| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Aaron Olsen (fresh) 5 pts. 1 ast. SG - John Bentley (fresh) 5 pts. 1 ast. SF - Bradly Carrion (fresh) 5 pts. 2 ast. PF - Kyle Whiddon (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. C - Johnny Bergeron (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Walter Burton (fresh) 4 pts. 2 stl. SG - David Hammond (fresh) 8 pts. 1 ast. SF - Brandon Raynor (fresh) 2 pts. PF - Bryant Smartt (fresh) 3 reb. C - Darrel Ary (fresh) 4 pts. 3 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Illinois | Bradly Carrion inbounds the ball | 19-24 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a halfcourt press/3-2 zone (-2) | |
| 19:37 | Illinois | Aaron Olsen buries a jumper from close range set up by Kyle Whiddon | 21-24 |
| 19:18 | Ohio State | Walter Burton knocks in the fadeaway jumper from just outside the lane set up by Brandon Raynor | 21-26 |
| 19:00 | Illinois | Bradly Carrion hits a fadeaway from the free throw line on a great pass from John Bentley | 23-26 |
| 18:39 | Ohio State | Darrel Ary is fouled on the floor by Johnny Bergeron - foul #1 on Johnny Bergeron, team foul #1 | 23-26 |
| 18:19 | Ohio State | David Hammond evades the doubleteam but misses long on a 3pt jumper from the left corner | 23-26 |
| 18:17 | Illinois | Bradly Carrion gets the rebound | 23-26 |
| 18:01 | Illinois | Kyle Whiddon hits a shot near the basket on a nice dish by Aaron Olsen | 25-26 |
| 17:35 | Ohio State | John Bentley steps in front of the Brandon Raynor pass | 25-26 |
| 17:32 | Illinois | John Bentley slams it home | 27-26 |
| 17:03 | Ohio State | Darrel Ary misses short on a jumpshot from the right wing | 27-26 |
| 17:02 | Ohio State | Darrel Ary misses the tip | 27-26 |
| 17:00 | Illinois | Johnny Bergeron pulls down the rebound | 27-26 |
| 16:35 | Illinois | John Bentley makes the shot from the right side on a nice dish by Bradly Carrion | 29-26 |
| 16:24 | Ohio State | Bryant Smartt blows the dunk but he's fouled by Kyle Whiddon - foul #1 on Kyle Whiddon, team foul #2 | 29-26 |
| Subs | Illinois | Thomas Brown (SG), James Werner (SF), Donnell Guarino (PF), Lawrence Anthony (C) Aaron Olsen, John Bentley, Kyle Whiddon, Johnny Bergeron | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Jeremiah Chase (PG), Ronald Horstman (SF), David Vera (C) Walter Burton, Brandon Raynor, Darrel Ary | |
| 16:24 | Ohio State | Bryant Smartt makes the 1st free throw | 29-27 |
| 16:24 | Ohio State | Bryant Smartt makes the 2nd free throw | 29-28 |
| 15:57 | Illinois | Bradly Carrion drills a fadeaway from the left side on a great pass from Lawrence Anthony | 31-28 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Bradly Carrion (fresh) 9 pts. 3 ast. SG - Thomas Brown (fresh) SF - James Werner (fresh) PF - Donnell Guarino (fresh) 2 pts. C - Lawrence Anthony (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Jeremiah Chase (fresh) 2 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SG - David Hammond (fresh) 8 pts. 1 ast. SF - Ronald Horstman (fresh) 2 reb. PF - Bryant Smartt (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. C - David Vera (fresh) 2 pts. | |
| 15:42 | Ohio State | Bryant Smartt's layup is rejected by Lawrence Anthony | 31-28 |
| 15:40 | Ohio State | Ronald Horstman snags the offensive board | 31-28 |
| 15:29 | Ohio State | David Vera misses badly on a floater from the free throw line | 31-28 |
| 15:27 | Illinois | Donnell Guarino grabs the defensive rebound | 31-28 |
| 14:59 | Illinois | Bradly Carrion drills a floater from the baseline on a nice dish by James Werner and he's hacked by Jeremiah Chase - foul #2 on Jeremiah Chase, team foul #1 | 33-28 |
