| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Leonard Thompson (fresh) 3 pts. 3 ast. SG - Patrick Wilkinson (fresh) SF - Walter Knowles (fresh) 12 pts. 4 reb. PF - Clarence Opitz (fresh) 4 pts. 4 reb. 2 blk. C - Jonathan Chappell (fresh) 3 reb. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Charles Frazier (fresh) 7 pts. SG - David Brock (fresh) 3 pts. 2 ast. SF - Donald Donnell (fresh) 6 pts. 2 reb. PF - Larry Boyd (fresh) 2 reb. C - Jordan Priest (fresh) 9 pts. 3 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Michigan State | Walter Knowles inbounds the ball | 33-36 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a motion offense and a man to man (-3) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a triangle offense and a halfcourt press/2-3 zone (-2) | |
| 19:40 | Michigan State | Walter Knowles misses the 3 pointer from the left wing | 33-36 |
| 19:39 | Northwestern | Jordan Priest snags the defensive board | 33-36 |
| 19:18 | Northwestern | Donald Donnell drills a jumpshot from the left wing on a nice dish by David Brock | 33-38 |
| 19:02 | Michigan State | Walter Knowles clanks a floater from the free throw line | 33-38 |
| 19:01 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Larry Boyd | 33-38 |
| 18:55 | Northwestern | Charles Frazier is whistled for an offensive foul - foul #1 on Charles Frazier, team foul #1 | 33-38 |
| 18:48 | Michigan State | Walter Knowles scores on a 3pt attempt from the left corner on a great pass from Leonard Thompson | 36-38 |
| 18:26 | Northwestern | Larry Boyd buries a pull-up jumper from the free throw line set up by Donald Donnell | 36-40 |
| 18:08 | Michigan State | Jordan Priest steals it from Patrick Wilkinson | 36-40 |
| 17:42 | Northwestern | Walter Knowles swats the layup by Jordan Priest | 36-40 |
| 17:41 | Northwestern | Jordan Priest pulls down the offensive rebound | 36-40 |
| 17:24 | Northwestern | The short jumper by Jordan Priest is denied by Clarence Opitz | 36-40 |
| 17:23 | Michigan State | Jonathan Chappell gets the rebound | 36-40 |
| 17:12 | Michigan State | Leonard Thompson comes up short on the jumper from the left side but he's hacked by David Brock - foul #1 on David Brock, team foul #2 | 36-40 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Michael Glass (SG), John Kindel (SF), Andrew Wilson (PF), Patrick Weissman (C) Patrick Wilkinson, Walter Knowles, Clarence Opitz, Jonathan Chappell | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 17:12 | Michigan State | Leonard Thompson makes the 1st free throw | 37-40 |
| 17:12 | Michigan State | Leonard Thompson makes the 2nd free throw | 38-40 |
| 16:51 | Northwestern | Larry Boyd hits the front of the rim on the driving attempt in the lane but he's hacked by Andrew Wilson - foul #2 on Andrew Wilson, team foul #1 | 38-40 |
| 16:51 | Northwestern | Larry Boyd misses the 1st free throw | 38-40 |
| 16:51 | Northwestern | Larry Boyd makes the 2nd free throw | 38-41 |
| 16:36 | Michigan State | Leonard Thompson hits a floater from the free throw line on a nice dish by Andrew Wilson | 40-41 |
| 16:15 | Northwestern | Jordan Priest's pass is intercepted by John Kindel | 40-41 |
| 15:57 | Michigan State | Jordan Priest is called for the reach on John Kindel - foul #1 on Jordan Priest, team foul #3 | 40-41 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Leonard Thompson (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 4 ast. SG - Michael Glass (fresh) SF - John Kindel (fresh) 4 pts. PF - Andrew Wilson (fresh) 4 pts. 3 reb. C - Patrick Weissman (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Charles Frazier (fairly fresh) 7 pts. SG - David Brock (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 3 ast. SF - Donald Donnell (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 2 reb. PF - Larry Boyd (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 3 reb. C - Jordan Priest (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 5 reb. 2 stl. | |
