| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Lawrence Pierce (fresh) 10 pts. 1 ast. SG - Vernon Wier (fresh) 4 pts. 3 ast. SF - Cortez Bruner (fresh) 1 pts. 3 reb. PF - Teodoro Esposito (fresh) 8 pts. 2 blk. C - Anthony Farris (fresh) 7 pts. 3 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Walter Matz (fresh) SG - Jackie Jenkins (fresh) 1 pts. SF - Timothy Swenson (fresh) 4 pts. 4 reb. PF - Robert Woo (fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. C - Todd Lax (fresh) | |
| 20:00 | Michigan State | Cortez Bruner inbounds the ball | 32-23 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| 19:42 | Michigan State | Cortez Bruner misses the floater from the right wing | 32-23 |
| 19:40 | Michigan State | Teodoro Esposito grabs the offensive board | 32-23 |
| 19:19 | Michigan State | Teodoro Esposito hits the front of the rim on the turnaround in the paint | 32-23 |
| 19:17 | Northwestern | Timothy Swenson grabs the board | 32-23 |
| 19:10 | Northwestern | Jackie Jenkins misses short on a 3pt attempt from the left wing | 32-23 |
| 19:09 | Michigan State | Vernon Wier gets the rebound | 32-23 |
| 18:40 | Michigan State | Teodoro Esposito clanks a jumpshot from the right side | 32-23 |
| 18:38 | Northwestern | Todd Lax snags the defensive board | 32-23 |
| 18:34 | Northwestern | Lawrence Pierce takes the ball from Walter Matz | 32-23 |
| 18:14 | Michigan State | Teodoro Esposito makes the wide open shot from the left block on a nice dish by Vernon Wier | 34-23 |
| 17:49 | Northwestern | Timothy Swenson scores on a floater from the right side | 34-25 |
| 17:45 | Michigan State | Walter Matz takes the ball from Vernon Wier in the backcourt | 34-25 |
| 17:27 | Northwestern | Teodoro Esposito steals it from Walter Matz | 34-25 |
| 16:58 | Michigan State | Anthony Farris makes the wide open driving attempt in the paint | 36-25 |
| 16:53 | Northwestern | Vernon Wier steps in front of the Jackie Jenkins pass | 36-25 |
| 16:35 | Michigan State | Anthony Farris comes up short on the turnaround from the left block but the foul's on Todd Lax - foul #2 on Todd Lax, team foul #1 | 36-25 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Tim Sandford (SG), Gerald Davis (SF), Eric Russ (PF) Vernon Wier, Cortez Bruner, Teodoro Esposito | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jason Porter (PG), Ray Dempsey (SG), Nathan Summers (SF), Robert Sutherland (PF), Jacob Jefferson (C) Walter Matz, Jackie Jenkins, Timothy Swenson, Robert Woo, Todd Lax | |
| 16:35 | Michigan State | Anthony Farris makes the 1st free throw | 37-25 |
| 16:35 | Michigan State | Anthony Farris misses the 2nd free throw | 37-25 |
| 16:35 | Northwestern | Robert Sutherland gets the rebound | 37-25 |
| 16:29 | Northwestern | Eric Russ swats the layup by Robert Sutherland | 37-25 |
| 16:28 | Michigan State | Anthony Farris snags the defensive board | 37-25 |
| 15:59 | Michigan State | Anthony Farris misses the dunk | 37-25 |
| 15:58 | Northwestern | Robert Sutherland grabs the board | 37-25 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Lawrence Pierce (fairly fresh) 10 pts. 1 ast. 2 stl. SG - Tim Sandford (fresh) SF - Gerald Davis (fresh) 3 reb. PF - Eric Russ (fresh) C - Anthony Farris (tiring) 10 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Jason Porter (fresh) 2 pts. 2 ast. SG - Ray Dempsey (fresh) 6 pts. 2 stl. SF - Nathan Summers (fresh) 8 pts. PF - Robert Sutherland (fresh) 2 reb. C - Jacob Jefferson (fresh) 2 reb. | |
| 15:53 | Northwestern | Jason Porter is fouled on the floor by Lawrence Pierce - foul #2 on Lawrence Pierce, team foul #1 | 37-25 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Stjepan Trojanowski (SG), Ratko Pilchowski (C) Tim Sandford, Anthony Farris | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 15:48 | Northwestern | Jacob Jefferson is whistled for traveling | 37-25 |
