| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Anthony Stevens (fresh) 6 pts. 1 ast. SG - Randy McGibbon (fresh) 6 pts. SF - Eugene Boyle (fresh) 5 pts. 4 reb. PF - David Saylors (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. C - Paul Wason (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Ryan Tardiff (fresh) 9 pts. 2 ast. SG - Charles Wallace (fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. SF - Stephen Burns (fresh) 5 pts. PF - Victor Wheatley (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. C - Sam Rowe (fresh) 4 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Illinois | Eugene Boyle inbounds the ball | 38-36 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a flex offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-3) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a triangle offense (uptempo) and a fullcourt press (0) | |
| 19:58 | Illinois | Randy McGibbon is fouled in the backcourt by Ryan Tardiff - foul #2 on Ryan Tardiff, team foul #1 | 38-36 |
| 19:31 | Illinois | David Saylors misses badly on a shot in the paint | 38-36 |
| 19:30 | Illinois | Paul Wason can't tip it in | 38-36 |
| 19:29 | Ohio State | Victor Wheatley grabs the defensive rebound | 38-36 |
| 19:16 | Ohio State | Charles Wallace makes the 3 from straight away | 38-39 |
| 19:04 | Illinois | Anthony Stevens is whistled for a carry | 38-39 |
| 18:50 | Ohio State | Charles Wallace knocks in the 3pt shot from the left wing | 38-42 |
| 18:27 | Illinois | Anthony Stevens is whistled for a charge - foul #2 on Anthony Stevens, team foul #1 | 38-42 |
| Subs | Illinois | Bruce Hicks (PG), Daniel Olsen (PF), Charles Howland (C) Anthony Stevens, David Saylors, Paul Wason | |
| Subs | Ohio State | John Nelson (PG), John Spann (SF), Thomas Tew (PF), Michael Niven (C) Ryan Tardiff, Stephen Burns, Victor Wheatley, Sam Rowe | |
| 18:16 | Ohio State | Charles Wallace hits the front of the rim on the jumper from the left wing | 38-42 |
| 18:15 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Randy McGibbon | 38-42 |
| 17:46 | Illinois | Bruce Hicks scores on a shot from just outside the lane on a great pass from Randy McGibbon | 40-42 |
| 17:23 | Ohio State | Charles Wallace comes up short on the 3pt shot from the left corner | 40-42 |
| 17:22 | Illinois | Charles Howland grabs the board | 40-42 |
| 16:53 | Illinois | Eugene Boyle misses badly on a jumpshot from the left side but the foul's on Michael Niven - foul #3 on Michael Niven, team foul #2 | 40-42 |
| Subs | Illinois | Anthony Stevens (PG), David Saylors (PF), Paul Wason (C) Bruce Hicks, Daniel Olsen, Charles Howland | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Ryan Tardiff (PG), Stephen Burns (SF), Sam Rowe (C) John Nelson, Thomas Tew, Michael Niven | |
| 16:53 | Illinois | Eugene Boyle misses the 1st free throw | 40-42 |
| 16:53 | Illinois | Eugene Boyle misses the 2nd free throw | 40-42 |
| 16:53 | Illinois | The offensive rebound goes to David Saylors | 40-42 |
| 16:33 | Illinois | Anthony Stevens misses short on a 3pt shot from the left corner | 40-42 |
| 16:31 | Ohio State | Sam Rowe grabs the defensive rebound | 40-42 |
| 16:21 | Ohio State | Eugene Boyle takes the ball from Stephen Burns | 40-42 |
| 16:18 | Illinois | Randy McGibbon hits the finger roll on a great pass from Eugene Boyle | 42-42 |
| 16:08 | Ohio State | Charles Wallace buries a 3pt attempt from the left wing set up by Stephen Burns | 42-45 |
| 15:42 | Illinois | Eugene Boyle connects on the 3pt jumper from the left wing set up by Anthony Stevens | 45-45 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Anthony Stevens (fresh) 6 pts. 2 ast. SG - Randy McGibbon (tiring) 8 pts. 1 ast. SF - Eugene Boyle (tiring) 8 pts. 4 reb. 2 stl. PF - David Saylors (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. C - Paul Wason (fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Ryan Tardiff (fresh) 9 pts. 2 ast. SG - Charles Wallace (tiring) 12 pts. 1 ast. SF - Stephen Burns (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 1 ast. PF - John Spann (fairly fresh) 3 pts. C - Sam Rowe (fairly fresh) 5 reb. | |