| 15:42 | Michigan State | John Kindel misses short on a shot from the right wing but he's fouled by Donald Donnell - foul #2 on Donald Donnell, team foul #4 | 40-41 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Jonathan Chappell (C) Patrick Weissman | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 15:42 | Michigan State | John Kindel makes the 1st free throw | 41-41 |
| 15:42 | Michigan State | John Kindel makes the 2nd free throw | 42-41 |
| 15:25 | Northwestern | Larry Boyd drills a jumper from just outside the lane set up by Charles Frazier | 42-43 |
| 15:05 | Michigan State | Jonathan Chappell drills a floater from the right wing on a nice dish by John Kindel | 44-43 |
| 14:54 | Northwestern | Larry Boyd clanks a jumper from the free throw line but he's hacked by Andrew Wilson - foul #3 on Andrew Wilson, team foul #2 | 44-43 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Patrick Wilkinson (SG), Walter Knowles (SF), Clarence Opitz (PF) Leonard Thompson, Michael Glass, Andrew Wilson | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 14:54 | Northwestern | Larry Boyd misses the 1st free throw | 44-43 |
| 14:54 | Northwestern | Larry Boyd misses the 2nd free throw | 44-43 |
| 14:54 | Michigan State | Clarence Opitz gets the rebound | 44-43 |
| 14:31 | Michigan State | Jonathan Chappell loses the ball out of bounds | 44-43 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Leonard Thompson (PG), Patrick Weissman (C) John Kindel, Jonathan Chappell | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Robert Connery (SG), Gerald Moss (PF) David Brock, Larry Boyd | |
| 14:12 | Northwestern | Jordan Priest's dunk attempt is rejected by Patrick Weissman | 44-43 |
| 14:11 | Michigan State | Walter Knowles snags the defensive board | 44-43 |
| 13:53 | Michigan State | Walter Knowles hits the front of the rim on the 3 pointer from the left corner | 44-43 |
| 13:51 | Michigan State | Clarence Opitz tips it back up and in | 46-43 |
| 13:23 | Northwestern | Gerald Moss hits a runner from the left block set up by Robert Connery | 46-45 |
| 13:04 | Michigan State | Patrick Wilkinson double dribbles | 46-45 |
| Subs | Michigan State | John Kindel (PG), Andrew Wilson (SF), Christopher Baker (PF), Jonathan Chappell (C) Leonard Thompson, Walter Knowles, Clarence Opitz, Patrick Weissman | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Tim Kraker (PG), David Brock (SG), Trevor Mercer (SF), Gerald Woodie (C) Charles Frazier, Robert Connery, Donald Donnell, Jordan Priest | |
| 12:39 | Northwestern | David Brock loses the dribble to Andrew Wilson | 46-45 |
| 12:35 | Michigan State | John Kindel misses the runner in the paint | 46-45 |
| 12:34 | Northwestern | Gerald Moss pulls down the rebound | 46-45 |
| 12:12 | Northwestern | Gerald Moss makes the fadeaway jumper from the right side | 46-47 |
| 11:54 | Michigan State | Andrew Wilson misses badly on a fadeaway jumper from the right wing | 46-47 |
| 11:52 | Michigan State | Andrew Wilson tips it back up and in | 48-47 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - John Kindel (fresh) 6 pts. SG - Patrick Wilkinson (fairly fresh) SF - Andrew Wilson (fresh) 6 pts. 4 reb. 2 stl. 3 pf. PF - Christopher Baker (fresh) 4 pts. C - Jonathan Chappell (fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Tim Kraker (fresh) 5 pts. SG - David Brock (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 3 ast. SF - Trevor Mercer (fresh) PF - Gerald Moss (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 2 reb. C - Gerald Woodie (fresh) | |
| 11:30 | Northwestern | John Kindel steps in front of the Trevor Mercer pass | 48-47 |
| 11:09 | Michigan State | The jumper by Patrick Wilkinson is denied by Trevor Mercer | 48-47 |
| 11:07 | Michigan State | John Kindel gets the offensive rebound | 48-47 |
