| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Bruce Hicks (fresh) SG - Anthony Stevens (fresh) SF - Eugene Boyle (fresh) PF - Charles Howland (fresh) C - David Saylors (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Sherman Hunter (fresh) SG - Mario Rarick (fresh) SF - Joseph Keith (fresh) PF - Brian McGahey (fresh) C - James Fouch (fresh) | |
| 20:00 | Michigan State | Brian McGahey wins the tip | 0-0 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a flex offense and a man to man (0) | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| 19:43 | Michigan State | Sherman Hunter hits the front of the rim on the jumpshot from just outside the lane | 0-0 |
| 19:41 | Illinois | Eugene Boyle snags the defensive board | 0-0 |
| 19:23 | Illinois | David Saylors misses long on a fadeaway near the basket | 0-0 |
| 19:22 | Illinois | Bruce Hicks grabs the offensive board | 0-0 |
| 19:06 | Illinois | Joseph Keith is called for the reach on Anthony Stevens - foul #1 on Joseph Keith, team foul #1 | 0-0 |
| 19:01 | Illinois | James Fouch blocks the short jumper by Anthony Stevens | 0-0 |
| 19:00 | Illinois | Eugene Boyle tips it back up and in | 2-0 |
| 18:42 | Michigan State | Sherman Hunter is whistled for traveling | 2-0 |
| 18:35 | Illinois | Eugene Boyle throws a bad pass out of bounds | 2-0 |
| 18:27 | Michigan State | Sherman Hunter clanks a floater from the free throw line but the foul's on Eugene Boyle - foul #1 on Eugene Boyle, team foul #1 | 2-0 |
| 18:27 | Michigan State | Sherman Hunter misses the 1st free throw | 2-0 |
| 18:27 | Michigan State | Sherman Hunter misses the 2nd free throw | 2-0 |
| 18:27 | Illinois | David Saylors pulls down the rebound | 2-0 |
| 18:09 | Illinois | David Saylors misses badly on a fadeaway in the paint | 2-0 |
| 18:08 | Michigan State | Brian McGahey pulls down the rebound | 2-0 |
| 17:50 | Michigan State | James Fouch buries a runner in the lane set up by Joseph Keith | 2-2 |
| 17:35 | Illinois | Charles Howland misses the fadeaway from the right block but he's hacked by Joseph Keith - foul #2 on Joseph Keith, team foul #2 | 2-2 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Harold Okamoto (PG), Ernest Heintzelman (SG), Jeffrey Kawczynski (SF), Ronald Mayle (PF) Sherman Hunter, Mario Rarick, Joseph Keith, Brian McGahey | |
| 17:35 | Illinois | Charles Howland misses the 1st free throw | 2-2 |
| 17:35 | Illinois | Charles Howland makes the 2nd free throw | 3-2 |
| 17:25 | Michigan State | Jeffrey Kawczynski's fadeaway is rejected by David Saylors | 3-2 |
| 17:23 | Illinois | Charles Howland grabs the defensive rebound | 3-2 |
| 17:03 | Illinois | Anthony Stevens loses the ball out of bounds | 3-2 |
| 16:44 | Michigan State | Harold Okamoto clanks a fadeaway from the free throw line | 3-2 |
| 16:42 | Illinois | Charles Howland gets the rebound | 3-2 |
| 16:39 | Illinois | David Saylors throws a bad pass out of bounds in the backcourt | 3-2 |
| Subs | Illinois | Steven Bennett (SF), Paul Wason (PF), David Fielder (C) Eugene Boyle, Charles Howland, David Saylors | |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| 16:30 | Michigan State | Harold Okamoto makes the shot from the right side set up by Ernest Heintzelman | 3-4 |
| 16:12 | Illinois | Anthony Stevens buries a 3pt shot from the left corner on a great pass from Bruce Hicks | 6-4 |
| 16:02 | Michigan State | James Fouch is fouled on the floor by David Fielder - foul #1 on David Fielder, team foul #2 | 6-4 |