| 15:24 | Ohio State | Stephen Burns buries a jumpshot from the free throw line set up by Ryan Tardiff | 45-47 |
| 15:02 | Illinois | Stephen Burns steps in front of the David Saylors pass | 45-47 |
| 14:54 | Ohio State | Ryan Tardiff misses short on a jumpshot from the left wing but he's hacked by Anthony Stevens - foul #3 on Anthony Stevens, team foul #2 | 45-47 |
| Subs | Illinois | Bruce Hicks (PG), Daniel Olsen (SG), John Giancola (SF), Charles Howland (C) Anthony Stevens, Randy McGibbon, Eugene Boyle, Paul Wason | |
| Subs | Ohio State | John Nelson (SF), Victor Wheatley (PF), Michael Niven (C) Stephen Burns, John Spann, Sam Rowe | |
| 14:54 | Ohio State | Ryan Tardiff misses the 1st free throw | 45-47 |
| 14:54 | Ohio State | Ryan Tardiff makes the 2nd free throw | 45-48 |
| 14:31 | Illinois | John Giancola makes the 3pt attempt from the left wing on a nice dish by Bruce Hicks | 48-48 |
| 14:12 | Ohio State | Ryan Tardiff can't connect on a runner from the right block | 48-48 |
| 14:11 | Illinois | John Giancola grabs the defensive rebound | 48-48 |
| 13:49 | Illinois | John Giancola hits a floater from the right side set up by David Saylors | 50-48 |
| 13:36 | Ohio State | Charles Howland steps in front of the Ryan Tardiff pass | 50-48 |
| 13:11 | Illinois | Daniel Olsen drills a floater from the left wing | 52-48 |
| 13:04 | Ohio State | Ryan Tardiff hits a shot from the left side | 52-50 |
| 12:45 | Illinois | Daniel Olsen clanks a 3pt attempt from the right corner | 52-50 |
| 12:44 | Illinois | David Saylors gets the offensive rebound | 52-50 |
| 12:22 | Illinois | Daniel Olsen is hacked by Ryan Tardiff - foul #3 on Ryan Tardiff, team foul #3 | 52-50 |
| Subs | Illinois | Anthony Stevens (PG), Randy McGibbon (SG), Eugene Boyle (SF), Paul Wason (C) Bruce Hicks, John Giancola, David Saylors, Charles Howland | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Jeffrey McInnes (PG), Ryan Dodgen (SG), Stephen Burns (SF), Thomas Tew (PF), John Spann (C) Ryan Tardiff, Charles Wallace, John Nelson, Victor Wheatley, Michael Niven | |
| 12:01 | Illinois | Thomas Tew steps in front of the Paul Wason pass | 52-50 |
| 11:47 | Ohio State | Stephen Burns misses short on a floater from the right side | 52-50 |
| 11:46 | Illinois | Eugene Boyle pulls down the rebound | 52-50 |
| 11:44 | Illinois | Anthony Stevens double dribbles in the backcourt | 52-50 |
| 11:32 | Ohio State | Stephen Burns is whistled for a charge - foul #2 on Stephen Burns, team foul #4 | 52-50 |
| Subs | Illinois | David Saylors (PF) Daniel Olsen | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Anthony Stevens (fresh) 6 pts. 2 ast. 3 pf. SG - Randy McGibbon (tiring) 8 pts. 1 ast. SF - Eugene Boyle (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 5 reb. 2 stl. PF - David Saylors (tiring) 2 pts. 4 reb. C - Paul Wason (fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Jeffrey McInnes (fresh) 2 pts. 1 ast. SG - Ryan Dodgen (fresh) 4 pts. SF - Stephen Burns (fresh) 7 pts. 1 ast. 2 stl. PF - Thomas Tew (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. 2 stl. C - John Spann (fresh) 3 pts. | |
| 11:25 | Illinois | Eugene Boyle loses the dribble to Stephen Burns in the backcourt | 52-50 |
| 11:05 | Ohio State | John Spann throws a bad pass out of bounds | 52-50 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Ryan Tardiff (PG), Victor Wheatley (PF), Sam Rowe (C) Jeffrey McInnes, Thomas Tew, John Spann | |
| 10:38 | Illinois | Randy McGibbon makes the 3pt attempt from the right corner | 55-50 |
| 10:18 | Ohio State | The short jumper by Ryan Tardiff is denied by Eugene Boyle | 55-50 |
