan Summers pulls down the offensive rebound | 64-58 |
| 05:09 | Northwestern | Ratko Pilchowski steps in front of the Timothy Swenson pass | 64-58 |
| 04:44 | Michigan State | Eric Parkerson loses the dribble to Walter Matz | 64-58 |
| 04:40 | Northwestern | Jason Porter banks in the layup set up by Walter Matz | 66-58 |
| 04:36 | Michigan State | Eric Parkerson is fouled in the backcourt by Robert Sutherland - foul #4 on Robert Sutherland, team foul #7 | 66-58 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Bob Brannigan (PG), John Vick (PF), Todd Lax (C) Walter Matz, Nathan Summers, Robert Sutherland | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Lawrence Pierce (PG), Bruce Banks (PF), Anthony Farris (C) Alan Carpenter, Teodoro Esposito, Ratko Pilchowski | |
| 04:36 | Michigan State | Eric Parkerson makes the 1st free throw | 66-59 |
| 04:36 | Michigan State | Eric Parkerson makes the 2nd free throw | 66-60 |
| 04:15 | Northwestern | Todd Lax misses the floater near the basket | 66-60 |
| 04:13 | Michigan State | Harry Evans snags the defensive board | 66-60 |
| 03:48 | Michigan State | Eric Parkerson's floater is tipped away by John Vick | 66-60 |
| 03:46 | Northwestern | John Vick grabs the defensive rebound | 66-60 |
| 03:40 | Northwestern | Eric Parkerson takes the ball from Timothy Swenson | 66-60 |
| 03:23 | Michigan State | Harry Evans drills a shot from the left side | 66-62 |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Bob Brannigan (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 5 ast. 7 stl. SG - Jason Porter (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 3 ast. 2 stl. SF - Timothy Swenson (tiring) 10 pts. 3 reb. PF - John Vick (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 3 reb. C - Todd Lax (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 3 reb. 3 pf. | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Lawrence Pierce (tired) 6 pts. 5 ast. SG - Eric Parkerson (tired) 16 pts. SF - Harry Evans (tiring) 7 pts. 1 ast. PF - Bruce Banks (fairly fresh) 11 pts. 8 reb. 2 stl. C - Anthony Farris (tiring) 3 pts. 3 reb. 2 blk. | |
| 03:00 | Northwestern | Timothy Swenson comes up short on the 3pt shot from straight away | 66-62 |
| 02:59 | Michigan State | Anthony Farris grabs the defensive rebound | 66-62 |
| 02:30 | Michigan State | Anthony Farris can't connect on a runner in the paint | 66-62 |
| 02:28 | Michigan State | Bruce Banks pulls down the offensive rebound | 66-62 |
| 02:28 | Michigan State | Michigan State calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 66-62 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Walter Matz (SG), Robert Woo (SF), Nathan Summers (PF), Robert Sutherland (C) Jason Porter, Timothy Swenson, John Vick, Todd Lax | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Adam Stoehr (SG), Alan Carpenter (SF), Teodoro Esposito (PF), Ratko Pilchowski (C) Eric Parkerson, Harry Evans, Bruce Banks, Anthony Farris | |
| 02:12 | Michigan State | Ratko Pilchowski can't connect on a runner from close range | 66-62 |
| 02:11 | Michigan State | Ratko Pilchowski grabs the offensive rebound | 66-62 |
| 01:57 | Michigan State | Teodoro Esposito hits the front of the rim on the shot from close range | 66-62 |
| 01:56 | Northwestern | Robert Woo gets the rebound | 66-62 |
| 01:56 | Northwestern | Northwestern calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 66-62 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jackie Jenkins (SG), Timothy Swenson (SF), John Vick (PF), Todd Lax (C) Walter Matz, Robert Woo, Nathan Summers, Robert Sutherland | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Eric Parkerson (SG), Harry Evans (SF), Bruce Banks (PF), Anthony Farris (C) Adam Stoehr, Alan Carpenter, Teodoro Esposito, Ratko Pilchowski | |
| 01:42 | Northwestern | Timothy Swenson misses the 3pt jumper from the right corner | 66-62 |
| 01:40 | Michigan State | Bruce Banks gets the rebound | 66-62 |
| 01:11 | Michigan State | Eric Parkerson knocks in the fadeaway jumper from the left wing on a nice dish by Lawrence Pierce | 66-64 |
| 00:57 | Northwestern | Todd Lax blows the layup | 66-64 |
| 00:55 | Michigan State | Eric Parkerson grabs the board | 66-64 |
| 00:31 | Michigan State | Timothy Swenson picks off the pass by Lawrence Pierce | 66-64 |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and intentionally fouling (0) | |
| 00:29 | Northwestern | John Vick is fouled in the backcourt by Lawrence Pierce - foul #2 on Lawrence Pierce, team foul #8 | 66-64 |
| 00:29 | Northwestern | John Vick misses the 1st free throw | 66-64 |
| 00:29 | Michigan State | Anthony Farris grabs the board | 66-64 |
| 00:17 | Michigan State | Todd Lax is called for the reach on Anthony Farris - foul #4 on Todd Lax, team foul #8 | 66-64 |
| 00:17 | Michigan State | Anthony Farris misses the 1st free throw | 66-64 |
| 00:17 | Northwestern | John Vick grabs the defensive rebound | 66-64 |
| 00:15 | Northwestern | Lawrence Pierce is called for the reach on John Vick in the backcourt - foul #3 on Lawrence Pierce, team foul #9 | 66-64 |
| 00:15 | Northwestern | John Vick makes the 1st free throw | 67-64 |
| 00:15 | Northwestern | John Vick misses the 2nd free throw | 67-64 |
| 00:15 | Michigan State | Anthony Farris snags the defensive board | 67-64 |
| 00:09 | Michigan State | Lawrence Pierce clanks a 3pt attempt from the right wing | 67-64 |
| 00:07 | Michigan State | Anthony Farris snags the offensive board | 67-64 |
| 00:02 | Michigan State | Harry Evans clanks a 3 from the right corner | 67-64 |
| 00:01 | Northwestern | Jackie Jenkins pulls down the rebound | 67-64 |
| 00:00 | Northwestern | Jackie Jenkins runs out the clock | 67-64 |