| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Steven Abbott (fresh) 2 pts. 4 ast. 2 stl. SG - Jan Tarver (fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. SF - Doug Whitten (fresh) 3 pts. PF - Darren Neveu (fresh) 2 pts. 2 blk. C - Anthony McMaken (fresh) 5 pts. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Renato Russo (fresh) 1 ast. SG - Enam Africa (fresh) 5 pts. SF - Theodore Green (fresh) PF - Matthew Rico (fresh) 14 pts. C - Todd Brunner (fresh) 4 pts. 5 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Illinois | Doug Whitten inbounds the ball | 29-28 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense and a man to man (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a triangle offense (slowdown) and a 2-3 zone (+1) | |
| 19:43 | Illinois | Doug Whitten drills a shot from the right wing on a great pass from Steven Abbott | 31-28 |
| 19:18 | Northwestern | Theodore Green misses the easy layup | 31-28 |
| 19:17 | Northwestern | Theodore Green tips it home | 31-30 |
| 19:06 | Illinois | Darren Neveu is fouled on the floor by Theodore Green - foul #3 on Theodore Green, team foul #1 | 31-30 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Edward Allen (SG), Ante Zender (PF) Enam Africa, Matthew Rico | |
| 18:52 | Illinois | Steven Abbott is hacked by Ante Zender - foul #1 on Ante Zender, team foul #2 | 31-30 |
| 18:27 | Illinois | Anthony McMaken is called for the offensive foul - foul #1 on Anthony McMaken, team foul #1 | 31-30 |
| 17:58 | Northwestern | Todd Brunner is called for the offensive foul - foul #3 on Todd Brunner, team foul #3 | 31-30 |
| 17:38 | Illinois | Doug Whitten misses the pull-up jumper from the left side | 31-30 |
| 17:36 | Illinois | Doug Whitten tips it but misses | 31-30 |
| 17:35 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Ante Zender | 31-30 |
| 17:31 | Northwestern | Theodore Green's pass over a doubleteam is off the mark and out of bounds | 31-30 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Enam Africa (SG), Everette Duval (PF) Edward Allen, Ante Zender | |
| 17:16 | Illinois | Anthony McMaken clanks a floater from the right side | 31-30 |
| 17:15 | Northwestern | Everette Duval grabs the board | 31-30 |
| 16:52 | Northwestern | Theodore Green misses long on a pull-up jumper from the left side | 31-30 |
| 16:51 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Darren Neveu | 31-30 |
| 16:46 | Illinois | Jan Tarver misses the 3pt attempt from the right corner | 31-30 |
| 16:44 | Northwestern | Renato Russo gets the rebound | 31-30 |
| 16:25 | Northwestern | Enam Africa misses short on a 3 pointer from the left corner | 31-30 |
| 16:24 | Illinois | Darren Neveu gets the rebound | 31-30 |
| 16:09 | Illinois | Steven Abbott knocks in the fadeaway from the right side on a great pass from Doug Whitten | 33-30 |
| 15:44 | Northwestern | Enam Africa's pass over a doubleteam is off the mark and out of bounds | 33-30 |
| Subs | Illinois | Richard Guerrera (PG), Bruce Devaughn (SG), Richard Deady (SF), James Nichols (PF), Dennis Hazelwood (C) Steven Abbott, Jan Tarver, Doug Whitten, Darren Neveu, Anthony McMaken | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Edward Allen (SG), Ante Zender (PF) Enam Africa, Everette Duval | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Richard Guerrera (fresh) 8 pts. 1 ast. SG - Bruce Devaughn (fresh) SF - Richard Deady (fresh) PF - James Nichols (fresh) 6 pts. 6 reb. C - Dennis Hazelwood (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Renato Russo (fairly fresh) 1 ast. SG - Edward Allen (fresh) SF - Theodore Green (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 3 pf. PF - Ante Zender (fresh) 5 reb. C - Todd Brunner (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 5 reb. 3 pf. | |
| 15:18 | Illinois | Todd Brunner steals the ball from James Nichols | 33-30 |
| 14:54 | Northwestern | Theodore Green drills a jumper from the left side | 33-32 |
| 14:32 | Illinois | Bruce Devaughn misses badly on a 3 from the right wing | 33-32 |
| 14:30 | Illinois | Richard Deady grabs the offensive board | 33-32 |
| 14:17 | Illinois | James Nichols can't connect on a pull-up jumper from the left wing | 33-32 |
| 14:16 | Northwestern | Ante Zender pulls down the rebound | 33-32 |