| 10:17 | Illinois | Eugene Boyle gets the rebound | 55-50 |
| 10:15 | Illinois | Randy McGibbon throws a bad pass out of bounds in the backcourt | 55-50 |
| Subs | Illinois | Bruce Hicks (PG), John Giancola (SF), Charles Howland (PF), Steven Bennett (C) Anthony Stevens, Eugene Boyle, David Saylors, Paul Wason | |
| Subs | Ohio State | John Nelson (PG), Charles Wallace (SG), Michael Niven (C) Ryan Tardiff, Ryan Dodgen, Sam Rowe | |
| 10:00 | Ohio State | Charles Wallace misses badly on a 3 from the left corner | 55-50 |
| 09:58 | Ohio State | Victor Wheatley tips it in | 55-52 |
| 09:32 | Illinois | Bruce Hicks misses short on a fadeaway from just outside the lane but he's hacked by Victor Wheatley - foul #2 on Victor Wheatley, team foul #5 | 55-52 |
| Subs | Illinois | Philip Custer (PG) Randy McGibbon | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Jeffrey McInnes (PG), John Spann (SF), Thomas Tew (PF) John Nelson, Stephen Burns, Victor Wheatley | |
| 09:32 | Illinois | Bruce Hicks misses the 1st free throw | 55-52 |
| 09:32 | Illinois | Bruce Hicks makes the 2nd free throw | 56-52 |
| 09:14 | Ohio State | Charles Wallace misses badly on a 3pt shot from the left corner | 56-52 |
| 09:12 | Illinois | Philip Custer grabs the defensive rebound | 56-52 |
| 09:06 | Illinois | Steven Bennett misses short on a floater from the right block but the foul's on Jeffrey McInnes - foul #1 on Jeffrey McInnes, team foul #6 | 56-52 |
| Subs | Illinois | Daniel Olsen (PF) Charles Howland | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Sam Rowe (C) Michael Niven | |
| 09:06 | Illinois | Steven Bennett misses the 1st free throw | 56-52 |
| 09:06 | Illinois | Steven Bennett misses the 2nd free throw | 56-52 |
| 09:06 | Ohio State | Sam Rowe grabs the board | 56-52 |
| 08:48 | Ohio State | John Spann is fouled on the floor by Daniel Olsen - foul #1 on Daniel Olsen, team foul #3 | 56-52 |
| 08:43 | Ohio State | Charles Wallace loses the dribble to Philip Custer | 56-52 |
| 08:22 | Illinois | Thomas Tew steals the ball from John Giancola | 56-52 |
| 08:02 | Ohio State | Thomas Tew makes the turnaround in the paint on a great pass from Charles Wallace | 56-54 |
| 07:35 | Illinois | Philip Custer can't connect on an uncontested shot from the right block | 56-54 |
| 07:34 | Illinois | The offensive rebound goes to Steven Bennett | 56-54 |
| 07:16 | Illinois | Daniel Olsen misses short on an open 3 from the left corner | 56-54 |
| 07:15 | Ohio State | Sam Rowe pulls down the rebound | 56-54 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Philip Custer (fairly fresh) 2 pts. SG - Bruce Hicks (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 3 ast. SF - John Giancola (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 3 reb. PF - Daniel Olsen (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 2 reb. C - Steven Bennett (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Jeffrey McInnes (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 1 ast. SG - Charles Wallace (tired) 12 pts. 2 ast. SF - John Spann (fairly fresh) 3 pts. PF - Thomas Tew (tiring) 4 pts. 2 reb. 3 stl. C - Sam Rowe (fairly fresh) 7 reb. | |
| 07:08 | Ohio State | John Giancola denies the turnaround by John Spann | 56-54 |
| 07:07 | Illinois | Bruce Hicks snags the defensive board | 56-54 |
| 06:38 | Illinois | Daniel Olsen is by himself and knocks in the 3 pointer from the right corner set up by Bruce Hicks | 59-54 |
| 06:15 | Ohio State | Jeffrey McInnes is hacked by Philip Custer - foul #1 on Philip Custer, team foul #4 | 59-54 |
| Subs | Illinois | Anthony Stevens (PG), Randy McGibbon (SG), Eugene Boyle (SF), Charles Howland (PF), Paul Wason (C) Philip Custer, Bruce Hicks, John Giancola, Daniel Olsen, Steven Bennett | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Ryan Tardiff (PG), Ryan Dodgen (SG), Stephen Burns (SF), Victor Wheatley (PF), Michael Niven (C) Jeffrey McInnes, Charles Wallace, John Spann, Thomas Tew, Sam Rowe | |