| Subs | Illinois | Aaron Olsen (PG), John Bentley (SG), Johnny Bergeron (C) Thomas Brown, Donnell Guarino, Lawrence Anthony | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Walter Burton (PG), John Hill (SF), Brandon Raynor (PF) David Hammond, Ronald Horstman, Bryant Smartt | |
| 14:59 | Illinois | Bradly Carrion makes the free throw | 34-28 |
| 14:50 | Ohio State | John Hill scores on a driving attempt from the left block on a nice dish by Walter Burton and he's hacked by John Bentley - foul #2 on John Bentley, team foul #3 | 34-30 |
| Subs | Illinois | Donnell Guarino (PF) Bradly Carrion | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 14:50 | Ohio State | John Hill misses the free throw | 34-30 |
| 14:50 | Illinois | Donnell Guarino grabs the defensive rebound | 34-30 |
| 14:31 | Illinois | Aaron Olsen makes the driving attempt in the paint on a nice dish by John Bentley | 36-30 |
| 14:07 | Ohio State | Walter Burton clanks a fadeaway from the right wing but the foul's on Aaron Olsen - foul #1 on Aaron Olsen, team foul #4 | 36-30 |
| Subs | Illinois | Kyle Whiddon (PF) Donnell Guarino | |
| Subs | Ohio State | David Hammond (SG), Darrel Ary (C) Jeremiah Chase, David Vera | |
| 14:07 | Ohio State | Walter Burton misses the 1st free throw | 36-30 |
| 14:07 | Ohio State | Walter Burton makes the 2nd free throw | 36-31 |
| 13:40 | Illinois | Kyle Whiddon hits the front of the rim on the floater from the left side | 36-31 |
| 13:38 | Illinois | John Bentley can't tip it in | 36-31 |
| 13:37 | Illinois | Aaron Olsen can't tip it in | 36-31 |
| 13:35 | Ohio State | John Hill grabs the defensive rebound | 36-31 |
| 13:08 | Ohio State | Aaron Olsen picks off the pass by David Hammond | 36-31 |
| 13:03 | Illinois | Aaron Olsen buries a shot from the right side set up by John Bentley | 38-31 |
| 12:46 | Ohio State | David Hammond knocks in the 3 pointer from the left corner set up by Darrel Ary | 38-34 |
| 12:19 | Illinois | John Bentley misses long on a pull-up jumper from the right side | 38-34 |
| 12:17 | Ohio State | Darrel Ary grabs the board | 38-34 |
| 11:56 | Ohio State | David Hammond is hacked by James Werner during a doubleteam - foul #1 on James Werner, team foul #5 | 38-34 |
| Subs | Illinois | Thomas Brown (SG), Bradly Carrion (SF), Donnell Guarino (PF), Lawrence Anthony (C) John Bentley, James Werner, Kyle Whiddon, Johnny Bergeron | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Jeremiah Chase (PG), Ronald Horstman (SF), Bryant Smartt (PF), David Vera (C) Walter Burton, John Hill, Brandon Raynor, Darrel Ary | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Aaron Olsen (fresh) 11 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SG - Thomas Brown (fresh) SF - Bradly Carrion (fresh) 12 pts. 3 ast. PF - Donnell Guarino (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. C - Lawrence Anthony (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Jeremiah Chase (fresh) 2 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SG - David Hammond (fresh) 11 pts. 1 ast. SF - Ronald Horstman (fresh) 3 reb. PF - Bryant Smartt (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. C - David Vera (fresh) 2 pts. | |
| 11:42 | Ohio State | Jeremiah Chase is whistled for traveling | 38-34 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Cecil Middlebrook (SG) David Hammond | |
| 11:20 | Illinois | Aaron Olsen makes the wide open 3pt shot from the left wing set up by Bradly Carrion | 41-34 |
| 11:02 | Ohio State | Cecil Middlebrook misses badly on a 3 pointer from straight away | 41-34 |
| 11:00 | Illinois | Bradly Carrion grabs the board | 41-34 |
| 10:44 | Illinois | Aaron Olsen hits a 3pt jumper from the right wing set up by Thomas Brown | 44-34 |