| Subs | Illinois | Randy McGibbon (PG), John Giancola (SG) Bruce Hicks, Anthony Stevens | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Mario Rarick (SG), Hollis Lachance (SF), Brian McGahey (PF) Ernest Heintzelman, Jeffrey Kawczynski, Ronald Mayle | |
| 15:53 | Michigan State | James Fouch double dribbles | 6-4 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Randy McGibbon (fresh) SG - John Giancola (fresh) SF - Steven Bennett (fresh) PF - Paul Wason (fresh) C - David Fielder (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Harold Okamoto (fresh) 2 pts. SG - Mario Rarick (fresh) SF - Hollis Lachance (fresh) PF - Brian McGahey (fresh) C - James Fouch (fairly fresh) 2 pts. | |
| 15:46 | Illinois | Steven Bennett's pass is off the mark and out of bounds in the backcourt | 6-4 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Mark Douglas (PG) Harold Okamoto | |
| 15:31 | Michigan State | Mario Rarick hits the front of the rim on the shot from just outside the lane | 6-4 |
| 15:30 | Illinois | Paul Wason gets the rebound | 6-4 |
| 15:11 | Illinois | Randy McGibbon clanks a 3pt jumper from the left corner | 6-4 |
| 15:10 | Michigan State | Brian McGahey grabs the defensive rebound | 6-4 |
| 15:04 | Michigan State | Hollis Lachance comes up short on the jumper from the left side | 6-4 |
| 15:03 | Michigan State | Brian McGahey tips it back up and in | 6-6 |
| 14:48 | Illinois | David Fielder is called for 3 seconds | 6-6 |
| Subs | Illinois | Bruce Hicks (PG), Anthony Stevens (SG), Eugene Boyle (SF), Charles Howland (PF), David Saylors (C) Randy McGibbon, John Giancola, Steven Bennett, Paul Wason, David Fielder | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Sherman Hunter (PG), Harold Okamoto (SG), John Ferguson (SF), Ronald Mayle (C) Mark Douglas, Mario Rarick, Hollis Lachance, James Fouch | |
| 14:25 | Michigan State | Brian McGahey is called for 3 seconds in the lane | 6-6 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Jeffrey Kawczynski (PF) Brian McGahey | |
| 14:02 | Illinois | David Saylors travels with the ball | 6-6 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | James Fouch (C) John Ferguson | |
| 13:33 | Michigan State | Ronald Mayle misses the jumpshot from the free throw line but he's hacked by Charles Howland - foul #1 on Charles Howland, team foul #3 | 6-6 |
| Subs | Illinois | Randy McGibbon (PG), John Giancola (SG), Paul Wason (PF) Bruce Hicks, Anthony Stevens, Charles Howland | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Ernest Heintzelman (PG), Mark Douglas (SG), Hollis Lachance (SF) Sherman Hunter, Harold Okamoto, Jeffrey Kawczynski | |
| 13:33 | Michigan State | Ronald Mayle makes the 1st free throw | 6-7 |
| 13:33 | Michigan State | Ronald Mayle misses the 2nd free throw | 6-7 |
| 13:33 | Illinois | Eugene Boyle grabs the defensive rebound | 6-7 |
| 13:16 | Illinois | John Giancola can't connect on a shot from the right wing | 6-7 |
| 13:14 | Michigan State | James Fouch grabs the defensive rebound | 6-7 |
| 13:09 | Michigan State | Hollis Lachance throws a bad pass out of bounds | 6-7 |
| Subs | Illinois | Steven Bennett (C) David Saylors | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Mario Rarick (SG), Brian McGahey (PF) Mark Douglas, Ronald Mayle | |
| 12:50 | Illinois | Eugene Boyle clanks a jumper from the left wing | 6-7 |
| 12:49 | Illinois | Eugene Boyle pulls down the offensive rebound | 6-7 |
