| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Michael Wagner (fresh) 2 ast. SG - Alfred Lee (fresh) 10 pts. SF - David Freeman (fresh) 7 pts. PF - Douglas Holmes (fresh) 5 pts. 2 reb. 2 blk. C - Brooks Karst (fresh) 2 pts. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Anthony Steffen (fresh) 9 pts. 1 ast. SG - Kevin Anderson (fresh) 2 stl. SF - Vincent Kuo (fresh) 5 pts. 3 reb. PF - John Riddle (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. C - Willard Davidson (fresh) 6 pts. | |
| 20:00 | Northwestern | Vincent Kuo inbounds the ball | 29-26 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a flex offense and a halfcourt press/2-3 zone (-1) | |
| 19:36 | Northwestern | Anthony Steffen buries a 3 pointer from the left corner on a nice dish by Kevin Anderson | 29-29 |
| 19:12 | Michigan State | Brooks Karst throws a bad pass out of bounds | 29-29 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Johnny Geise (SG), Walter McGavisk (SF), Timothy Bell (C) Alfred Lee, David Freeman, Brooks Karst | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 19:05 | Northwestern | Douglas Holmes steps in front of the John Riddle pass | 29-29 |
| 19:01 | Michigan State | Walter McGavisk hits a jumper from just outside the lane on a nice dish by Michael Wagner | 31-29 |
| 18:35 | Northwestern | Anthony Steffen's pass is intercepted by Johnny Geise | 31-29 |
| 18:32 | Michigan State | Johnny Geise lays it up and in | 33-29 |
| 18:18 | Northwestern | Walter McGavisk steals the ball from John Riddle | 33-29 |
| 18:05 | Michigan State | Douglas Holmes is open and scores on a turnaround near the basket set up by Michael Wagner | 35-29 |
| 17:50 | Northwestern | Anthony Steffen misses short on a 3 from the left corner | 35-29 |
| 17:48 | Michigan State | Timothy Bell gets the rebound | 35-29 |
| 17:21 | Michigan State | Walter McGavisk throws a bad pass out of bounds | 35-29 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Alfred Lee (PG), David Freeman (SF), John Patterson (PF), Brooks Karst (C) Michael Wagner, Walter McGavisk, Douglas Holmes, Timothy Bell | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 17:05 | Northwestern | John Riddle makes the floater from the baseline on a great pass from Vincent Kuo | 35-31 |
| 16:44 | Michigan State | David Freeman is open but comes up short on the 3 from straight away | 35-31 |
| 16:43 | Michigan State | Brooks Karst hits the follow up shot | 37-31 |
| 16:33 | Northwestern | Kevin Anderson hits a wide open 3pt jumper from the right wing | 37-34 |
| 16:14 | Michigan State | Brooks Karst scores on a turnaround from the baseline on a great pass from Alfred Lee and he's hacked by Kevin Anderson - foul #1 on Kevin Anderson, team foul #1 | 39-34 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Michael Wagner (PG), Douglas Holmes (PF) David Freeman, John Patterson | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 16:14 | Michigan State | Brooks Karst misses the free throw | 39-34 |
| 16:14 | Northwestern | Willard Davidson gets the rebound | 39-34 |
| 15:55 | Northwestern | John Riddle splits the doubleteam but misses short on a shot in the paint but he's fouled by Michael Wagner - foul #2 on Michael Wagner, team foul #1 | 39-34 |
| Subs | Michigan State | David Freeman (SF) Michael Wagner | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 15:55 | Northwestern | John Riddle makes the 1st free throw | 39-35 |
| 15:55 | Northwestern | John Riddle misses the 2nd free throw | 39-35 |
| 15:55 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to Douglas Holmes | 39-35 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Alfred Lee (fresh) 10 pts. 1 ast. SG - Johnny Geise (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 3 reb. SF - David Freeman (fresh) 7 pts. PF - Douglas Holmes (fresh) 7 pts. 3 reb. 2 blk. C - Brooks Karst (fresh) 6 pts. 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Anthony Steffen (fairly fresh) 12 pts. 1 ast. SG - Kevin Anderson (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. 2 stl. SF - Vincent Kuo (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 3 reb. PF - John Riddle (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 2 reb. C - Willard Davidson (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 2 reb. | |
