| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Leonard Walker (fresh) SG - Gerald Bryant (fresh) SF - Rick Drury (fresh) PF - Steven Coulter (fresh) C - Felix Cole (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Edward Sugg (fresh) SG - Joseph McNeer (fresh) SF - Bradley Barnette (fresh) PF - James Kostka (fresh) C - Jimmie Williams (fresh) | |
| 20:00 | Michigan State | James Kostka wins the tip | 0-0 |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (0) | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (0) | |
| 19:37 | Michigan State | Joseph McNeer hits the front of the rim on the wide open shot in the lane | 0-0 |
| 19:36 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Rick Drury | 0-0 |
| 19:25 | Northwestern | Gerald Bryant misses long on a jumper from the free throw line | 0-0 |
| 19:24 | Michigan State | Joseph McNeer grabs the defensive rebound | 0-0 |
| 19:22 | Michigan State | Edward Sugg is called for traveling in the backcourt | 0-0 |
| 19:15 | Northwestern | Gerald Bryant misses badly on a pull-up jumper from just outside the lane | 0-0 |
| 19:14 | Michigan State | Joseph McNeer snags the defensive board | 0-0 |
| 18:49 | Michigan State | Joseph McNeer drills a shot from the right side set up by James Kostka | 0-2 |
| 18:36 | Northwestern | Felix Cole misses short on a 3pt jumper from the left corner | 0-2 |
| 18:34 | Michigan State | Bradley Barnette grabs the defensive rebound | 0-2 |
| 18:32 | Michigan State | Joseph McNeer is hacked by Gerald Bryant in the backcourt - foul #1 on Gerald Bryant, team foul #1 | 0-2 |
| 18:14 | Michigan State | Joseph McNeer is open and scores on a 3pt shot from the left wing | 0-5 |
| 18:07 | Northwestern | Joseph McNeer steals it from Gerald Bryant | 0-5 |
| 18:02 | Michigan State | Joseph McNeer lays it up and in | 0-7 |
| 17:50 | Northwestern | Felix Cole clanks a jumper near the basket | 0-7 |
| 17:48 | Northwestern | Steven Coulter tips it in | 2-7 |
| 17:27 | Michigan State | James Kostka is open but comes up short on the 3pt attempt from the left corner | 2-7 |
| 17:26 | Northwestern | Felix Cole pulls down the rebound | 2-7 |
| 17:20 | Northwestern | Steven Coulter buries a floater from the left block | 4-7 |
| 17:18 | Michigan State | Bradley Barnette is fouled in the backcourt by Rick Drury - foul #1 on Rick Drury, team foul #2 | 4-7 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jamie Umana (PG), Robert Delany (SG), Joseph Bond (SF), Joseph Causey (PF), William Lamanna (C) Leonard Walker, Gerald Bryant, Rick Drury, Steven Coulter, Felix Cole | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Ralph Petrey (PG) Edward Sugg | |
| 17:02 | Michigan State | Bradley Barnette is by himself and knocks in the jump hook from close range on a nice dish by Ralph Petrey | 4-9 |
| 16:49 | Northwestern | Joseph Causey misses badly on a jumper in the lane | 4-9 |
| 16:47 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to Bradley Barnette | 4-9 |
| 16:43 | Michigan State | Joseph McNeer makes the driving attempt near the basket | 4-11 |
| 16:30 | Northwestern | Robert Delany is called for traveling | 4-11 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Leroy Farr (PF) James Kostka | |
| 16:12 | Michigan State | Jamie Umana steals it from Joseph McNeer | 4-11 |
| 16:08 | Northwestern | Joseph Causey lays it up and in on a nice dish by Jamie Umana | 6-11 |
| 15:48 | Michigan State | Joseph Bond is called for the reach on Joseph McNeer - foul #1 on Joseph Bond, team foul #3 | 6-11 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Leonard Walker (PG), Gerald Bryant (SG), Richard McGlew (SF), Steven Coulter (PF), Felix Cole (C) Jamie Umana, Robert Delany, Joseph Bond, Joseph Causey, William Lamanna | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Edward Sugg (PG), James Kostka (PF) Ralph Petrey, Jimmie Williams | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Leonard Walker (fresh) SG - Gerald Bryant (fresh) SF - Richard McGlew (fresh) PF - Steven Coulter (fresh) 4 pts. C - Felix Cole (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Edward Sugg (fresh) SG - Joseph McNeer (tiring) 9 pts. SF - Bradley Barnette (tiring) 2 pts. 2 reb. PF - James Kostka (fairly fresh) C - Leroy Farr (fresh) | |