| 12:36 | Illinois | John Giancola connects on the open 3pt shot from the right wing on a nice dish by Randy McGibbon | 9-7 |
| 12:23 | Michigan State | Steven Bennett swats the short shot by Hollis Lachance | 9-7 |
| 12:21 | Illinois | John Giancola grabs the board | 9-7 |
| 12:16 | Illinois | Eugene Boyle clanks a 3 pointer from the left wing | 9-7 |
| 12:15 | Michigan State | Ernest Heintzelman pulls down the rebound | 9-7 |
| 12:10 | Michigan State | Ernest Heintzelman is whistled for traveling | 9-7 |
| Subs | Illinois | Bruce Hicks (PG), Anthony Stevens (SG), Charles Howland (PF), David Fielder (C) Randy McGibbon, John Giancola, Eugene Boyle, Paul Wason | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Sherman Hunter (PG), Harold Okamoto (SG), John Ferguson (SF), Jeffrey Kawczynski (PF) Ernest Heintzelman, Mario Rarick, Hollis Lachance, Brian McGahey | |
| 11:47 | Illinois | David Fielder misses the lay-in but the foul's on James Fouch - foul #1 on James Fouch, team foul #3 | 9-7 |
| Subs | Illinois | John Giancola (SF), David Saylors (C) Steven Bennett, Charles Howland | |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| 11:47 | Illinois | David Fielder misses the 1st free throw | 9-7 |
| 11:47 | Illinois | David Fielder misses the 2nd free throw | 9-7 |
| 11:47 | Michigan State | James Fouch pulls down the rebound | 9-7 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Bruce Hicks (fresh) 1 ast. SG - Anthony Stevens (fresh) 3 pts. SF - John Giancola (fresh) 3 pts. PF - David Fielder (fresh) C - David Saylors (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Sherman Hunter (fresh) SG - Harold Okamoto (fresh) 2 pts. SF - John Ferguson (fresh) PF - Jeffrey Kawczynski (fresh) C - James Fouch (tiring) 2 pts. 2 reb. | |
| 11:35 | Michigan State | John Ferguson's fadeaway is rejected by David Saylors | 9-7 |
| 11:34 | Michigan State | Sherman Hunter snags the offensive board | 9-7 |
| 11:23 | Michigan State | Sherman Hunter scores on a floater near the basket | 9-9 |
| 11:21 | Illinois | James Fouch is called for the reach on Bruce Hicks in the backcourt - foul #2 on James Fouch, team foul #4 | 9-9 |
| Subs | Illinois | Charles Howland (PF) David Fielder | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Mark Douglas (SG), Ronald Mayle (C) Sherman Hunter, James Fouch | |
| 11:05 | Illinois | David Saylors misses long on an open floater from the right side | 9-9 |
| 11:04 | Michigan State | Ronald Mayle grabs the board | 9-9 |
| 10:59 | Michigan State | Anthony Stevens is called for the reach on Harold Okamoto - foul #1 on Anthony Stevens, team foul #4 | 9-9 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Mario Rarick (SG), Brian McGahey (PF) Mark Douglas, John Ferguson | |
| 10:52 | Michigan State | Jeffrey Kawczynski double dribbles | 9-9 |
| 10:45 | Illinois | Brian McGahey steals it from John Giancola in the backcourt | 9-9 |
| 10:36 | Michigan State | Ronald Mayle hits the front of the rim on the shot from just outside the lane | 9-9 |
| 10:34 | Michigan State | Jeffrey Kawczynski gets the offensive rebound | 9-9 |
| 10:28 | Michigan State | Mario Rarick knocks in the 3pt shot from straight away on a great pass from Jeffrey Kawczynski | 9-12 |
| 10:26 | Illinois | Jeffrey Kawczynski is called for the reach on Bruce Hicks in the backcourt - foul #1 on Jeffrey Kawczynski, team foul #5 | 9-12 |