| 13:47 | Northwestern | Ante Zender is fouled on the floor by James Nichols - foul #1 on James Nichols, team foul #2 | 33-32 |
| Subs | Illinois | Steven Abbott (PG), Doug Whitten (SF), Darren Neveu (PF), Anthony McMaken (C) Richard Guerrera, Richard Deady, James Nichols, Dennis Hazelwood | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Enam Africa (SG), Matthew Rico (PF) Edward Allen, Ante Zender | |
| 13:25 | Northwestern | Todd Brunner knocks in the runner from the baseline set up by Enam Africa out of the doubleteam | 33-34 |
| 13:02 | Illinois | Bruce Devaughn makes the 3pt attempt from the right corner on a great pass from Steven Abbott | 36-34 |
| 12:42 | Northwestern | Enam Africa scores on a 3pt shot from the right corner | 36-37 |
| 12:13 | Illinois | Steven Abbott clanks a 3 pointer from the right corner | 36-37 |
| 12:12 | Illinois | Darren Neveu hits the follow up shot | 38-37 |
| 11:52 | Northwestern | Anthony McMaken blocks the short jumper by Matthew Rico | 38-37 |
| 11:51 | Northwestern | Matthew Rico tips it home | 38-39 |
| 11:41 | Illinois | Steven Abbott is whistled for traveling | 38-39 |
| Subs | Illinois | Jan Tarver (SG) Bruce Devaughn | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Ante Zender (C) Todd Brunner | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Steven Abbott (fresh) 4 pts. 6 ast. 2 stl. SG - Jan Tarver (fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. SF - Doug Whitten (fresh) 5 pts. 1 ast. PF - Darren Neveu (fresh) 4 pts. 4 reb. 2 blk. C - Anthony McMaken (fresh) 5 pts. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Renato Russo (tiring) 1 ast. SG - Enam Africa (fresh) 8 pts. 1 ast. SF - Theodore Green (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 3 pf. PF - Matthew Rico (fresh) 16 pts. 2 reb. C - Ante Zender (fresh) 6 reb. | |
| 11:16 | Northwestern | The jump hook by Ante Zender is blocked by Anthony McMaken | 38-39 |
| 11:15 | Northwestern | The offensive rebound goes to Ante Zender | 38-39 |
| 11:02 | Northwestern | Enam Africa scores on a 3 from the left corner on a great pass from Renato Russo | 38-42 |
| 10:37 | Illinois | Anthony McMaken blows the dunk but the foul's on Theodore Green - foul #4 on Theodore Green, team foul #4 | 38-42 |
| Subs | Illinois | James Nichols (PF) Darren Neveu | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Todd Brunner (C) Matthew Rico | |
| 10:37 | Illinois | Anthony McMaken misses the 1st free throw | 38-42 |
| 10:37 | Illinois | Anthony McMaken makes the 2nd free throw | 39-42 |
| 10:08 | Northwestern | Theodore Green throws it down on a nice dish by Ante Zender and he's hacked by Doug Whitten - foul #2 on Doug Whitten, team foul #3 | 39-44 |
| Subs | Illinois | Richard Guerrera (PG), Bruce Devaughn (SF), Dennis Hazelwood (C) Steven Abbott, Doug Whitten, Anthony McMaken | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 10:08 | Northwestern | Theodore Green makes the free throw | 39-45 |
| 09:52 | Illinois | Bruce Devaughn misses the 3pt jumper from the left wing | 39-45 |
| 09:50 | Illinois | Dennis Hazelwood tips it back up and in | 41-45 |
| 09:21 | Northwestern | Ante Zender drills a jumpshot from the right wing on a nice dish by a doubleteamed Enam Africa | 41-47 |
| 08:57 | Illinois | Renato Russo is called for the reach on Richard Guerrera - foul #3 on Renato Russo, team foul #5 | 41-47 |
| Subs | Illinois | Steven Abbott (PG), Doug Whitten (SF), Darren Neveu (PF), Anthony McMaken (C) Richard Guerrera, Bruce Devaughn, James Nichols, Dennis Hazelwood | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Michael Matherly (SG), Matthew Rico (PF) Enam Africa, Ante Zender | |
| 08:43 | Illinois | Doug Whitten hits a jumper from the free throw line set up by Steven Abbott | 43-47 |
| 08:29 | Northwestern | The short jumper by Theodore Green is denied by Darren Neveu | 43-47 |
| 08:27 | Illinois | Anthony McMaken grabs the board | 43-47 |
| 08:12 | Illinois | Doug Whitten misses long on a floater from the free throw line | 43-47 |
| 08:10 | Northwestern | Theodore Green gets the rebound | 43-47 |
| 07:51 | Northwestern | Steven Abbott steps in front of the Matthew Rico pass | 43-47 |
| 07:47 | Illinois | Steven Abbott lays it in | 45-47 |
| 07:26 | Northwestern | Theodore Green evades the doubleteam but misses long on a jumpshot from the free throw line but he's hacked by Doug Whitten - foul #3 on Doug Whitten, team foul #4 | 45-47 |