| 15:27 | Michigan State | James Kostka is hacked by Gerald Bryant - foul #2 on Gerald Bryant, team foul #4 | 6-11 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jamie Umana (SG) Gerald Bryant | |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| 15:08 | Michigan State | James Kostka misses long on a turnaround in the lane | 6-11 |
| 15:06 | Northwestern | Richard McGlew pulls down the rebound | 6-11 |
| 15:02 | Northwestern | Jamie Umana is called for the offensive foul - foul #1 on Jamie Umana, team foul #5 | 6-11 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Rick Drury (SF) Richard McGlew | |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| 14:36 | Michigan State | Leroy Farr lays it up and in on a nice dish by Joseph McNeer | 6-13 |
| 14:19 | Northwestern | Felix Cole misses long on a shot from the free throw line but the foul's on Edward Sugg - foul #1 on Edward Sugg, team foul #1 | 6-13 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Richard McGlew (SF) Rick Drury | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Jimmie Williams (C) James Kostka | |
| 14:19 | Northwestern | Felix Cole makes the 1st free throw | 7-13 |
| 14:19 | Northwestern | Felix Cole makes the 2nd free throw | 8-13 |
| 13:51 | Michigan State | Bradley Barnette's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 8-13 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Joseph Causey (C) Felix Cole | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Ralph Petrey (PG), Don Ross (SF) Edward Sugg, Joseph McNeer | |
| 13:39 | Northwestern | Jimmie Williams takes the ball from Jamie Umana | 8-13 |
| 13:26 | Michigan State | Jimmie Williams throws it down on a great pass from Bradley Barnette | 8-15 |
| 13:15 | Northwestern | Steven Coulter misses long on a 3 pointer from the right wing | 8-15 |
| 13:13 | Michigan State | Bradley Barnette pulls down the rebound | 8-15 |
| 13:09 | Michigan State | Bradley Barnette is fouled in the backcourt by Leonard Walker - foul #1 on Leonard Walker, team foul #6 | 8-15 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Robert Delany (SG), Rick Drury (SF), Joseph Bond (PF) Jamie Umana, Richard McGlew, Steven Coulter | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Joseph McNeer (SG), James Kostka (PF) Bradley Barnette, Leroy Farr | |
| 12:50 | Michigan State | Ralph Petrey misses the easy layup | 8-15 |
| 12:49 | Northwestern | Joseph Causey grabs the defensive rebound | 8-15 |
| 12:45 | Northwestern | Leonard Walker comes up short on the 3 from the right wing | 8-15 |
| 12:43 | Northwestern | Rick Drury pulls down the offensive rebound | 8-15 |
| 12:28 | Northwestern | Robert Delany is fouled on the floor by Joseph McNeer - foul #1 on Joseph McNeer, team foul #2 | 8-15 |
| Subs | Northwestern | William Lamanna (PG), Felix Cole (C) Leonard Walker, Joseph Causey | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Edward Sugg (PG), Bradley Barnette (SF), Leroy Farr (C) Ralph Petrey, Don Ross, Jimmie Williams | |
| 12:14 | Northwestern | Felix Cole connects on the shot from the left wing | 10-15 |
| 11:54 | Michigan State | Leroy Farr clanks a fadeaway from the left block | 10-15 |
| 11:53 | Michigan State | James Kostka hits the follow up shot | 10-17 |