| 10:23 | Ohio State | Cecil Middlebrook can't connect on a 3pt shot from the right corner | 44-34 |
| 10:22 | Ohio State | Jeremiah Chase tips it in | 44-36 |
| 09:53 | Illinois | Lawrence Anthony misses long on a jumper from the left side but he's hacked by Bryant Smartt - foul #3 on Bryant Smartt, team foul #2 | 44-36 |
| Subs | Illinois | John Bentley (PG), Kyle Whiddon (PF) Aaron Olsen, Donnell Guarino | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Walter Burton (PG), David Hammond (SG), John Hill (SF), Brandon Raynor (PF), Darrel Ary (C) Jeremiah Chase, Cecil Middlebrook, Ronald Horstman, Bryant Smartt, David Vera | |
| 09:53 | Illinois | Lawrence Anthony makes the 1st free throw | 45-36 |
| 09:53 | Illinois | Lawrence Anthony makes the 2nd free throw | 46-36 |
| 09:26 | Ohio State | John Hill comes up short on the shot from the right side | 46-36 |
| 09:25 | Illinois | The rebound goes to John Bentley | 46-36 |
| 09:02 | Illinois | Lawrence Anthony is hacked by Darrel Ary - foul #2 on Darrel Ary, team foul #3 | 46-36 |
| Subs | Illinois | James Werner (SF), Johnny Bergeron (C) Thomas Brown, Lawrence Anthony | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 08:40 | Illinois | John Bentley hits the front of the rim on the fadeaway from the baseline but he's fouled by John Hill - foul #4 on John Hill, team foul #4 | 46-36 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Ohio State | David Vera (PF) John Hill | |
| 08:40 | Illinois | John Bentley makes the 1st free throw | 47-36 |
| 08:40 | Illinois | John Bentley misses the 2nd free throw | 47-36 |
| 08:40 | Ohio State | Darrel Ary pulls down the rebound | 47-36 |
| 08:15 | Ohio State | David Hammond's layup is rejected by Kyle Whiddon | 47-36 |
| 08:14 | Ohio State | The offensive rebound goes to Darrel Ary | 47-36 |
| 07:52 | Ohio State | Brandon Raynor misses the jumper near the basket but the foul's on James Werner - foul #2 on James Werner, team foul #6 | 47-36 |
| Subs | Illinois | Aaron Olsen (PG) Bradly Carrion | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Jeremiah Chase (PG), John Hill (SF), Bryant Smartt (C) Walter Burton, David Vera, Darrel Ary | |
| 07:52 | Ohio State | Brandon Raynor makes the 1st free throw | 47-37 |
| 07:52 | Ohio State | Brandon Raynor makes the 2nd free throw | 47-38 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Aaron Olsen (fresh) 17 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SG - John Bentley (fresh) 10 pts. 4 ast. SF - James Werner (fresh) PF - Kyle Whiddon (fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. C - Johnny Bergeron (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Jeremiah Chase (fresh) 4 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SG - David Hammond (fresh) 11 pts. 1 ast. SF - John Hill (fresh) 4 pts. 4 reb. 4 pf. PF - Brandon Raynor (fresh) 4 pts. C - Bryant Smartt (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. 3 pf. | |
| 07:31 | Illinois | Brandon Raynor is called for the reach on Kyle Whiddon - foul #2 on Brandon Raynor, team foul #5 | 47-38 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Ohio State | David Vera (C) Brandon Raynor | |
| 07:09 | Illinois | John Bentley misses the jumpshot from the left side | 47-38 |
| 07:08 | Ohio State | John Hill grabs the board | 47-38 |
| 06:39 | Ohio State | David Vera's pass is intercepted by James Werner | 47-38 |
| 06:35 | Illinois | Aaron Olsen banks in the layup on a nice dish by James Werner | 49-38 |
| 06:14 | Ohio State | John Hill shoots over the doubleteam but comes up short on the turnaround from the left block | 49-38 |
| 06:12 | Illinois | Johnny Bergeron snags the defensive board | 49-38 |