| 15:32 | Michigan State | Douglas Holmes can't connect on an uncontested runner near the basket | 39-35 |
| 15:30 | Michigan State | Douglas Holmes gets the offensive rebound | 39-35 |
| 15:05 | Michigan State | Brooks Karst misses long on a jumper from the left side | 39-35 |
| 15:03 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to John Riddle | 39-35 |
| 14:56 | Northwestern | John Riddle evades the doubleteam and hits a fadeaway in the paint on a great pass from Kevin Anderson | 39-37 |
| 14:32 | Michigan State | Johnny Geise scores on a jumper from just outside the lane on a great pass from Alfred Lee and he's hacked by Anthony Steffen - foul #2 on Anthony Steffen, team foul #2 | 41-37 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Michael Wagner (PG), Walter McGavisk (SF), John Patterson (PF) Alfred Lee, David Freeman, Douglas Holmes | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Robert Carter (SF) Vincent Kuo | |
| 14:32 | Michigan State | Johnny Geise makes the free throw | 42-37 |
| 14:23 | Northwestern | Kevin Anderson is fouled on the floor by Michael Wagner - foul #3 on Michael Wagner, team foul #2 | 42-37 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Alfred Lee (SG) Johnny Geise | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 14:13 | Northwestern | Willard Davidson lays it in on a great pass from Robert Carter | 42-39 |
| 13:47 | Michigan State | Brooks Karst blows the wide open layup | 42-39 |
| 13:46 | Michigan State | Brooks Karst hits the follow up shot | 44-39 |
| 13:29 | Northwestern | Willard Davidson is fouled on the floor by John Patterson - foul #2 on John Patterson, team foul #3 | 44-39 |
| Subs | Michigan State | David Freeman (SF), Douglas Holmes (PF), Timothy Bell (C) Alfred Lee, John Patterson, Brooks Karst | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Alberto Costa (SG) Kevin Anderson | |
| 13:07 | Northwestern | Alberto Costa clanks a floater from the left wing | 44-39 |
| 13:05 | Michigan State | Walter McGavisk snags the defensive board | 44-39 |
| 12:36 | Michigan State | David Freeman hits a 3 pointer from the left corner | 47-39 |
| 12:23 | Northwestern | John Riddle evades the doubleteam but misses long on a jumpshot from the free throw line | 47-39 |
| 12:21 | Northwestern | Alberto Costa grabs the offensive rebound | 47-39 |
| 12:13 | Northwestern | John Riddle buries a jump hook from close range | 47-41 |
| 11:45 | Michigan State | Timothy Bell buries a fadeaway jumper from the right wing set up by Walter McGavisk | 49-41 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Michael Wagner (fresh) 4 ast. 3 pf. SG - Walter McGavisk (fresh) 2 pts. SF - David Freeman (fresh) 10 pts. PF - Douglas Holmes (fresh) 7 pts. 4 reb. 2 blk. C - Timothy Bell (fresh) 3 pts. 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Anthony Steffen (tiring) 12 pts. 1 ast. SG - Alberto Costa (fresh) SF - Robert Carter (fairly fresh) PF - John Riddle (tiring) 9 pts. 3 reb. C - Willard Davidson (tiring) 8 pts. 2 reb. | |
| 11:25 | Northwestern | John Riddle comes up short on the jump hook near the basket | 49-41 |
| 11:24 | Michigan State | Douglas Holmes snags the defensive board | 49-41 |
| 10:59 | Michigan State | Michael Wagner makes the 3pt shot from the right wing on a nice dish by Walter McGavisk | 52-41 |
| 10:45 | Northwestern | John Riddle misses the easy layup but he's hacked by Douglas Holmes - foul #2 on Douglas Holmes, team foul #4 | 52-41 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Alfred Lee (PG), Johnny Geise (SG), John Patterson (PF), Brooks Karst (C) Michael Wagner, David Freeman, Douglas Holmes, Timothy Bell | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Matthew McGraw (PG), Kevin Anderson (SG), Vincent Kuo (SF), Warren Cash (C) Anthony Steffen, Alberto Costa, Robert Carter, Willard Davidson | |