| 10:51 | Michigan State | Andrew Wilson misses the shot from the left side but the foul's on Gerald Woodie - foul #1 on Gerald Woodie, team foul #5 | 48-47 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Leonard Thompson (PG), Michael Glass (SG), Walter Knowles (SF), Patrick Weissman (C) John Kindel, Patrick Wilkinson, Christopher Baker, Jonathan Chappell | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Charles Frazier (PG), Robert Connery (SG), Donald Donnell (SF), Larry Boyd (PF), Jordan Priest (C) Tim Kraker, David Brock, Trevor Mercer, Gerald Moss, Gerald Woodie | |
| 10:51 | Michigan State | Andrew Wilson misses the 1st free throw | 48-47 |
| 10:51 | Michigan State | Andrew Wilson misses the 2nd free throw | 48-47 |
| 10:51 | Northwestern | Larry Boyd gets the rebound | 48-47 |
| 10:23 | Northwestern | Donald Donnell throws a bad pass out of bounds | 48-47 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Clarence Opitz (PF) Andrew Wilson | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 10:06 | Michigan State | Michael Glass is whistled for a carry | 48-47 |
| 09:53 | Northwestern | Donald Donnell misses short on a floater from the left wing | 48-47 |
| 09:52 | Northwestern | Jordan Priest tips it back up and in | 48-49 |
| 09:41 | Michigan State | Jordan Priest is called for the reach on Patrick Weissman - foul #2 on Jordan Priest, team foul #6 | 48-49 |
| 09:26 | Michigan State | Leonard Thompson misses short on a 3 from the right corner | 48-49 |
| 09:25 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Jordan Priest | 48-49 |
| 09:16 | Northwestern | Jordan Priest connects on the jumper in the paint on a nice dish by Charles Frazier | 48-51 |
| 08:53 | Michigan State | Clarence Opitz scores on a 3pt jumper from the right corner | 51-51 |
| 08:30 | Northwestern | Jordan Priest hits the front of the rim on the jumper from the left wing | 51-51 |
| 08:29 | Northwestern | Jordan Priest tips it but misses | 51-51 |
| 08:27 | Michigan State | Leonard Thompson grabs the board | 51-51 |
| 08:15 | Michigan State | Patrick Weissman misses badly on a floater from the free throw line | 51-51 |
| 08:13 | Northwestern | Jordan Priest grabs the board | 51-51 |
| 07:55 | Northwestern | Jordan Priest clanks a jumper from the right wing | 51-51 |
| 07:53 | Michigan State | Walter Knowles snags the defensive board | 51-51 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Leonard Thompson (tiring) 7 pts. 4 ast. SG - Michael Glass (fairly fresh) SF - Walter Knowles (fairly fresh) 15 pts. 6 reb. PF - Clarence Opitz (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 6 reb. 3 blk. C - Patrick Weissman (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Charles Frazier (tiring) 7 pts. 2 ast. SG - Robert Connery (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 1 ast. SF - Donald Donnell (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 2 reb. PF - Larry Boyd (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 4 reb. C - Jordan Priest (fairly fresh) 13 pts. 9 reb. 2 stl. | |
| 07:39 | Michigan State | Patrick Weissman is open but misses the lay-in | 51-51 |
| 07:37 | Michigan State | Clarence Opitz grabs the offensive board | 51-51 |
| 07:21 | Michigan State | Jordan Priest is called for the reach on Walter Knowles - foul #3 on Jordan Priest, team foul #7 | 51-51 |
| Subs | Michigan State | John Kindel (PG), Patrick Wilkinson (SG), Andrew Wilson (PF), Jonathan Chappell (C) Leonard Thompson, Michael Glass, Clarence Opitz, Patrick Weissman | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Tim Kraker (PG), David Brock (SG), Gerald Moss (PF), Gerald Woodie (C) Charles Frazier, Robert Connery, Larry Boyd, Jordan Priest | |
| 07:21 | Michigan State | Walter Knowles misses the 1st free throw | 51-51 |
| 07:21 | Northwestern | Gerald Moss snags the defensive board | 51-51 |
| 07:09 | Northwestern | David Brock drills a 3pt shot from the left wing on a great pass from Tim Kraker | 51-54 |