| 11:32 | Northwestern | Robert Delany throws a bad pass out of bounds | 10-17 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Leonard Walker (PG), Jamie Umana (SG), Steven Coulter (PF) William Lamanna, Robert Delany, Joseph Bond | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Don Ross (SF), Jimmie Williams (C) Bradley Barnette, James Kostka | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Leonard Walker (fairly fresh) SG - Jamie Umana (fairly fresh) 1 ast. SF - Rick Drury (fairly fresh) 2 reb. PF - Steven Coulter (fairly fresh) 4 pts. C - Felix Cole (fairly fresh) 4 pts. | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Edward Sugg (fairly fresh) SG - Joseph McNeer (tired) 9 pts. 1 ast. SF - Don Ross (fresh) PF - Leroy Farr (tiring) 2 pts. C - Jimmie Williams (tiring) 2 pts. | |
| 11:06 | Michigan State | Jimmie Williams drills a floater in the lane on a nice dish by Edward Sugg | 10-19 |
| 10:58 | Northwestern | Rick Drury misses badly on a 3pt jumper from straight away | 10-19 |
| 10:57 | Northwestern | Jamie Umana snags the offensive board | 10-19 |
| 10:46 | Northwestern | Felix Cole dunks the ball and he's hacked by Edward Sugg - foul #2 on Edward Sugg, team foul #3 | 12-19 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Richard McGlew (SF) Rick Drury | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Ralph Petrey (PG), James Kostka (PF) Edward Sugg, Leroy Farr | |
| 10:46 | Northwestern | Felix Cole makes the free throw | 13-19 |
| 10:18 | Michigan State | Joseph McNeer clanks a 3pt attempt from straight away | 13-19 |
| 10:16 | Michigan State | Don Ross pulls down the offensive rebound | 13-19 |
| 10:01 | Michigan State | Ralph Petrey travels with the ball | 13-19 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Robert Delany (SG), Joseph Causey (C) Jamie Umana, Felix Cole | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Bradley Barnette (SF) Don Ross | |
| 09:43 | Northwestern | Steven Coulter comes up short on the fadeaway jumper from the left wing but he's hacked by Jimmie Williams - foul #1 on Jimmie Williams, team foul #4 | 13-19 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Rick Drury (SF) Richard McGlew | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Leroy Farr (C) Jimmie Williams | |
| 09:43 | Michigan State | Michigan State calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 13-19 |
| 09:43 | Northwestern | Steven Coulter makes the 1st free throw | 14-19 |
| 09:43 | Northwestern | Steven Coulter misses the 2nd free throw | 14-19 |
| 09:43 | Michigan State | James Kostka grabs the board | 14-19 |
| 09:24 | Michigan State | Ralph Petrey is called for traveling | 14-19 |
| Subs | Northwestern | William Lamanna (PG), Joseph Bond (SF) Leonard Walker, Rick Drury | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Don Ross (SF) Joseph McNeer | |
| 09:15 | Northwestern | Robert Delany hits a runner near the basket | 16-19 |
| 08:47 | Michigan State | Don Ross hits a floater from the right block set up by James Kostka | 16-21 |
| 08:44 | Northwestern | Ralph Petrey steals the ball from William Lamanna in the backcourt | 16-21 |
| 08:26 | Michigan State | Don Ross is by himself and knocks in the jumper from the right block on a great pass from Ralph Petrey | 16-23 |
| 08:07 | Northwestern | Robert Delany can't connect on a turnaround from the baseline | 16-23 |
| 08:06 | Michigan State | Leroy Farr pulls down the rebound | 16-23 |
| 07:47 | Michigan State | James Kostka loses the dribble to William Lamanna | 16-23 |
| 07:38 | Northwestern | Steven Coulter hits the front of the rim on the 3pt shot from the left wing | 16-23 |
| 07:36 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to Leroy Farr | 16-23 |
| 07:07 | Michigan State | Leroy Farr makes the driving attempt from the baseline and the foul's on Joseph Causey - foul #1 on Joseph Causey, team foul #7 | 16-25 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Leonard Walker (PG), Jamie Umana (SG), Rick Drury (SF), Felix Cole (C) William Lamanna, Robert Delany, Joseph Bond, Joseph Causey | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Joseph McNeer (SG), Jimmie Williams (C) Don Ross, James Kostka | |