| 15:32 | Michigan State | Stjepan Trojanowski misses the 3pt attempt from the right wing | 37-25 |
| 15:31 | Michigan State | Eric Russ grabs the offensive rebound | 37-25 |
| 15:13 | Michigan State | Ratko Pilchowski hits the front of the rim on the jumper from the free throw line | 37-25 |
| 15:11 | Northwestern | Ray Dempsey gets the rebound | 37-25 |
| 15:06 | Northwestern | Ray Dempsey misses the 3pt attempt from the right corner | 37-25 |
| 15:04 | Northwestern | Robert Sutherland grabs the offensive rebound | 37-25 |
| 14:54 | Northwestern | Robert Sutherland hits a runner from the right block and he's hacked by Stjepan Trojanowski - foul #4 on Stjepan Trojanowski, team foul #2 | 37-27 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Vernon Wier (SG), Tim Sandford (SF) Stjepan Trojanowski, Gerald Davis | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Walter Matz (PG), Larry Bessette (SG), Timothy Swenson (SF), Robert Woo (PF) Jason Porter, Ray Dempsey, Nathan Summers, Jacob Jefferson | |
| 14:54 | Northwestern | Robert Sutherland makes the free throw | 37-28 |
| 14:35 | Michigan State | Robert Woo blocks the short jumper by Lawrence Pierce | 37-28 |
| 14:34 | Northwestern | Larry Bessette snags the defensive board | 37-28 |
| 14:14 | Northwestern | Robert Woo misses badly on a 3pt jumper from the left corner | 37-28 |
| 14:12 | Michigan State | Tim Sandford snags the defensive board | 37-28 |
| 13:50 | Michigan State | Tim Sandford misses short on a fadeaway jumper from just outside the lane | 37-28 |
| 13:49 | Michigan State | Lawrence Pierce tips it back up and in | 39-28 |
| 13:32 | Northwestern | Walter Matz hits a 3pt jumper from the right wing set up by Larry Bessette | 39-31 |
| 13:30 | Michigan State | Timothy Swenson steps in front of the Vernon Wier pass in the backcourt | 39-31 |
| 13:12 | Northwestern | Walter Matz makes the 3 pointer from the left wing set up by Robert Sutherland | 39-34 |
| 12:46 | Michigan State | Tim Sandford is whistled for a carry | 39-34 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Gerald Davis (SF), Teodoro Esposito (PF), Anthony Farris (C) Tim Sandford, Eric Russ, Ratko Pilchowski | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jason Porter (PG), Jackie Jenkins (SG), Ray Dempsey (SF), Nathan Summers (PF), Todd Lax (C) Walter Matz, Larry Bessette, Timothy Swenson, Robert Woo, Robert Sutherland | |
| 12:30 | Northwestern | Gerald Davis is called for the reach on Jason Porter - foul #2 on Gerald Davis, team foul #3 | 39-34 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jacob Jefferson (C) Todd Lax | |
| 12:12 | Northwestern | Jackie Jenkins connects on the fadeaway jumper from the free throw line and he's hacked by Teodoro Esposito - foul #1 on Teodoro Esposito, team foul #4 | 39-36 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Cortez Bruner (SF) Gerald Davis | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 12:12 | Northwestern | Jackie Jenkins makes the free throw | 39-37 |
| 11:43 | Michigan State | Lawrence Pierce makes the floater from just outside the lane | 41-37 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Lawrence Pierce (tiring) 14 pts. 1 ast. 2 stl. SG - Vernon Wier (tiring) 4 pts. 4 ast. 2 stl. SF - Cortez Bruner (fresh) 1 pts. 3 reb. PF - Teodoro Esposito (fresh) 10 pts. 2 reb. 2 blk. C - Anthony Farris (fairly fresh) 10 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Jason Porter (fresh) 2 pts. 2 ast. SG - Jackie Jenkins (fresh) 4 pts. SF - Ray Dempsey (fresh) 6 pts. 2 stl. PF - Nathan Summers (fresh) 8 pts. C - Jacob Jefferson (fairly fresh) 2 reb. | |