| Subs | Illinois | Steven Bennett (PG), Randy McGibbon (SG), Eugene Boyle (SF), Paul Wason (C) Bruce Hicks, Anthony Stevens, John Giancola, David Saylors | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Ernest Heintzelman (PG) Harold Okamoto | |
| 10:08 | Illinois | Mario Rarick steps in front of the Charles Howland pass | 9-12 |
| 09:56 | Michigan State | Jeffrey Kawczynski can't connect on a 3pt attempt from the right wing | 9-12 |
| 09:54 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Paul Wason | 9-12 |
| 09:31 | Illinois | Randy McGibbon is called for 5 seconds | 9-12 |
| Subs | Illinois | Anthony Stevens (SG), David Fielder (C) Eugene Boyle, Charles Howland | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Sherman Hunter (PG), Harold Okamoto (SG), Hollis Lachance (SF) Ernest Heintzelman, Mario Rarick, Jeffrey Kawczynski | |
| 09:10 | Michigan State | Steven Bennett is called for the reach on Harold Okamoto - foul #1 on Steven Bennett, team foul #5 | 9-12 |
| Subs | Illinois | Bruce Hicks (PG), John Giancola (SF), David Saylors (C) Randy McGibbon, Steven Bennett, Paul Wason | |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| 08:47 | Michigan State | Hollis Lachance hits a pull-up jumper from the left side set up by Harold Okamoto | 9-14 |
| 08:33 | Illinois | David Saylors buries a driving attempt in the paint on a nice dish by Anthony Stevens and he's hacked by Ronald Mayle - foul #1 on Ronald Mayle, team foul #6 | 11-14 |
| Subs | Illinois | Eugene Boyle (SF) John Giancola | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Ernest Heintzelman (SG), John Ferguson (SF) Sherman Hunter, Brian McGahey | |
| 08:33 | Illinois | David Saylors makes the free throw | 12-14 |
| 08:13 | Michigan State | Ernest Heintzelman hits a shot from the right side | 12-16 |
| 07:53 | Illinois | Hollis Lachance swats the short shot by Eugene Boyle | 12-16 |
| 07:51 | Illinois | David Fielder grabs the offensive board | 12-16 |
| 07:33 | Illinois | Bruce Hicks is fouled on the floor by Ronald Mayle - foul #2 on Ronald Mayle, team foul #7 | 12-16 |
| Subs | Illinois | Randy McGibbon (SG), John Giancola (SF), Paul Wason (PF), Steven Bennett (C) Anthony Stevens, Eugene Boyle, David Fielder, David Saylors | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Mario Rarick (SG), Brian McGahey (PF), Jeffrey Kawczynski (C) Harold Okamoto, Hollis Lachance, Ronald Mayle | |
| 07:33 | Illinois | Bruce Hicks makes the 1st free throw | 13-16 |
| 07:33 | Illinois | Bruce Hicks misses the 2nd free throw | 13-16 |
| 07:33 | Michigan State | Brian McGahey gets the rebound | 13-16 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Bruce Hicks (fairly fresh) 1 pts. 1 ast. SG - Randy McGibbon (fresh) 1 ast. SF - John Giancola (fresh) 3 pts. PF - Paul Wason (fresh) 2 reb. C - Steven Bennett (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Ernest Heintzelman (fresh) 2 pts. 1 ast. SG - Mario Rarick (fresh) 3 pts. SF - John Ferguson (fresh) PF - Brian McGahey (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. C - Jeffrey Kawczynski (fairly fresh) | |
| 07:31 | Michigan State | Ernest Heintzelman's pass is intercepted by Bruce Hicks in the backcourt | 13-16 |
| 07:30 | Illinois | Paul Wason banks in the layup set up by Bruce Hicks | 15-16 |
| 07:21 | Michigan State | Ernest Heintzelman hits a pull-up jumper from the free throw line set up by John Ferguson | 15-18 |
| 07:04 | Illinois | John Giancola loses the dribble to Ernest Heintzelman | 15-18 |