| 06:07 | Ohio State | Ryan Dodgen hits the front of the rim on the floater from the left block | 59-54 |
| 06:05 | Ohio State | Ryan Tardiff tips it in | 59-56 |
| 06:02 | Illinois | Victor Wheatley steps in front of the Randy McGibbon pass in the backcourt | 59-56 |
| 05:50 | Ohio State | Paul Wason picks off the pass by Ryan Dodgen | 59-56 |
| 05:30 | Illinois | Anthony Stevens misses short on a 3pt jumper from straight away | 59-56 |
| 05:29 | Illinois | Charles Howland snags the offensive board | 59-56 |
| 05:19 | Illinois | Charles Howland is fouled on the floor by Victor Wheatley - foul #3 on Victor Wheatley, team foul #7 | 59-56 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Ohio State | John Nelson (SF) Stephen Burns | |
| 05:19 | Illinois | Charles Howland makes the 1st free throw | 60-56 |
| 05:19 | Illinois | Charles Howland misses the 2nd free throw | 60-56 |
| 05:19 | Ohio State | Victor Wheatley grabs the defensive rebound | 60-56 |
| 05:13 | Ohio State | Anthony Stevens steals the ball from Ryan Dodgen | 60-56 |
| 05:09 | Illinois | Anthony Stevens lays it in | 62-56 |
| 04:54 | Ohio State | Ryan Dodgen clanks a fadeaway from the free throw line but he's hacked by Anthony Stevens - foul #4 on Anthony Stevens, team foul #5 | 62-56 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Stephen Burns (SF) Ryan Tardiff | |
| 04:54 | Ohio State | Ryan Dodgen misses the 1st free throw | 62-56 |
| 04:54 | Ohio State | Ryan Dodgen makes the 2nd free throw | 62-57 |
| 04:49 | Illinois | Eugene Boyle loses the dribble to John Nelson in the backcourt | 62-57 |
| 04:44 | Ohio State | Victor Wheatley is fouled on the floor by Charles Howland - foul #3 on Charles Howland, team foul #6 | 62-57 |
| 04:27 | Ohio State | Ryan Dodgen misses badly on a floater from the left wing | 62-57 |
| 04:26 | Illinois | Eugene Boyle gets the rebound | 62-57 |
| 04:21 | Illinois | John Nelson is called for the reach on Randy McGibbon in the backcourt - foul #1 on John Nelson, team foul #8 | 62-57 |
| Subs | Illinois | David Saylors (PF) Charles Howland | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Sam Rowe (C) Michael Niven | |
| 04:21 | Illinois | Randy McGibbon makes the 1st free throw | 63-57 |
| 04:21 | Illinois | Randy McGibbon makes the 2nd free throw | 64-57 |
| 04:06 | Ohio State | Victor Wheatley is hacked by David Saylors - foul #3 on David Saylors, team foul #7 | 64-57 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Charles Wallace (SG), John Spann (SF) Ryan Dodgen, Stephen Burns | |
| 04:06 | Ohio State | Victor Wheatley makes the 1st free throw | 64-58 |
| 04:06 | Ohio State | Victor Wheatley makes the 2nd free throw | 64-59 |
| 03:45 | Illinois | Randy McGibbon is hacked by Sam Rowe - foul #1 on Sam Rowe, team foul #9 | 64-59 |
| Subs | Illinois | John Giancola (SF) Eugene Boyle | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Ryan Tardiff (PG) John Nelson | |
| 03:45 | Illinois | Randy McGibbon makes the 1st free throw | 65-59 |
| 03:45 | Illinois | Randy McGibbon makes the 2nd free throw | 66-59 |
| 03:34 | Ohio State | John Spann makes the jumpshot from the right side on a nice dish by Ryan Tardiff | 66-61 |
| 03:05 | Illinois | Randy McGibbon hits a 3 pointer from the left corner on a nice dish by Anthony Stevens | 69-61 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Anthony Stevens (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 3 ast. 4 pf. SG - Randy McGibbon (tiring) 18 pts. 1 ast. SF - John Giancola (fresh) 9 pts. 3 reb. PF - David Saylors (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. 3 pf. C - Paul Wason (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Ryan Tardiff (fresh) 14 pts. 4 ast. 3 pf. SG - Charles Wallace (tired) 12 pts. 2 ast. SF - John Spann (fairly fresh) 5 pts. PF - Victor Wheatley (tiring) 6 pts. 5 reb. 3 pf. C - Sam Rowe (tiring) 7 reb. | |