| Subs | Illinois | Bruce Devaughn (SG) Jan Tarver | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Enam Africa (SG), Ante Zender (C) Michael Matherly, Todd Brunner | |
| 07:26 | Northwestern | Theodore Green makes the 1st free throw | 45-48 |
| 07:26 | Northwestern | Theodore Green makes the 2nd free throw | 45-49 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Steven Abbott (fresh) 6 pts. 7 ast. 3 stl. SG - Bruce Devaughn (fresh) 3 pts. SF - Doug Whitten (fresh) 7 pts. 1 ast. 3 pf. PF - Darren Neveu (fresh) 4 pts. 4 reb. 3 blk. C - Anthony McMaken (fresh) 6 pts. 2 reb. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Renato Russo (tiring) 2 ast. 3 pf. SG - Enam Africa (fresh) 11 pts. 2 ast. SF - Theodore Green (tiring) 9 pts. 2 reb. 4 pf. PF - Matthew Rico (fresh) 16 pts. 2 reb. C - Ante Zender (fresh) 2 pts. 7 reb. | |
| 07:23 | Illinois | Steven Abbott's pass is off the mark and out of bounds in the backcourt | 45-49 |
| 07:05 | Northwestern | Theodore Green makes the contested jumpshot from the free throw line | 45-51 |
| 06:40 | Illinois | Steven Abbott is fouled on the floor by Renato Russo - foul #4 on Renato Russo, team foul #6 | 45-51 |
| Subs | Illinois | James Nichols (C) Anthony McMaken | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 06:26 | Illinois | Bruce Devaughn connects on the 3 pointer from straight away set up by Steven Abbott | 48-51 |
| 06:02 | Northwestern | Theodore Green double dribbles | 48-51 |
| Subs | Illinois | Richard Guerrera (PG), Richard Deady (SF) Steven Abbott, Doug Whitten | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Todd Brunner (C) Matthew Rico | |
| 05:49 | Illinois | Darren Neveu scores on a driving attempt in the lane on a nice dish by Richard Guerrera | 50-51 |
| 05:20 | Northwestern | Todd Brunner can't connect on an uncontested jumper from the left block | 50-51 |
| 05:18 | Illinois | Darren Neveu snags the defensive board | 50-51 |
| 04:56 | Illinois | Bruce Devaughn can't connect on a 3 pointer from straight away | 50-51 |
| 04:54 | Northwestern | Ante Zender pulls down the rebound | 50-51 |
| 04:38 | Northwestern | Todd Brunner can't connect on a jumper from the left side | 50-51 |
| 04:36 | Northwestern | Todd Brunner can't tip it in | 50-51 |
| 04:34 | Illinois | Darren Neveu snags the defensive board | 50-51 |
| 04:30 | Illinois | Illinois calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 50-51 |
| Subs | Illinois | Steven Abbott (PG), Jan Tarver (SG), Doug Whitten (SF), Anthony McMaken (C) Richard Guerrera, Bruce Devaughn, Richard Deady, James Nichols | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Matthew Rico (PF) Ante Zender | |
| 04:10 | Illinois | Anthony McMaken drills a driving attempt from the left block on a great pass from Steven Abbott | 52-51 |
| 03:43 | Northwestern | Matthew Rico misses the fadeaway from the baseline | 52-51 |
| 03:42 | Northwestern | Matthew Rico can't tip it in | 52-51 |
| 03:40 | Illinois | Anthony McMaken snags the defensive board | 52-51 |
| 03:36 | Illinois | Steven Abbott drills a fadeaway from the left side on a nice dish by Jan Tarver | 54-51 |
| 03:11 | Northwestern | Theodore Green clanks a 3pt attempt from the left corner | 54-51 |
| 03:10 | Illinois | Darren Neveu snags the defensive board | 54-51 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Steven Abbott (fresh) 8 pts. 9 ast. 3 stl. SG - Jan Tarver (fresh) 3 pts. 2 ast. SF - Doug Whitten (fresh) 7 pts. 1 ast. 3 pf. PF - Darren Neveu (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 7 reb. 3 blk. C - Anthony McMaken (fresh) 8 pts. 3 reb. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Renato Russo (tired) 2 ast. 4 pf. SG - Enam Africa (fresh) 11 pts. 2 ast. SF - Theodore Green (tiring) 11 pts. 2 reb. 4 pf. PF - Matthew Rico (fresh) 16 pts. 3 reb. C - Todd Brunner (tiring) 6 pts. 6 reb. 3 pf. | |
| 02:55 | Illinois | Anthony McMaken is denied on a layup by Matthew Rico | 54-51 |
| 02:54 | Illinois | Darren Neveu hits the follow up shot | 56-51 |
| 02:50 | Northwestern | Enam Africa is fouled on the floor by Steven Abbott - foul #2 on Steven Abbott, team foul #5 | 56-51 |
| Subs | Illinois | James Nichols (PF) Darren Neveu | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Michael Matherly (SG), Ante Zender (C) Enam Africa, Todd Brunner | |