| 10:45 | Northwestern | John Riddle makes the 1st free throw | 52-42 |
| 10:45 | Northwestern | John Riddle misses the 2nd free throw | 52-42 |
| 10:45 | Michigan State | Brooks Karst snags the defensive board | 52-42 |
| 10:24 | Michigan State | Johnny Geise hits a jumper from the right side on a great pass from Alfred Lee | 54-42 |
| 10:10 | Northwestern | Warren Cash is wide open but clanks a jumper from the free throw line | 54-42 |
| 10:08 | Michigan State | Brooks Karst grabs the defensive rebound | 54-42 |
| 09:51 | Michigan State | John Riddle is called for the reach on Walter McGavisk - foul #2 on John Riddle, team foul #3 | 54-42 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Michael Wagner (PG), Douglas Holmes (PF) Walter McGavisk, John Patterson | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Matthew Teer (PF) John Riddle | |
| 09:35 | Michigan State | Johnny Geise comes up short on the pull-up jumper from the right wing | 54-42 |
| 09:33 | Michigan State | Douglas Holmes grabs the offensive board | 54-42 |
| 09:17 | Michigan State | Brooks Karst's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 54-42 |
| Subs | Michigan State | John Patterson (PF) Douglas Holmes | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 09:15 | Northwestern | Michael Wagner is called for the reach on Matthew McGraw in the backcourt - foul #4 on Michael Wagner, team foul #5 | 54-42 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Walter McGavisk (SF) Michael Wagner | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 09:07 | Northwestern | Brooks Karst steps in front of the Warren Cash pass | 54-42 |
| 08:47 | Michigan State | Alfred Lee misses the wide open 3pt shot from the right corner | 54-42 |
| 08:45 | Michigan State | The offensive rebound goes to Johnny Geise | 54-42 |
| 08:16 | Michigan State | The jump hook by Alfred Lee is blocked by Warren Cash | 54-42 |
| 08:14 | Northwestern | Matthew McGraw snags the defensive board | 54-42 |
| 07:54 | Northwestern | Vincent Kuo's floater is knocked away by Brooks Karst | 54-42 |
| 07:53 | Northwestern | Vincent Kuo tips it but misses | 54-42 |
| 07:51 | Michigan State | Alfred Lee snags the defensive board | 54-42 |
| 07:26 | Michigan State | John Patterson is fouled on the floor by Matthew Teer - foul #1 on Matthew Teer, team foul #4 | 54-42 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Michael Wagner (PG), David Freeman (SF), Douglas Holmes (PF) Johnny Geise, Walter McGavisk, John Patterson | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Anthony Steffen (PG), Robert Carter (SF), Willard Davidson (C) Matthew McGraw, Vincent Kuo, Warren Cash | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Michael Wagner (fresh) 3 pts. 4 ast. 4 pf. SG - Alfred Lee (fairly fresh) 10 pts. 3 ast. SF - David Freeman (fresh) 10 pts. PF - Douglas Holmes (fresh) 7 pts. 6 reb. 2 blk. C - Brooks Karst (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 5 reb. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Anthony Steffen (fairly fresh) 12 pts. 1 ast. SG - Kevin Anderson (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SF - Robert Carter (fresh) PF - Matthew Teer (fresh) 3 reb. C - Willard Davidson (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 2 reb. | |
| 07:07 | Michigan State | Brooks Karst's pass is intercepted by Willard Davidson | 54-42 |
| 06:47 | Northwestern | Robert Carter scores on a floater from the left wing | 54-44 |
| 06:25 | Michigan State | Anthony Steffen is called for the reach on Michael Wagner - foul #3 on Anthony Steffen, team foul #5 | 54-44 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Johnny Geise (SG) Alfred Lee | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Alberto Costa (SG), John Riddle (PF) Kevin Anderson, Matthew Teer | |
| 06:00 | Michigan State | Alberto Costa is called for the reach on Michael Wagner - foul #3 on Alberto Costa, team foul #6 | 54-44 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Alfred Lee (SG) David Freeman | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 05:41 | Michigan State | Johnny Geise is hacked by Robert Carter - foul #2 on Robert Carter, team foul #7 | 54-44 |