| 11:28 | Northwestern | Jackie Jenkins lays it in and the foul's on Vernon Wier - foul #2 on Vernon Wier, team foul #5 | 41-39 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Gerald Davis (SF) Cortez Bruner | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Walter Matz (PG) Jacob Jefferson | |
| 11:28 | Northwestern | Jackie Jenkins misses the free throw | 41-39 |
| 11:28 | Northwestern | The offensive rebound goes to Nathan Summers | 41-39 |
| 11:07 | Northwestern | Gerald Davis steals the ball from Nathan Summers | 41-39 |
| 11:04 | Michigan State | Lawrence Pierce lays it in on a nice dish by Gerald Davis | 43-39 |
| 10:57 | Northwestern | Walter Matz connects on the floater from the left side on a great pass from Ray Dempsey | 43-41 |
| 10:30 | Michigan State | Walter Matz picks off the pass by Gerald Davis | 43-41 |
| 10:27 | Northwestern | Vernon Wier picks off the pass by Walter Matz in the backcourt | 43-41 |
| 10:05 | Michigan State | Jason Porter steals the ball from Vernon Wier | 43-41 |
| 10:01 | Northwestern | Ray Dempsey misses long on a 3pt attempt from the right wing | 43-41 |
| 09:59 | Michigan State | Anthony Farris grabs the board | 43-41 |
| 09:57 | Michigan State | Lawrence Pierce throws a bad pass out of bounds in the backcourt | 43-41 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Tim Sandford (SG), Cortez Bruner (SF), Eric Russ (PF), Ratko Pilchowski (C) Vernon Wier, Gerald Davis, Teodoro Esposito, Anthony Farris | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Tony Glenn (PG), Larry Bessette (SG), Timothy Swenson (SF), Robert Woo (PF), Todd Lax (C) Walter Matz, Jackie Jenkins, Ray Dempsey, Nathan Summers, Jason Porter | |
| 09:36 | Northwestern | Tim Sandford steals the ball from Todd Lax | 43-41 |
| 09:09 | Michigan State | Ratko Pilchowski clanks a pull-up jumper from the left side | 43-41 |
| 09:08 | Northwestern | Timothy Swenson snags the defensive board | 43-41 |
| 08:49 | Northwestern | Todd Lax can't finish the layup | 43-41 |
| 08:47 | Michigan State | Eric Russ gets the rebound | 43-41 |
| 08:28 | Michigan State | Lawrence Pierce hits the front of the rim on the fadeaway from the free throw line but he's hacked by Tony Glenn - foul #1 on Tony Glenn, team foul #2 | 43-41 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Gerald Davis (SF), Teodoro Esposito (PF) Cortez Bruner, Eric Russ | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Walter Matz (PG), Jackie Jenkins (SG), Robert Sutherland (PF), Jacob Jefferson (C) Tony Glenn, Larry Bessette, Robert Woo, Todd Lax | |
| 08:28 | Michigan State | Lawrence Pierce misses the 1st free throw | 43-41 |
| 08:28 | Michigan State | Lawrence Pierce makes the 2nd free throw | 44-41 |
| 08:06 | Northwestern | Robert Sutherland is fouled on the floor by Gerald Davis - foul #3 on Gerald Davis, team foul #6 | 44-41 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Vernon Wier (PG) Lawrence Pierce | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 07:53 | Northwestern | Gerald Davis is called for the reach on Timothy Swenson - foul #4 on Gerald Davis, team foul #7 | 44-41 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Stjepan Trojanowski (SG) Tim Sandford | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jason Porter (SG) Jackie Jenkins | |
| 07:53 | Northwestern | Timothy Swenson misses the 1st free throw | 44-41 |
| 07:53 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to Stjepan Trojanowski | 44-41 |