| 02:50 | Ohio State | John Spann hits a jumpshot from the left side | 69-63 |
| 02:30 | Illinois | Randy McGibbon misses the 3pt attempt from the right corner | 69-63 |
| 02:28 | Ohio State | Victor Wheatley grabs the board | 69-63 |
| 02:22 | Ohio State | Sam Rowe double dribbles | 69-63 |
| Subs | Illinois | Bruce Hicks (PG), Daniel Olsen (SG), Eugene Boyle (SF), Charles Howland (C) Anthony Stevens, Randy McGibbon, John Giancola, Paul Wason | |
| Subs | Ohio State | John Nelson (PG), Ryan Dodgen (SG), Stephen Burns (SF), Thomas Tew (PF), Michael Niven (C) Ryan Tardiff, Charles Wallace, John Spann, Victor Wheatley, Sam Rowe | |
| 02:18 | Illinois | Bruce Hicks is fouled in the backcourt by John Nelson - foul #2 on John Nelson, team foul #10 | 69-63 |
| 02:18 | Illinois | Bruce Hicks makes the 1st free throw | 70-63 |
| 02:18 | Illinois | Bruce Hicks makes the 2nd free throw | 71-63 |
| 02:04 | Ohio State | Stephen Burns misses short on a fadeaway jumper from the free throw line | 71-63 |
| 02:02 | Ohio State | Michael Niven misses the tip | 71-63 |
| 02:00 | Illinois | David Saylors grabs the defensive rebound | 71-63 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a flex offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-3) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a triangle offense (uptempo) and intentionally fouling (-1) | |
| 01:59 | Illinois | David Saylors is hacked by John Nelson in the backcourt - foul #3 on John Nelson, team foul #11 | 71-63 |
| Subs | Illinois | Anthony Stevens (PG) Eugene Boyle | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Ryan Tardiff (PG), Charles Wallace (SG), Victor Wheatley (PF), Sam Rowe (C) John Nelson, Ryan Dodgen, Thomas Tew, Michael Niven | |
| 01:59 | Illinois | David Saylors makes the 1st free throw | 72-63 |
| 01:59 | Illinois | David Saylors makes the 2nd free throw | 73-63 |
| 01:51 | Ohio State | Anthony Stevens steals the ball from Charles Wallace | 73-63 |
| 01:49 | Illinois | Ryan Tardiff is called for the reach on Anthony Stevens in the backcourt - foul #4 on Ryan Tardiff, team foul #12 | 73-63 |
| 01:49 | Illinois | Anthony Stevens makes the 1st free throw | 74-63 |
| 01:49 | Illinois | Anthony Stevens makes the 2nd free throw | 75-63 |
| 01:27 | Ohio State | Ryan Tardiff banks in the layup | 75-65 |
| 01:25 | Illinois | Ryan Tardiff is called for the reach on Daniel Olsen in the backcourt - foul #5 on Ryan Tardiff, team foul #13 | 75-65 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Ohio State | John Nelson (PG) Ryan Tardiff | |
| 01:25 | Illinois | Daniel Olsen makes the 1st free throw | 76-65 |
| 01:25 | Illinois | Daniel Olsen makes the 2nd free throw | 77-65 |
| 01:16 | Ohio State | Charles Wallace can't connect on a 3pt jumper from the left corner | 77-65 |
| 01:15 | Illinois | Charles Howland snags the defensive board | 77-65 |
| 01:14 | Illinois | Charles Wallace is called for the reach on Charles Howland in the backcourt - foul #3 on Charles Wallace, team foul #14 | 77-65 |
| 01:14 | Illinois | Charles Howland misses the 1st free throw | 77-65 |
| 01:14 | Illinois | Charles Howland makes the 2nd free throw | 78-65 |
| 00:59 | Ohio State | Charles Wallace can't connect on a 3pt attempt from the left corner | 78-65 |
| 00:57 | Illinois | Bruce Hicks pulls down the rebound | 78-65 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (-3) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a triangle offense (uptempo) and a fullcourt press (-1) | |
| 00:30 | Illinois | Anthony Stevens misses badly on a jumpshot from the left wing | 78-65 |
| 00:29 | Illinois | Bruce Hicks gets the offensive rebound | 78-65 |
| 00:00 | Illinois | Anthony Stevens runs out the clock | 78-65 |