| 07:07 | Michigan State | Leroy Farr makes the free throw | 16-26 |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Leonard Walker (fairly fresh) SG - Jamie Umana (fresh) 1 ast. SF - Rick Drury (fresh) 2 reb. PF - Steven Coulter (tiring) 5 pts. C - Felix Cole (fairly fresh) 7 pts. | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Ralph Petrey (fairly fresh) 2 ast. SG - Joseph McNeer (tiring) 9 pts. 1 ast. SF - Bradley Barnette (tired) 2 pts. 3 reb. PF - Leroy Farr (tiring) 5 pts. 2 reb. C - Jimmie Williams (tiring) 4 pts. | |
| 06:51 | Northwestern | Felix Cole misses short on a fadeaway jumper from the right wing | 16-26 |
| 06:50 | Michigan State | Jimmie Williams gets the rebound | 16-26 |
| 06:21 | Michigan State | Jimmie Williams hits the front of the rim on the jumper from the right block but the foul's on Leonard Walker - foul #2 on Leonard Walker, team foul #8 | 16-26 |
| Subs | Northwestern | William Lamanna (PG) Leonard Walker | |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| 06:21 | Michigan State | Jimmie Williams makes the 1st free throw | 16-27 |
| 06:21 | Michigan State | Jimmie Williams makes the 2nd free throw | 16-28 |
| 06:10 | Northwestern | Steven Coulter buries a driving attempt from close range | 18-28 |
| 05:45 | Michigan State | Joseph McNeer comes up short on the turnaround in the paint but he's hacked by William Lamanna - foul #1 on William Lamanna, team foul #9 | 18-28 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Robert Delany (SG), Richard McGlew (SF), Joseph Causey (PF) William Lamanna, Rick Drury, Steven Coulter | |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| 05:45 | Michigan State | Joseph McNeer makes the 1st free throw | 18-29 |
| 05:45 | Michigan State | Joseph McNeer makes the 2nd free throw | 18-30 |
| 05:35 | Northwestern | Jamie Umana can't connect on a 3pt jumper from the right corner | 18-30 |
| 05:33 | Northwestern | Richard McGlew grabs the offensive board | 18-30 |
| 05:21 | Northwestern | Jimmie Williams steals the ball from Joseph Causey | 18-30 |
| 04:52 | Michigan State | Bradley Barnette can't connect on a 3 pointer from the left wing | 18-30 |
| 04:51 | Northwestern | Felix Cole gets the rebound | 18-30 |
| 04:46 | Northwestern | Robert Delany misses short on a shot from the baseline but he's hacked by Joseph McNeer - foul #2 on Joseph McNeer, team foul #5 | 18-30 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Rick Drury (SF) Richard McGlew | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Don Ross (SF), James Kostka (PF) Joseph McNeer, Leroy Farr | |
| 04:46 | Northwestern | Robert Delany makes the 1st free throw | 19-30 |
| 04:46 | Northwestern | Robert Delany makes the 2nd free throw | 20-30 |
| 04:27 | Michigan State | Felix Cole blocks the jumper by Don Ross | 20-30 |
| 04:26 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Felix Cole | 20-30 |
| 04:02 | Northwestern | Jimmie Williams takes the ball from Robert Delany | 20-30 |
| 04:00 | Michigan State | James Kostka is whistled for traveling in the backcourt | 20-30 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Leonard Walker (PG), Gerald Bryant (SG), Richard McGlew (SF), Joseph Bond (PF) Jamie Umana, Robert Delany, Rick Drury, Joseph Causey | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Edward Sugg (PG), Joseph McNeer (SG) Ralph Petrey, Bradley Barnette | |
| 03:43 | Northwestern | Joseph Bond scores on a shot from close range | 22-30 |
| 03:38 | Michigan State | Edward Sugg is fouled in the backcourt by Leonard Walker - foul #3 on Leonard Walker, team foul #10 | 22-30 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jamie Umana (PG) Leonard Walker | |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| 03:38 | Michigan State | Edward Sugg makes the 1st free throw | 22-31 |