| 07:25 | Michigan State | Ratko Pilchowski connects on the runner from the left block and the foul's on Walter Matz - foul #3 on Walter Matz, team foul #3 | 46-41 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Eric Russ (PF) Teodoro Esposito | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 07:25 | Michigan State | Ratko Pilchowski makes the free throw | 47-41 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Vernon Wier (tiring) 4 pts. 4 ast. 3 stl. SG - Stjepan Trojanowski (fresh) 1 ast. 4 pf. SF - Gerald Davis (fresh) 3 reb. 2 stl. 4 pf. PF - Eric Russ (fresh) 3 reb. C - Ratko Pilchowski (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 3 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Walter Matz (fresh) 8 pts. 3 stl. 3 pf. SG - Jason Porter (fresh) 2 pts. 2 ast. SF - Timothy Swenson (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 6 reb. PF - Robert Sutherland (fresh) 3 pts. 3 reb. C - Jacob Jefferson (fresh) 2 reb. | |
| 07:09 | Northwestern | Walter Matz hits a jumper from the left side on a nice dish by Jason Porter and the foul's on Eric Russ - foul #2 on Eric Russ, team foul #8 | 47-43 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Anthony Farris (C) Ratko Pilchowski | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Nathan Summers (PF), Todd Lax (C) Robert Sutherland, Jacob Jefferson | |
| 07:09 | Northwestern | Walter Matz makes the free throw | 47-44 |
| 07:07 | Michigan State | Vernon Wier is hacked by Walter Matz in the backcourt - foul #4 on Walter Matz, team foul #4 | 47-44 |
| 06:56 | Michigan State | Anthony Farris is denied on a dunk by Todd Lax | 47-44 |
| 06:55 | Northwestern | Nathan Summers gets the rebound | 47-44 |
| 06:31 | Northwestern | Todd Lax clanks a jump hook near the basket but the foul's on Eric Russ - foul #3 on Eric Russ, team foul #9 | 47-44 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Cortez Bruner (SF) Gerald Davis | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Tony Glenn (PG), Larry Bessette (SG), Ray Dempsey (SF) Walter Matz, Jason Porter, Timothy Swenson | |
| 06:31 | Northwestern | Todd Lax makes the 1st free throw | 47-45 |
| 06:31 | Northwestern | Todd Lax makes the 2nd free throw | 47-46 |
| 06:26 | Michigan State | Cortez Bruner is hacked by Larry Bessette in the backcourt - foul #1 on Larry Bessette, team foul #5 | 47-46 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Robert Woo (PF) Nathan Summers | |
| 06:01 | Michigan State | Anthony Farris hits a fadeaway from the baseline | 49-46 |
| 05:48 | Northwestern | Anthony Farris blocks the short jumper by Todd Lax | 49-46 |
| 05:46 | Michigan State | Stjepan Trojanowski snags the defensive board | 49-46 |
| 05:21 | Michigan State | Vernon Wier is alone and drills a floater from the right wing on a nice dish by Stjepan Trojanowski | 51-46 |
| 05:02 | Northwestern | Ray Dempsey comes up short on the 3pt attempt from the left wing | 51-46 |
| 05:01 | Northwestern | Todd Lax can't tip it in | 51-46 |
| 05:00 | Northwestern | Robert Woo grabs the offensive rebound | 51-46 |
| 04:45 | Northwestern | Ray Dempsey scores on a fadeaway from just outside the lane set up by Tony Glenn | 51-48 |
| 04:39 | Michigan State | Stjepan Trojanowski is hacked by Todd Lax in the backcourt - foul #3 on Todd Lax, team foul #6 | 51-48 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Lawrence Pierce (PG), Tim Sandford (SG), Gerald Davis (SF), Teodoro Esposito (PF), Ratko Pilchowski (C) Vernon Wier, Stjepan Trojanowski, Cortez Bruner, Eric Russ, Anthony Farris | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Walter Matz (PG), Jackie Jenkins (SG), Nathan Summers (SF), Robert Sutherland (PF), Jacob Jefferson (C) Tony Glenn, Larry Bessette, Ray Dempsey, Robert Woo, Todd Lax | |
| 04:16 | Michigan State | Teodoro Esposito throws a bad pass out of bounds | 51-48 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Timothy Swenson (SF) Nathan Summers | |
| 04:03 | Northwestern | Robert Sutherland makes the jumpshot from the right wing on a great pass from Walter Matz | 51-50 |