| 06:49 | Michigan State | John Kindel misses badly on a floater from the right wing | 51-54 |
| 06:47 | Michigan State | Jonathan Chappell tips it but misses | 51-54 |
| 06:45 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to David Brock | 51-54 |
| 06:32 | Northwestern | David Brock misses long on a 3pt jumper from the right corner | 51-54 |
| 06:30 | Northwestern | Tim Kraker tips it in | 51-56 |
| 06:10 | Michigan State | Andrew Wilson misses the easy layup | 51-56 |
| 06:08 | Northwestern | Donald Donnell snags the defensive board | 51-56 |
| 05:42 | Northwestern | Donald Donnell misses long on a driving attempt from close range but the foul's on Walter Knowles - foul #3 on Walter Knowles, team foul #3 | 51-56 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Christopher Baker (PF) Walter Knowles | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Charles Frazier (PG), Larry Boyd (PF), Jordan Priest (C) Tim Kraker, Gerald Moss, Gerald Woodie | |
| 05:42 | Northwestern | Donald Donnell makes the 1st free throw | 51-57 |
| 05:42 | Northwestern | Donald Donnell makes the 2nd free throw | 51-58 |
| 05:27 | Michigan State | Andrew Wilson misses short on a jumper from the right block but he's hacked by Jordan Priest - foul #4 on Jordan Priest, team foul #8 | 51-58 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Trevor Mercer (SF) Donald Donnell | |
| 05:27 | Michigan State | Andrew Wilson misses the 1st free throw | 51-58 |
| 05:27 | Michigan State | Andrew Wilson makes the 2nd free throw | 52-58 |
| 05:15 | Northwestern | David Brock connects on the 3 pointer from straight away on a nice dish by Trevor Mercer | 52-61 |
| 05:01 | Michigan State | Patrick Wilkinson's pass is intercepted by Jordan Priest | 52-61 |
| 04:40 | Northwestern | Jonathan Chappell blocks the jumper by Larry Boyd | 52-61 |
| 04:39 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to Jonathan Chappell | 52-61 |
| 04:15 | Michigan State | Christopher Baker misses the jumper from the baseline | 52-61 |
| 04:13 | Michigan State | John Kindel gets the offensive rebound | 52-61 |
| 03:54 | Michigan State | Jonathan Chappell hits the finger roll on a nice dish by John Kindel | 54-61 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - John Kindel (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 3 reb. 2 stl. SG - Patrick Wilkinson (fairly fresh) SF - Andrew Wilson (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 4 reb. 2 stl. 3 pf. PF - Christopher Baker (fresh) 4 pts. C - Jonathan Chappell (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 6 reb. 3 blk. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Charles Frazier (tiring) 7 pts. 2 ast. SG - David Brock (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 3 ast. SF - Trevor Mercer (fresh) PF - Larry Boyd (tiring) 5 pts. 4 reb. C - Jordan Priest (fairly fresh) 13 pts. 9 reb. 3 stl. 4 pf. | |
| 03:25 | Northwestern | David Brock clanks a 3 from the right corner | 54-61 |
| 03:24 | Northwestern | Charles Frazier tips it but misses | 54-61 |
| 03:23 | Northwestern | Jordan Priest tips it but misses | 54-61 |
| 03:21 | Michigan State | Patrick Wilkinson pulls down the rebound | 54-61 |
| 03:21 | Michigan State | Michigan State calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 54-61 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Leonard Thompson (PG), Michael Glass (SG), Clarence Opitz (PF), Patrick Weissman (C) Patrick Wilkinson, Andrew Wilson, Christopher Baker, Jonathan Chappell | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Donald Donnell (SF) Trevor Mercer | |
| 03:04 | Michigan State | Leonard Thompson misses the wide open 3pt jumper from the left corner | 54-61 |
| 03:03 | Michigan State | The offensive rebound goes to Patrick Weissman | 54-61 |
| 02:48 | Michigan State | Clarence Opitz throws a bad pass out of bounds | 54-61 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Walter Knowles (SF) John Kindel | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 02:30 | Northwestern | Jordan Priest knocks in the jump hook near the basket | 54-63 |