| 05:43 | Illinois | Aaron Olsen lays it in on a great pass from Johnny Bergeron | 51-38 |
| 05:20 | Ohio State | David Vera makes the wide open shot from the left side on a nice dish by a doubleteamed John Hill | 51-40 |
| 04:56 | Illinois | Kyle Whiddon misses short on a pull-up jumper from the right wing but the foul's on David Hammond - foul #2 on David Hammond, team foul #6 | 51-40 |
| Subs | Illinois | Thomas Brown (SG), Bradly Carrion (SF), Lawrence Anthony (C) John Bentley, James Werner, Johnny Bergeron | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Walter Burton (PG), Cecil Middlebrook (SG), Brandon Raynor (PF), Darrel Ary (C) Jeremiah Chase, David Hammond, Bryant Smartt, David Vera | |
| 04:56 | Illinois | Kyle Whiddon misses the 1st free throw | 51-40 |
| 04:56 | Illinois | Kyle Whiddon misses the 2nd free throw | 51-40 |
| 04:56 | Ohio State | Brandon Raynor snags the defensive board | 51-40 |
| 04:32 | Ohio State | Darrel Ary drills a runner near the basket on a nice dish by a doubleteamed John Hill and the foul's on Thomas Brown - foul #1 on Thomas Brown, team foul #7 | 51-42 |
| Subs | Illinois | Donnell Guarino (PF) Kyle Whiddon | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Ronald Horstman (SF) John Hill | |
| 04:32 | Ohio State | Darrel Ary misses the free throw | 51-42 |
| 04:32 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Donnell Guarino | 51-42 |
| 04:04 | Illinois | Bradly Carrion can't connect on a jumpshot from the right wing | 51-42 |
| 04:02 | Ohio State | Darrel Ary snags the defensive board | 51-42 |
| 03:40 | Ohio State | Ronald Horstman misses badly on a 3 pointer from the right corner | 51-42 |
| 03:38 | Illinois | Donnell Guarino gets the rebound | 51-42 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Aaron Olsen (fairly fresh) 21 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SG - Thomas Brown (fresh) 1 ast. SF - Bradly Carrion (fresh) 12 pts. 4 ast. PF - Donnell Guarino (fresh) 2 pts. 5 reb. C - Lawrence Anthony (fresh) 2 pts. | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Walter Burton (fresh) 7 pts. 1 ast. 2 stl. SG - Cecil Middlebrook (fresh) SF - Ronald Horstman (fresh) 3 reb. PF - Brandon Raynor (fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. C - Darrel Ary (fresh) 6 pts. 8 reb. | |
| 03:36 | Illinois | Aaron Olsen's pass is off the mark and out of bounds in the backcourt | 51-42 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Ohio State | David Hammond (SG) Cecil Middlebrook | |
| 03:26 | Ohio State | David Hammond is bothered by a doubleteam and misses badly on a 3pt jumper from straight away | 51-42 |
| 03:25 | Illinois | Lawrence Anthony snags the defensive board | 51-42 |
| 02:56 | Illinois | Aaron Olsen misses long on a driving attempt near the basket | 51-42 |
| 02:55 | Ohio State | Brandon Raynor gets the rebound | 51-42 |
| 02:55 | Ohio State | Ohio State calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 51-42 |
| Subs | Illinois | John Bentley (SG), James Werner (SF), Johnny Bergeron (C) Aaron Olsen, Thomas Brown, Lawrence Anthony | |
| Subs | Ohio State | John Hill (SF), Bryant Smartt (PF) Ronald Horstman, Brandon Raynor | |
| 02:37 | Ohio State | David Hammond evades the doubleteam but misses long on a 3pt attempt from the left corner | 51-42 |
| 02:35 | Illinois | Donnell Guarino gets the rebound | 51-42 |
| 02:35 | Illinois | Illinois calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 51-42 |
| Subs | Illinois | Aaron Olsen (PG), Kyle Whiddon (PF) James Werner, Donnell Guarino | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 02:12 | Illinois | John Bentley knocks in the shot from just outside the lane set up by Aaron Olsen | 53-42 |