| 05:41 | Michigan State | Johnny Geise makes the 1st free throw | 55-44 |
| 05:41 | Michigan State | Johnny Geise makes the 2nd free throw | 56-44 |
| 05:22 | Northwestern | Willard Davidson is called for 3 seconds in the lane | 56-44 |
| Subs | Michigan State | David Freeman (SF), Timothy Bell (C) Johnny Geise, Brooks Karst | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Vincent Kuo (SF) Robert Carter | |
| 05:07 | Michigan State | David Freeman misses long on a 3pt attempt from straight away | 56-44 |
| 05:05 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Anthony Steffen | 56-44 |
| 04:45 | Northwestern | Vincent Kuo misses short on a 3pt attempt from straight away | 56-44 |
| 04:44 | Michigan State | Timothy Bell grabs the board | 56-44 |
| 04:21 | Michigan State | David Freeman is whistled for traveling | 56-44 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Johnny Geise (SG), Brooks Karst (C) Alfred Lee, Timothy Bell | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Kevin Anderson (SG), Warren Cash (C) Alberto Costa, Willard Davidson | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a flex offense (uptempo) and a halfcourt press/2-3 zone (-1) | |
| 04:09 | Northwestern | John Riddle drills a driving attempt in the paint on a nice dish by Anthony Steffen | 56-46 |
| 04:02 | Michigan State | Johnny Geise clanks a pull-up jumper from the left side | 56-46 |
| 04:00 | Northwestern | Anthony Steffen gets the rebound | 56-46 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a flex offense and a halfcourt press/2-3 zone (-1) | |
| 03:43 | Northwestern | John Riddle is bothered by a doubleteam and misses badly on a jump hook in the paint | 56-46 |
| 03:42 | Michigan State | Douglas Holmes grabs the defensive rebound | 56-46 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a flex offense and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| 03:13 | Michigan State | Anthony Steffen steals it from Douglas Holmes | 56-46 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Michael Wagner (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 4 ast. 4 pf. SG - Johnny Geise (fresh) 11 pts. 4 reb. SF - David Freeman (fresh) 10 pts. PF - Douglas Holmes (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 7 reb. 2 blk. C - Brooks Karst (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 5 reb. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Anthony Steffen (tiring) 12 pts. 2 ast. 3 pf. SG - Kevin Anderson (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SF - Vincent Kuo (tiring) 5 pts. 4 reb. PF - John Riddle (fairly fresh) 12 pts. 3 reb. C - Warren Cash (fresh) 4 pts. 3 reb. | |
| 02:50 | Northwestern | Warren Cash hits the front of the rim on the jumper in the lane | 56-46 |
| 02:48 | Michigan State | Douglas Holmes pulls down the rebound | 56-46 |
| 02:21 | Michigan State | David Freeman misses short on an open jumper near the basket | 56-46 |
| 02:20 | Northwestern | Warren Cash grabs the defensive rebound | 56-46 |
| 01:58 | Northwestern | John Riddle's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 56-46 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Alfred Lee (SG) Johnny Geise | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Matthew McGraw (PG), Alberto Costa (SG), Robert Carter (SF), Matthew Teer (PF) Anthony Steffen, Kevin Anderson, Vincent Kuo, John Riddle | |
| 01:56 | Michigan State | Brooks Karst is whistled for traveling in the backcourt | 56-46 |
| 01:40 | Northwestern | Warren Cash knocks in the floater from the right side on a nice dish by Matthew McGraw | 56-48 |
| 01:38 | Michigan State | Alberto Costa steals it from Michael Wagner in the backcourt | 56-48 |
| 01:38 | Northwestern | Northwestern calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 56-48 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Anthony Steffen (PG), Kevin Anderson (SG), Vincent Kuo (SF), John Riddle (PF), Willard Davidson (C) Matthew McGraw, Alberto Costa, Robert Carter, Matthew Teer, Warren Cash | |