| 02:22 | Northwestern | Michael Matherly is whistled for traveling | 56-51 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Enam Africa (SG) Michael Matherly | |
| 02:10 | Illinois | Jan Tarver is alone and drills a 3pt jumper from straight away on a nice dish by Doug Whitten | 59-51 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense and a man to man (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a triangle offense (uptempo) and a 2-3 zone (+1) | |
| 01:45 | Northwestern | Matthew Rico misses the floater in the lane | 59-51 |
| 01:44 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Anthony McMaken | 59-51 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a triangle offense (uptempo) and a 2-3 zone (-3) | |
| 01:22 | Illinois | Anthony McMaken throws a bad pass out of bounds | 59-51 |
| Subs | Illinois | Darren Neveu (PF) James Nichols | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Todd Brunner (C) Ante Zender | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (+5) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a triangle offense (uptempo) and a 2-3 zone (-3) | |
| 01:09 | Northwestern | Enam Africa double dribbles | 59-51 |
| 00:47 | Illinois | Jan Tarver comes up short on the 3pt jumper from straight away | 59-51 |
| 00:45 | Illinois | Doug Whitten tips it but misses | 59-51 |
| 00:43 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Matthew Rico | 59-51 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (+5) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a 2-3 zone (-3) | |
| 00:35 | Northwestern | Enam Africa evades the doubleteam and hits a 3pt shot from the left wing on a great pass from Theodore Green | 59-54 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+5) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (+1) | |
| 00:33 | Illinois | Anthony McMaken is fouled in the backcourt by Enam Africa - foul #2 on Enam Africa, team foul #7 | 59-54 |
| Subs | Illinois | Bruce Devaughn (PG), Richard Guerrera (SF) Steven Abbott, Doug Whitten | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 00:33 | Illinois | Anthony McMaken makes the 1st free throw | 60-54 |
| 00:33 | Illinois | Anthony McMaken misses the 2nd free throw | 60-54 |
| 00:33 | Northwestern | Theodore Green grabs the defensive rebound | 60-54 |
| 00:27 | Northwestern | Enam Africa is bothered by a doubleteam and misses badly on a 3pt shot from straight away | 60-54 |
| 00:25 | Illinois | Bruce Devaughn snags the defensive board | 60-54 |
| 00:25 | Illinois | Illinois calls a full timeout (2 :30 2 full remaining) | 60-54 |
| Subs | Illinois | Doug Whitten (PF) Darren Neveu | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+5) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (-3) | |
| 00:22 | Illinois | Renato Russo is called for the reach on Anthony McMaken in the backcourt - foul #5 on Renato Russo, team foul #8 | 60-54 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Edward Allen (PG) Renato Russo | |
| 00:22 | Illinois | Anthony McMaken misses the 1st free throw | 60-54 |
| 00:22 | Northwestern | Matthew Rico grabs the defensive rebound | 60-54 |
| 00:17 | Northwestern | Edward Allen connects on the 3 pointer from the right corner on a nice dish by Theodore Green | 60-57 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+5) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (+1) | |
| 00:14 | Illinois | Jan Tarver is fouled in the backcourt by Edward Allen - foul #1 on Edward Allen, team foul #9 | 60-57 |
| Subs | Illinois | Steven Abbott (PG) Richard Guerrera | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 00:14 | Illinois | Jan Tarver makes the 1st free throw | 61-57 |
| 00:14 | Illinois | Jan Tarver makes the 2nd free throw | 62-57 |
| 00:06 | Northwestern | Enam Africa shoots over the doubleteam but comes up short on the 3 from the right corner | 62-57 |
| 00:04 | Illinois | Steven Abbott grabs the defensive rebound | 62-57 |
| 00:02 | Illinois | Edward Allen is called for the reach on Steven Abbott in the backcourt - foul #2 on Edward Allen, team foul #10 | 62-57 |
| 00:02 | Illinois | Steven Abbott makes the 1st free throw | 63-57 |
| 00:02 | Illinois | Steven Abbott makes the 2nd free throw | 64-57 |
| 00:00 | Northwestern | Theodore Green misses long on a halfcourt shot | 64-57 |