| 03:40 | Michigan State | Teodoro Esposito makes the jumper from the left block on a great pass from Gerald Davis | 53-50 |
| 03:35 | Northwestern | Jackie Jenkins knocks in the floater from just outside the lane on a great pass from Walter Matz | 53-52 |
| 03:06 | Michigan State | Ratko Pilchowski comes up short on the fadeaway jumper from the left wing but he's fouled by Jacob Jefferson - foul #2 on Jacob Jefferson, team foul #7 | 53-52 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Cortez Bruner (SF) Gerald Davis | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jason Porter (SG), Nathan Summers (PF), Todd Lax (C) Jackie Jenkins, Robert Sutherland, Jacob Jefferson | |
| 03:06 | Michigan State | Ratko Pilchowski misses the 1st free throw | 53-52 |
| 03:06 | Michigan State | Ratko Pilchowski makes the 2nd free throw | 54-52 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Lawrence Pierce (tiring) 17 pts. 1 ast. 2 stl. SG - Tim Sandford (fresh) SF - Cortez Bruner (fairly fresh) 1 pts. 3 reb. PF - Teodoro Esposito (fresh) 12 pts. 2 reb. 2 blk. C - Ratko Pilchowski (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 3 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Walter Matz (fresh) 11 pts. 2 ast. 3 stl. 4 pf. SG - Jason Porter (fresh) 2 pts. 3 ast. SF - Timothy Swenson (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 6 reb. PF - Nathan Summers (fresh) 8 pts. 3 reb. C - Todd Lax (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. 2 blk. 3 pf. | |
| 02:51 | Northwestern | Todd Lax loses the dribble to Teodoro Esposito | 54-52 |
| 02:24 | Michigan State | Cortez Bruner is open and buries a runner from the right block on a great pass from Lawrence Pierce | 56-52 |
| 02:13 | Northwestern | Timothy Swenson connects on the fadeaway from the right side | 56-54 |
| 01:51 | Michigan State | Cortez Bruner is hacked by Timothy Swenson - foul #3 on Timothy Swenson, team foul #8 | 56-54 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Vernon Wier (SG), Anthony Farris (C) Tim Sandford, Ratko Pilchowski | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jackie Jenkins (SG), Robert Woo (PF) Jason Porter, Nathan Summers | |
| 01:51 | Michigan State | Cortez Bruner makes the 1st free throw | 57-54 |
| 01:51 | Michigan State | Cortez Bruner makes the 2nd free throw | 58-54 |
| 01:40 | Northwestern | Jackie Jenkins drills a floater in the paint on a nice dish by Walter Matz | 58-56 |
| 01:36 | Michigan State | Jackie Jenkins is called for the reach on Anthony Farris in the backcourt - foul #3 on Jackie Jenkins, team foul #9 | 58-56 |
| 01:36 | Michigan State | Anthony Farris makes the 1st free throw | 59-56 |
| 01:36 | Michigan State | Anthony Farris makes the 2nd free throw | 60-56 |
| 01:13 | Northwestern | Jackie Jenkins misses long on a shot from the left side | 60-56 |
| 01:11 | Northwestern | Jackie Jenkins snags the offensive board | 60-56 |
| 00:57 | Northwestern | Timothy Swenson knocks in the jumper in the lane on a great pass from Jackie Jenkins | 60-58 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| 00:30 | Michigan State | Jackie Jenkins picks off the pass by Teodoro Esposito | 60-58 |
| 00:25 | Northwestern | Walter Matz lays it in on a nice dish by Jackie Jenkins | 60-60 |
| 00:01 | Michigan State | Anthony Farris clanks a jumper in the paint | 60-60 |
| 00:00 | Northwestern | Jackie Jenkins snags the defensive board | 60-60 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Lawrence Pierce (tired) 17 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SG - Vernon Wier (tiring) 6 pts. 4 ast. 3 stl. SF - Cortez Bruner (tiring) 5 pts. 3 reb. PF - Teodoro Esposito (fairly fresh) 12 pts. 2 reb. 2 blk. 2 stl. C - Anthony Farris (tiring) 14 pts. 5 reb. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Walter Matz (fresh) 13 pts. 3 ast. 3 stl. 4 pf. SG - Jackie Jenkins (fresh) 10 pts. 2 ast. 3 pf. SF - Timothy Swenson (fairly fresh) 10 pts. 6 reb. 3 pf. PF - Robert Woo (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 5 reb. C - Todd Lax (tiring) 2 pts. 3 reb. 2 blk. 3 pf. | |