| 01:52 | Ohio State | Darrel Ary misses the easy open layup | 53-42 |
| 01:51 | Ohio State | Bryant Smartt pulls down the offensive rebound | 53-42 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a triangle offense (uptempo) and a halfcourt press/3-2 zone (-2) | |
| 01:45 | Ohio State | Bryant Smartt knocks in the fadeaway near the basket on a great pass from John Hill | 53-44 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a triangle offense (uptempo) and intentionally fouling (-2) | |
| 01:43 | Illinois | Walter Burton is called for the reach on Aaron Olsen in the backcourt - foul #1 on Walter Burton, team foul #7 | 53-44 |
| Subs | Illinois | Thomas Brown (SG) John Bentley | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 01:43 | Illinois | Aaron Olsen makes the 1st free throw | 54-44 |
| 01:43 | Illinois | Aaron Olsen makes the 2nd free throw | 55-44 |
| 01:35 | Ohio State | Walter Burton is fouled on the floor by Johnny Bergeron - foul #2 on Johnny Bergeron, team foul #8 | 55-44 |
| Subs | Illinois | John Bentley (SG) Thomas Brown | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 01:35 | Ohio State | Walter Burton makes the 1st free throw | 55-45 |
| 01:35 | Ohio State | Walter Burton misses the 2nd free throw | 55-45 |
| 01:35 | Illinois | Kyle Whiddon snags the defensive board | 55-45 |
| 01:32 | Illinois | Kyle Whiddon is hacked by Walter Burton in the backcourt - foul #2 on Walter Burton, team foul #8 | 55-45 |
| Subs | Illinois | Thomas Brown (SG) John Bentley | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 01:32 | Illinois | Kyle Whiddon makes the 1st free throw | 56-45 |
| 01:32 | Illinois | Kyle Whiddon makes the 2nd free throw | 57-45 |
| 01:22 | Ohio State | Bryant Smartt drills a jump hook in the paint | 57-47 |
| 01:19 | Illinois | David Hammond is called for the reach on Aaron Olsen in the backcourt - foul #3 on David Hammond, team foul #9 | 57-47 |
| 01:19 | Illinois | Aaron Olsen makes the 1st free throw | 58-47 |
| 01:19 | Illinois | Aaron Olsen makes the 2nd free throw | 59-47 |
| 01:10 | Ohio State | John Hill lays it up and in set up by David Hammond | 59-49 |
| 01:08 | Illinois | Kyle Whiddon is fouled in the backcourt by Walter Burton - foul #3 on Walter Burton, team foul #10 | 59-49 |
| 01:08 | Illinois | Kyle Whiddon misses the 1st free throw | 59-49 |
| 01:08 | Illinois | Kyle Whiddon makes the 2nd free throw | 60-49 |
| 00:39 | Ohio State | Walter Burton hits the front of the rim on the runner in the paint but the foul's on Aaron Olsen - foul #2 on Aaron Olsen, team foul #9 | 60-49 |
| Subs | Illinois | John Bentley (SG) Thomas Brown | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 00:39 | Ohio State | Walter Burton misses the 1st free throw | 60-49 |
| 00:39 | Ohio State | Walter Burton misses the 2nd free throw | 60-49 |
| 00:39 | Illinois | Johnny Bergeron grabs the defensive rebound | 60-49 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a triangle offense (uptempo) and a halfcourt press/3-2 zone (-2) | |
| 00:12 | Illinois | Bradly Carrion can't connect on a floater from the left wing | 60-49 |
| 00:10 | Ohio State | John Hill pulls down the rebound | 60-49 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a halfcourt press/3-2 zone (-2) | |
| 00:04 | Ohio State | John Hill is bothered by a doubleteam and misses badly on a jump hook in the lane but he's hacked by Kyle Whiddon - foul #2 on Kyle Whiddon, team foul #10 | 60-49 |
| 00:04 | Ohio State | John Hill misses the 1st free throw | 60-49 |
| 00:04 | Ohio State | John Hill makes the 2nd free throw | 60-50 |
| 00:00 | Illinois | Aaron Olsen runs out the clock | 60-50 |