| 07:00 | Michigan State | John Ferguson misses short on a shot from the left side | 15-18 |
| 06:59 | Illinois | Paul Wason pulls down the rebound | 15-18 |
| 06:32 | Illinois | John Giancola hits a wide open floater from the free throw line on a great pass from Bruce Hicks | 17-18 |
| 06:27 | Michigan State | Mario Rarick comes up short on the 3 from straight away | 17-18 |
| 06:25 | Illinois | John Giancola grabs the board | 17-18 |
| 06:21 | Illinois | Ernest Heintzelman steals the ball from Randy McGibbon in the backcourt | 17-18 |
| 06:18 | Michigan State | Ernest Heintzelman dunks the ball | 17-20 |
| 06:05 | Illinois | John Giancola is fouled on the floor by John Ferguson - foul #1 on John Ferguson, team foul #8 | 17-20 |
| Subs | Illinois | Anthony Stevens (SG), Eugene Boyle (SF), Charles Howland (PF), David Saylors (C) Bruce Hicks, Randy McGibbon, Paul Wason, Steven Bennett | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Sherman Hunter (PG), Harold Okamoto (SG), Joseph Keith (SF), James Fouch (C) Ernest Heintzelman, Mario Rarick, John Ferguson, Jeffrey Kawczynski | |
| 06:05 | Illinois | John Giancola makes the 1st free throw | 18-20 |
| 06:05 | Illinois | John Giancola makes the 2nd free throw | 19-20 |
| 05:36 | Michigan State | James Fouch comes up short on the floater near the basket | 19-20 |
| 05:35 | Illinois | Anthony Stevens grabs the board | 19-20 |
| 05:16 | Illinois | David Saylors comes up short on the fadeaway jumper from the left side | 19-20 |
| 05:14 | Michigan State | Brian McGahey grabs the board | 19-20 |
| 04:54 | Michigan State | James Fouch is fouled on the floor by David Saylors - foul #1 on David Saylors, team foul #6 | 19-20 |
| Subs | Illinois | Randy McGibbon (PG), Paul Wason (C) John Giancola, David Saylors | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Mark Douglas (SG), Hollis Lachance (PF) Harold Okamoto, Brian McGahey | |
| 04:34 | Michigan State | James Fouch misses badly on a runner from the left block but he's fouled by Charles Howland - foul #2 on Charles Howland, team foul #7 | 19-20 |
| Subs | Illinois | Steven Bennett (SF), David Fielder (C) Eugene Boyle, Charles Howland | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Mario Rarick (SG) Sherman Hunter | |
| 04:34 | Michigan State | James Fouch misses the 1st free throw | 19-20 |
| 04:34 | Michigan State | James Fouch misses the 2nd free throw | 19-20 |
| 04:34 | Illinois | David Fielder gets the rebound | 19-20 |
| 04:17 | Illinois | David Fielder clanks a jumper from the right wing | 19-20 |
| 04:15 | Michigan State | Mark Douglas pulls down the rebound | 19-20 |
| 04:09 | Michigan State | The short jumper by James Fouch is denied by David Fielder | 19-20 |
| 04:08 | Illinois | Steven Bennett snags the defensive board | 19-20 |
| 03:45 | Illinois | Mario Rarick picks off the pass by Paul Wason | 19-20 |
| 03:23 | Michigan State | Mark Douglas hits a floater from the free throw line on a great pass from James Fouch | 19-22 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Randy McGibbon (fairly fresh) 1 ast. SG - Anthony Stevens (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. SF - Steven Bennett (fairly fresh) PF - Paul Wason (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. C - David Fielder (fresh) 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Mark Douglas (fresh) 2 pts. SG - Mario Rarick (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 2 stl. SF - Joseph Keith (fairly fresh) 1 ast. PF - Hollis Lachance (fairly fresh) 2 pts. C - James Fouch (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. | |