| 05:00 | Northwestern | Todd Lax wins the tip | 60-60 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| 04:34 | Northwestern | Jackie Jenkins comes up short on the pull-up jumper from the right side | 60-60 |
| 04:33 | Michigan State | Teodoro Esposito pulls down the rebound | 60-60 |
| 04:19 | Michigan State | Lawrence Pierce misses short on a floater from the baseline but he's hacked by Jackie Jenkins - foul #4 on Jackie Jenkins, team foul #10 | 60-60 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Stjepan Trojanowski (SG), Gerald Davis (SF), Eric Russ (PF), Ratko Pilchowski (C) Vernon Wier, Cortez Bruner, Teodoro Esposito, Anthony Farris | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jason Porter (PG), Ray Dempsey (SG), Nathan Summers (SF), Robert Sutherland (PF), Jacob Jefferson (C) Walter Matz, Jackie Jenkins, Timothy Swenson, Robert Woo, Todd Lax | |
| 04:19 | Michigan State | Lawrence Pierce misses the 1st free throw | 60-60 |
| 04:19 | Michigan State | Lawrence Pierce misses the 2nd free throw | 60-60 |
| 04:19 | Northwestern | Jacob Jefferson pulls down the rebound | 60-60 |
| 04:01 | Northwestern | Jason Porter comes up short on the fadeaway jumper from the free throw line but he's fouled by Lawrence Pierce - foul #3 on Lawrence Pierce, team foul #10 | 60-60 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Vernon Wier (PG) Lawrence Pierce | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 04:01 | Northwestern | Jason Porter makes the 1st free throw | 60-61 |
| 04:01 | Northwestern | Jason Porter makes the 2nd free throw | 60-62 |
| 03:54 | Michigan State | Stjepan Trojanowski throws a bad pass out of bounds in the backcourt | 60-62 |
| 03:39 | Northwestern | Ray Dempsey misses short on a 3pt attempt from the right corner | 60-62 |
| 03:38 | Michigan State | Vernon Wier pulls down the rebound | 60-62 |
| 03:18 | Michigan State | Stjepan Trojanowski misses short on a 3 pointer from the right corner | 60-62 |
| 03:16 | Northwestern | Ray Dempsey gets the rebound | 60-62 |
| 03:10 | Northwestern | Jason Porter comes up short on the 3 pointer from the left wing | 60-62 |
| 03:09 | Michigan State | Ratko Pilchowski grabs the board | 60-62 |
| 03:07 | Michigan State | Stjepan Trojanowski loses the ball out of bounds in the backcourt | 60-62 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Walter Matz (PG) Jacob Jefferson | |
| 02:49 | Northwestern | Jason Porter knocks in the jumper from the right wing on a great pass from Walter Matz | 60-64 |
| 02:47 | Michigan State | Walter Matz steps in front of the Eric Russ pass in the backcourt | 60-64 |
| 02:46 | Northwestern | Walter Matz hits the finger roll | 60-66 |
| 02:22 | Michigan State | Walter Matz steals it from Vernon Wier | 60-66 |
| 02:19 | Northwestern | Jason Porter lays it in on a great pass from Walter Matz | 60-68 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a motion offense and a man to man (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| 02:12 | Michigan State | Ratko Pilchowski misses short on a shot in the paint | 60-68 |
| 02:10 | Northwestern | Ray Dempsey pulls down the rebound | 60-68 |
| 02:10 | Northwestern | Northwestern calls a full timeout (2 :30 4 full remaining) | 60-68 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Lawrence Pierce (PG), Teodoro Esposito (PF) Vernon Wier, Eric Russ | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jackie Jenkins (SG), Timothy Swenson (SF), Jacob Jefferson (C) Jason Porter, Ray Dempsey, Nathan Summers | |