| 01:21 | Northwestern | Vincent Kuo is bothered by a doubleteam and misses badly on a 3 from the left corner | 56-48 |
| 01:19 | Northwestern | Anthony Steffen tips it in | 56-50 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a flex offense and a halfcourt press/2-3 zone (-1) | |
| 00:52 | Michigan State | David Freeman is hacked by Willard Davidson - foul #2 on Willard Davidson, team foul #8 | 56-50 |
| 00:52 | Michigan State | David Freeman misses the 1st free throw | 56-50 |
| 00:52 | Northwestern | Willard Davidson gets the rebound | 56-50 |
| 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 quick shot offense (quick shot) and a halfcourt press/2-3 zone (-1) | |
| 00:46 | Northwestern | John Riddle evades the doubleteam but misses long on a jumpshot from the free throw line but the foul's on Brooks Karst - foul #1 on Brooks Karst, team foul #6 | 56-50 |
| 00:46 | Northwestern | John Riddle misses the 1st free throw | 56-50 |
| 00:46 | Northwestern | John Riddle makes the 2nd free throw | 56-51 |
| 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 quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (-1) | |
| 00:44 | Michigan State | Michael Wagner is hacked by Anthony Steffen in the backcourt - foul #4 on Anthony Steffen, team foul #9 | 56-51 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Walter McGavisk (SG) Alfred Lee | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 00:44 | Michigan State | Michael Wagner misses the 1st free throw | 56-51 |
| 00:44 | Northwestern | Kevin Anderson grabs the board | 56-51 |
| 00:38 | Northwestern | Willard Davidson misses badly on a fadeaway from the baseline but he's hacked by Brooks Karst - foul #2 on Brooks Karst, team foul #7 | 56-51 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Alfred Lee (SG) Walter McGavisk | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 00:38 | Northwestern | Willard Davidson makes the 1st free throw | 56-52 |
| 00:38 | Northwestern | Willard Davidson makes the 2nd free throw | 56-53 |
| 00:36 | Michigan State | Michael Wagner is fouled in the backcourt by Anthony Steffen - foul #5 on Anthony Steffen, team foul #10 | 56-53 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Matthew McGraw (PG) Anthony Steffen | |
| 00:36 | Michigan State | Michael Wagner makes the 1st free throw | 57-53 |
| 00:36 | Michigan State | Michael Wagner makes the 2nd free throw | 58-53 |
| 00:31 | Northwestern | Kevin Anderson misses long on an open 3 from the right corner | 58-53 |
| 00:30 | Michigan State | Michael Wagner snags the defensive board | 58-53 |
| 00:28 | Michigan State | Michael Wagner is fouled in the backcourt by Kevin Anderson - foul #2 on Kevin Anderson, team foul #11 | 58-53 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Walter McGavisk (PF) Douglas Holmes | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 00:28 | Michigan State | Michael Wagner makes the 1st free throw | 59-53 |
| 00:28 | Michigan State | Michael Wagner makes the 2nd free throw | 60-53 |
| 00:21 | Northwestern | Matthew McGraw misses long on a 3pt attempt from straight away | 60-53 |
| 00:20 | Northwestern | Vincent Kuo grabs the offensive rebound | 60-53 |
| 00:18 | Northwestern | Matthew McGraw hits the front of the rim on the 3pt jumper from the right wing | 60-53 |
| 00:16 | Northwestern | Vincent Kuo snags the offensive board | 60-53 |
| 00:14 | Northwestern | Matthew McGraw knocks in the 3 pointer from the left corner set up by Vincent Kuo | 60-56 |
| 00:12 | Michigan State | Matthew McGraw is called for the reach on Walter McGavisk in the backcourt - foul #1 on Matthew McGraw, team foul #12 | 60-56 |
| 00:12 | Michigan State | Walter McGavisk makes the 1st free throw | 61-56 |
| 00:12 | Michigan State | Walter McGavisk makes the 2nd free throw | 62-56 |
| 00:06 | Northwestern | Kevin Anderson's pass is intercepted by Alfred Lee | 62-56 |
| 00:02 | Michigan State | Michael Wagner banks in the layup on a great pass from Alfred Lee | 64-56 |
| 00:00 | Northwestern | Matthew McGraw misses the fullcourt shot | 64-56 |