| 03:08 | Illinois | Steven Bennett connects on the open floater from the left block on a great pass from Paul Wason | 21-22 |
| 02:51 | Michigan State | Joseph Keith misses short on a shot from the right wing | 21-22 |
| 02:50 | Michigan State | Joseph Keith can't tip it in | 21-22 |
| 02:48 | Michigan State | James Fouch tips it but misses | 21-22 |
| 02:47 | Michigan State | Mark Douglas snags the offensive board | 21-22 |
| 02:38 | Michigan State | Mark Douglas hits a floater from the free throw line | 21-24 |
| 02:14 | Illinois | Randy McGibbon makes the 3 from the left wing on a great pass from Anthony Stevens | 24-24 |
| 01:59 | Michigan State | James Fouch is fouled on the floor by Steven Bennett - foul #2 on Steven Bennett, team foul #8 | 24-24 |
| Subs | Illinois | Bruce Hicks (PG), John Giancola (SG), Eugene Boyle (SF), Charles Howland (PF), David Saylors (C) Randy McGibbon, Anthony Stevens, Steven Bennett, Paul Wason, David Fielder | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Sherman Hunter (PG), Harold Okamoto (SG), Jeffrey Kawczynski (SF), Ronald Mayle (PF) Mark Douglas, Mario Rarick, Joseph Keith, Hollis Lachance | |
| 01:59 | Michigan State | James Fouch misses the 1st free throw | 24-24 |
| 01:59 | Illinois | Charles Howland snags the defensive board | 24-24 |
| 01:50 | Illinois | David Saylors blows the layup | 24-24 |
| 01:49 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to James Fouch | 24-24 |
| 01:27 | Michigan State | Jeffrey Kawczynski misses long on a shot from the left block | 24-24 |
| 01:26 | Illinois | John Giancola grabs the defensive rebound | 24-24 |
| 01:12 | Illinois | Eugene Boyle knocks in the 3pt attempt from the left wing | 27-24 |
| 00:58 | Michigan State | Jeffrey Kawczynski clanks a jumpshot from the left wing but he's fouled by Eugene Boyle - foul #2 on Eugene Boyle, team foul #9 | 27-24 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | John Ferguson (SF) James Fouch | |
| 00:58 | Michigan State | Jeffrey Kawczynski misses the 1st free throw | 27-24 |
| 00:58 | Michigan State | Jeffrey Kawczynski makes the 2nd free throw | 27-25 |
| 00:41 | Illinois | Bruce Hicks is fouled on the floor by John Ferguson - foul #2 on John Ferguson, team foul #9 | 27-25 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Ernest Heintzelman (SG), Brian McGahey (PF) Sherman Hunter, Jeffrey Kawczynski | |
| 00:41 | Illinois | Bruce Hicks misses the 1st free throw | 27-25 |
| 00:41 | Michigan State | Brian McGahey pulls down the rebound | 27-25 |
| 00:39 | Michigan State | Harold Okamoto is called for a moving pick in the backcourt - foul #1 on Harold Okamoto, team foul #10 | 27-25 |
| 00:24 | Illinois | John Giancola scores on a 3pt shot from straight away | 30-25 |
| 00:04 | Michigan State | Harold Okamoto lays it in and he's hacked by Bruce Hicks - foul #1 on Bruce Hicks, team foul #10 | 30-27 |
| Subs | Illinois | Anthony Stevens (SG) John Giancola | |
| Subs | Michigan State | James Fouch (C) Ronald Mayle | |
| 00:04 | Michigan State | Harold Okamoto misses the free throw | 30-27 |
| 00:04 | Illinois | David Saylors grabs the defensive rebound | 30-27 |
| 00:00 | Illinois | David Saylors misses long on a halfcourt shot | 30-27 |