| 01:50 | Northwestern | Jackie Jenkins makes the 3 pointer from the right wing set up by Walter Matz | 60-71 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a man to man (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| 01:40 | Michigan State | Stjepan Trojanowski hits a 3pt attempt from the right corner | 63-71 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and intentionally fouling (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| 01:37 | Northwestern | Walter Matz is fouled in the backcourt by Lawrence Pierce - foul #4 on Lawrence Pierce, team foul #11 | 63-71 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Vernon Wier (SG), Cortez Bruner (SF), Anthony Farris (C) Stjepan Trojanowski, Gerald Davis, Ratko Pilchowski | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jason Porter (C) Jacob Jefferson | |
| 01:37 | Northwestern | Walter Matz makes the 1st free throw | 63-72 |
| 01:37 | Northwestern | Walter Matz makes the 2nd free throw | 63-73 |
| 01:25 | Michigan State | Cortez Bruner blows the dunk but the foul's on Walter Matz - foul #5 on Walter Matz, team foul #11 | 63-73 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Stjepan Trojanowski (SG), Gerald Davis (SF), Eric Russ (PF), Ratko Pilchowski (C) Lawrence Pierce, Vernon Wier, Teodoro Esposito, Anthony Farris | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Ray Dempsey (SG), Nathan Summers (SF), Jacob Jefferson (C) Walter Matz, Jackie Jenkins, Timothy Swenson | |
| 01:25 | Michigan State | Cortez Bruner makes the 1st free throw | 64-73 |
| 01:25 | Michigan State | Cortez Bruner makes the 2nd free throw | 65-73 |
| 01:23 | Northwestern | Ray Dempsey is hacked by Stjepan Trojanowski in the backcourt - foul #5 on Stjepan Trojanowski, team foul #12 | 65-73 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Lawrence Pierce (PG), Vernon Wier (SG), Teodoro Esposito (PF), Anthony Farris (C) Stjepan Trojanowski, Gerald Davis, Eric Russ, Ratko Pilchowski | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jackie Jenkins (SG), Timothy Swenson (SF) Nathan Summers, Jacob Jefferson | |
| 01:23 | Northwestern | Ray Dempsey makes the 1st free throw | 65-74 |
| 01:23 | Northwestern | Ray Dempsey makes the 2nd free throw | 65-75 |
| 01:05 | Michigan State | Vernon Wier is hacked by Robert Sutherland - foul #2 on Robert Sutherland, team foul #12 | 65-75 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Tim Sandford (SG), Gerald Davis (SF), Eric Russ (PF), Ratko Pilchowski (C) Lawrence Pierce, Cortez Bruner, Teodoro Esposito, Anthony Farris | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Nathan Summers (SF), Jacob Jefferson (C) Jackie Jenkins, Timothy Swenson | |
| 01:05 | Michigan State | Vernon Wier makes the 1st free throw | 66-75 |
| 01:05 | Michigan State | Vernon Wier makes the 2nd free throw | 67-75 |
| 01:03 | Northwestern | Vernon Wier is called for the reach on Jason Porter in the backcourt - foul #3 on Vernon Wier, team foul #13 | 67-75 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Lawrence Pierce (PG), Cortez Bruner (SF), Teodoro Esposito (PF), Anthony Farris (C) Tim Sandford, Gerald Davis, Eric Russ, Ratko Pilchowski | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jackie Jenkins (SG), Timothy Swenson (SF), Todd Lax (C) Ray Dempsey, Nathan Summers, Jacob Jefferson | |
| 01:03 | Northwestern | Jason Porter makes the 1st free throw | 67-76 |
| 01:03 | Northwestern | Jason Porter misses the 2nd free throw | 67-76 |