| 03:38 | Michigan State | Edward Sugg makes the 2nd free throw | 22-32 |
| 03:15 | Northwestern | Felix Cole comes up short on the runner from close range | 22-32 |
| 03:14 | Michigan State | Jimmie Williams snags the defensive board | 22-32 |
| 02:51 | Michigan State | Edward Sugg misses badly on a shot from the right wing | 22-32 |
| 02:50 | Michigan State | James Kostka tips it home | 22-34 |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Jamie Umana (tiring) 1 ast. SG - Gerald Bryant (fresh) SF - Richard McGlew (fairly fresh) 2 reb. PF - Joseph Bond (fairly fresh) 2 pts. C - Felix Cole (tiring) 7 pts. 3 reb. | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Edward Sugg (fresh) 2 pts. 1 ast. SG - Joseph McNeer (tired) 11 pts. 1 ast. SF - Don Ross (fairly fresh) 4 pts. PF - James Kostka (tired) 4 pts. 3 reb. C - Jimmie Williams (tired) 6 pts. 2 reb. 3 stl. | |
| 02:46 | Northwestern | Felix Cole can't connect on a jump hook from the left block | 22-34 |
| 02:45 | Northwestern | Felix Cole tips it in | 24-34 |
| 02:43 | Michigan State | Michigan State calls a full timeout (2 :30 2 full remaining) | 24-34 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Rick Drury (SF), Joseph Causey (C) Richard McGlew, Felix Cole | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Leroy Farr (PF) James Kostka | |
| 02:24 | Michigan State | Joseph McNeer scores on a shot from just outside the lane set up by Edward Sugg | 24-36 |
| 02:02 | Northwestern | Joseph Bond is hacked by Jimmie Williams - foul #2 on Jimmie Williams, team foul #6 | 24-36 |
| Subs | Northwestern | William Lamanna (PG), Steven Coulter (PF) Jamie Umana, Joseph Bond | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Bradley Barnette (SF) Don Ross | |
| 01:53 | Northwestern | Steven Coulter blows the layup but the foul's on Leroy Farr - foul #1 on Leroy Farr, team foul #7 | 24-36 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | James Kostka (PF) Jimmie Williams | |
| 01:53 | Northwestern | Steven Coulter misses the 1st free throw | 24-36 |
| 01:53 | Northwestern | Steven Coulter makes the 2nd free throw | 25-36 |
| 01:51 | Michigan State | Joseph McNeer is whistled for a carry in the backcourt | 25-36 |
| 01:37 | Northwestern | William Lamanna comes up short on the floater from just outside the lane | 25-36 |
| 01:36 | Michigan State | Joseph McNeer grabs the defensive rebound | 25-36 |
| 01:34 | Michigan State | Joseph McNeer is fouled in the backcourt by Gerald Bryant - foul #3 on Gerald Bryant, team foul #11 | 25-36 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Robert Delany (SG), Felix Cole (C) Gerald Bryant, Joseph Causey | |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| 01:34 | Michigan State | Joseph McNeer misses the 1st free throw | 25-36 |
| 01:34 | Michigan State | Joseph McNeer makes the 2nd free throw | 25-37 |
| 01:10 | Northwestern | Steven Coulter can't connect on a turnaround in the lane | 25-37 |
| 01:09 | Michigan State | Leroy Farr pulls down the rebound | 25-37 |
| 00:49 | Michigan State | James Kostka is alone and drills a 3 from the right corner set up by Edward Sugg | 25-40 |
| 00:36 | Northwestern | Leroy Farr blocks the short jumper by Robert Delany | 25-40 |
| 00:35 | Northwestern | Rick Drury tips it but misses | 25-40 |
| 00:34 | Northwestern | Steven Coulter snags the offensive board | 25-40 |
| 00:16 | Northwestern | Robert Delany's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 25-40 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jamie Umana (SG), Richard McGlew (SF), Joseph Causey (C) Robert Delany, Rick Drury, Felix Cole | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Don Ross (SF), Jimmie Williams (C) Bradley Barnette, James Kostka | |
| 00:00 | Michigan State | Leroy Farr double dribbles | 25-40 |