| 02:30 | Michigan State | Michigan State calls a full timeout (2 :30 2 full remaining) | 54-63 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Patrick Wilkinson (SG), Jonathan Chappell (C) Michael Glass, Patrick Weissman | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 02:13 | Michigan State | Jonathan Chappell misses long on a runner near the basket but he's fouled by Charles Frazier - foul #2 on Charles Frazier, team foul #9 | 54-63 |
| 02:13 | Michigan State | Jonathan Chappell misses the 1st free throw | 54-63 |
| 02:13 | Michigan State | Jonathan Chappell makes the 2nd free throw | 55-63 |
| 01:57 | Northwestern | Charles Frazier throws a bad pass out of bounds | 55-63 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a man to man (-3) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a triangle offense and a 3-2 zone (-1) | |
| 01:40 | Michigan State | Jordan Priest picks off the pass by Patrick Wilkinson | 55-63 |
| 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 triangle offense (slowdown) and a 3-2 zone (-1) | |
| 01:19 | Northwestern | Donald Donnell is called for the illegal screen - foul #3 on Donald Donnell, team foul #10 | 55-63 |
| 01:02 | Michigan State | Donald Donnell steals it from Jonathan Chappell | 55-63 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and intentionally fouling (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 3-2 zone (-1) | |
| 00:59 | Northwestern | Jonathan Chappell is called for the reach on Charles Frazier - foul #2 on Jonathan Chappell, team foul #4 | 55-63 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Richard Rathjen (SG), Trevor Mercer (PF) David Brock, Larry Boyd | |
| 00:57 | Northwestern | Donald Donnell is hacked by Patrick Wilkinson - foul #2 on Patrick Wilkinson, team foul #5 | 55-63 |
| 00:54 | Northwestern | Walter Knowles is called for the reach on Trevor Mercer - foul #4 on Walter Knowles, team foul #6 | 55-63 |
| 00:52 | Northwestern | Richard Rathjen is hacked by Patrick Wilkinson - foul #3 on Patrick Wilkinson, team foul #7 | 55-63 |
| 00:52 | Northwestern | Richard Rathjen makes the 1st free throw | 55-64 |
| 00:52 | Northwestern | Richard Rathjen makes the 2nd free throw | 55-65 |
| 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 3-2 zone (-1) | |
| 00:47 | Michigan State | Jonathan Chappell buries a shot from the free throw line | 57-65 |
| 00:47 | Northwestern | Northwestern calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 57-65 |
| 00:45 | Northwestern | Donald Donnell is fouled in the backcourt by Leonard Thompson - foul #3 on Leonard Thompson, team foul #8 | 57-65 |
| 00:45 | Northwestern | Donald Donnell makes the 1st free throw | 57-66 |
| 00:45 | Northwestern | Donald Donnell makes the 2nd free throw | 57-67 |
| 00:39 | Michigan State | Walter Knowles loses the ball out of bounds | 57-67 |
| Subs | Michigan State | John Kindel (PG), Michael Glass (SG), Andrew Wilson (SF), Christopher Baker (PF), Patrick Weissman (C) Leonard Thompson, Patrick Wilkinson, Walter Knowles, Clarence Opitz, Jonathan Chappell | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 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 3-2 zone (-1) | |
| 00:18 | Northwestern | Jordan Priest is hacked by Andrew Wilson - foul #4 on Andrew Wilson, team foul #9 | 57-67 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | David Brock (SG), Larry Boyd (PF) Richard Rathjen, Trevor Mercer | |
| 00:18 | Northwestern | Jordan Priest makes the 1st free throw | 57-68 |
| 00:18 | Northwestern | Jordan Priest makes the 2nd free throw | 57-69 |
| 00:12 | Michigan State | Andrew Wilson scores on a fadeaway from just outside the lane set up by John Kindel | 59-69 |
| 00:00 | Northwestern | Charles Frazier runs out the clock | 59-69 |