| 01:03 | Michigan State | Anthony Farris grabs the board | 67-76 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Lawrence Pierce (tiring) 17 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. 4 pf. SG - Vernon Wier (tiring) 8 pts. 4 ast. 3 stl. 3 pf. SF - Cortez Bruner (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 3 reb. PF - Teodoro Esposito (fresh) 12 pts. 3 reb. 2 blk. 2 stl. C - Anthony Farris (fairly fresh) 14 pts. 6 reb. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Jason Porter (fresh) 9 pts. 3 ast. SG - Jackie Jenkins (fresh) 13 pts. 2 ast. 4 pf. SF - Timothy Swenson (fresh) 10 pts. 6 reb. 3 pf. PF - Robert Sutherland (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 3 reb. C - Todd Lax (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. 2 blk. 3 pf. | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| 00:57 | Michigan State | Lawrence Pierce clanks a 3 from the right corner | 67-76 |
| 00:56 | Michigan State | Cortez Bruner pulls down the offensive rebound | 67-76 |
| 00:52 | Michigan State | Vernon Wier comes up short on the 3pt attempt from the right corner | 67-76 |
| 00:51 | Northwestern | Todd Lax snags the defensive board | 67-76 |
| 00:51 | Northwestern | Northwestern calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 67-76 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Robert Woo (PF) Todd Lax | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| 00:49 | Northwestern | Lawrence Pierce is called for the reach on Jason Porter in the backcourt - foul #5 on Lawrence Pierce, team foul #14 | 67-76 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Tim Sandford (SG) Lawrence Pierce | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Todd Lax (C) Robert Woo | |
| 00:49 | Northwestern | Jason Porter makes the 1st free throw | 67-77 |
| 00:49 | Northwestern | Jason Porter makes the 2nd free throw | 67-78 |
| 00:45 | Michigan State | Teodoro Esposito is hacked by Robert Sutherland - foul #3 on Robert Sutherland, team foul #13 | 67-78 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Gerald Davis (SF), Eric Russ (PF), Ratko Pilchowski (C) Vernon Wier, Cortez Bruner, Anthony Farris | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Ray Dempsey (SG), Nathan Summers (SF), Jacob Jefferson (C) Jackie Jenkins, Timothy Swenson, Todd Lax | |
| 00:45 | Michigan State | Teodoro Esposito makes the 1st free throw | 68-78 |
| 00:45 | Michigan State | Teodoro Esposito misses the 2nd free throw | 68-78 |
| 00:45 | Northwestern | Jacob Jefferson pulls down the rebound | 68-78 |
| 00:44 | Northwestern | Teodoro Esposito is called for the reach on Jacob Jefferson in the backcourt - foul #2 on Teodoro Esposito, team foul #15 | 68-78 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Vernon Wier (PG) Teodoro Esposito | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Tony Glenn (PG) Nathan Summers | |
| 00:44 | Northwestern | Jacob Jefferson makes the 1st free throw | 68-79 |
| 00:44 | Northwestern | Jacob Jefferson makes the 2nd free throw | 68-80 |
| 00:40 | Michigan State | Ratko Pilchowski blows the dunk | 68-80 |
| 00:39 | Michigan State | Eric Russ tips it back up and in | 70-80 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a man to man (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| 00:34 | Northwestern | Ray Dempsey misses short on a pull-up jumper from the free throw line but he's hacked by Vernon Wier - foul #4 on Vernon Wier, team foul #16 | 70-80 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Nathan Summers (SF) Tony Glenn | |
| 00:34 | Northwestern | Ray Dempsey makes the 1st free throw | 70-81 |
| 00:34 | Northwestern | Ray Dempsey makes the 2nd free throw | 70-82 |
| 00:30 | Michigan State | Tim Sandford loses the dribble to Jacob Jefferson in the backcourt | 70-82 |
| 00:00 | Northwestern | Ray Dempsey runs out the clock | 70-82 |