| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Clifton Peters (fresh) SG - Leon Hall (fresh) SF - Leon Skinner (fresh) PF - Robert Moralez (fresh) C - Freddy Ross (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Villanova | PG - Timothy Myers (fresh) SG - Marc Spann (fresh) SF - Rick Hart (fresh) PF - David Evans (fresh) C - Carl Fox (fresh) | |
| 20:00 | Illinois | Freddy Ross wins the tip | 0-0 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense and a fullcourt press (-3) | |
| Game Plan | Villanova | Villanova is playing a flex offense (slowdown) and a fullcourt press (-1) | |
| 19:45 | Illinois | Clifton Peters misses the fadeaway from the left side but he's hacked by Marc Spann - foul #1 on Marc Spann, team foul #1 | 0-0 |
| 19:45 | Illinois | Clifton Peters makes the 1st free throw | 1-0 |
| 19:45 | Illinois | Clifton Peters makes the 2nd free throw | 2-0 |
| 19:43 | Villanova | Leon Hall steals the ball from David Evans in the backcourt | 2-0 |
| 19:42 | Illinois | Leon Hall misses the lay-in | 2-0 |
| 19:41 | Villanova | Marc Spann snags the defensive board | 2-0 |
| 19:35 | Villanova | Leon Skinner is called for the reach on Rick Hart - foul #1 on Leon Skinner, team foul #1 | 2-0 |
| 19:18 | Villanova | Carl Fox's fadeaway is rejected by Robert Moralez | 2-0 |
| 19:16 | Villanova | David Evans tips it but misses | 2-0 |
| 19:15 | Illinois | Freddy Ross pulls down the rebound | 2-0 |
| 18:47 | Illinois | Freddy Ross is wide open but clanks a turnaround in the paint | 2-0 |
| 18:46 | Villanova | Rick Hart grabs the defensive rebound | 2-0 |
| 18:25 | Villanova | Rick Hart buries a turnaround from the baseline | 2-2 |
| 18:23 | Illinois | Leon Hall's pass is off the mark and out of bounds in the backcourt | 2-2 |
| 18:05 | Villanova | Carl Fox can't throw it down | 2-2 |
| 18:04 | Villanova | Marc Spann can't tip it in | 2-2 |
| 18:03 | Illinois | Leon Skinner gets the rebound | 2-2 |
| 18:01 | Illinois | Clifton Peters is fouled in the backcourt by Carl Fox - foul #1 on Carl Fox, team foul #2 | 2-2 |
| 17:45 | Illinois | Freddy Ross blows the layup but the foul's on David Evans - foul #1 on David Evans, team foul #3 | 2-2 |
| Subs | Illinois | Adam Welter (PG), Patrick McCorrison (SG), Mario Klingbeil (SF), Larry Stanley (PF) Clifton Peters, Leon Hall, Leon Skinner, Robert Moralez | |
| Subs | Villanova | Anthony Ragland (SG), Phil Rabago (SF), Loyd Williams (C) Marc Spann, Rick Hart, Carl Fox | |
| 17:45 | Illinois | Freddy Ross misses the 1st free throw | 2-2 |
| 17:45 | Illinois | Freddy Ross misses the 2nd free throw | 2-2 |
| 17:45 | Villanova | David Evans snags the defensive board | 2-2 |
| 17:43 | Villanova | Timothy Myers is hacked by Patrick McCorrison in the backcourt - foul #1 on Patrick McCorrison, team foul #2 | 2-2 |
| Subs | Illinois | Ronnie Hickey (C) Freddy Ross | |
| Subs | Villanova | | |
| 17:17 | Villanova | Loyd Williams's layup is rejected by Ronnie Hickey | 2-2 |
| 17:16 | Villanova | Loyd Williams misses the tip | 2-2 |
| 17:14 | Illinois | Mario Klingbeil grabs the board | 2-2 |
| 16:55 | Illinois | Mario Klingbeil misses the easy open layup | 2-2 |
| 16:53 | Villanova | Loyd Williams snags the defensive board | 2-2 |
| 16:47 | Villanova | Patrick McCorrison steals it from David Evans | 2-2 |
| 16:44 | Illinois | Adam Welter banks in the layup on a nice dish by Patrick McCorrison | 4-2 |
| 16:19 | Villanova | Anthony Ragland makes the wide open jumper from the left side on a great pass from Phil Rabago | 4-4 |
| 15:57 | Illinois | Patrick McCorrison misses long on a shot from the right block but the foul's on Anthony Ragland - foul #1 on Anthony Ragland, team foul #4 | 4-4 |
| Subs | Illinois | Clifton Peters (PG), Jack Robinson (SG), Anthony Golden (PF), Freddy Ross (C) Adam Welter, Mario Klingbeil, Larry Stanley, Ronnie Hickey | |
| Subs | Villanova | Robert Follansbee (PG), Marc Spann (SG), Rick Hart (PF), Carl Fox (C) Timothy Myers, Anthony Ragland, David Evans, Loyd Williams | |
| 15:57 | Illinois | Patrick McCorrison misses the 1st free throw | 4-4 |
| 15:57 | Illinois | Patrick McCorrison misses the 2nd free throw | 4-4 |
| 15:57 | Illinois | Freddy Ross grabs the offensive board | 4-4 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Clifton Peters (fairly fresh) 2 pts. SG - Jack Robinson (fresh) SF - Patrick McCorrison (fairly fresh) PF - Anthony Golden (fresh) C - Freddy Ross (fairly fresh) 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Villanova | PG - Robert Follansbee (fresh) SG - Marc Spann (fairly fresh) SF - Phil Rabago (fairly fresh) PF - Rick Hart (fairly fresh) 2 pts. C - Carl Fox (fairly fresh) | |
| 15:45 | Illinois | Freddy Ross is hacked by Rick Hart - foul #1 on Rick Hart, team foul #5 | 4-4 |
| Subs | Illinois | Leon Skinner (SF) Patrick McCorrison | |
| Subs | Villanova | | |
| 15:21 | Illinois | Anthony Golden throws a bad pass out of bounds | 4-4 |
| 14:57 | Villanova | Rick Hart hits the front of the rim on the jumper from the right wing | 4-4 |
| 14:56 | Villanova | Marc Spann grabs the offensive rebound | 4-4 |
| 14:44 | Villanova | Marc Spann makes the 3pt jumper from the left wing on a great pass from Rick Hart | 4-7 |
| 14:23 | Illinois | Rick Hart picks off the pass by Freddy Ross | 4-7 |
| 14:03 | Villanova | Phil Rabago is hacked by Anthony Golden - foul #1 on Anthony Golden, team foul #3 | 4-7 |
| Subs | Illinois | Leon Hall (SG), Mario Klingbeil (SF), Robert Moralez (PF), Ronnie Hickey (C) Jack Robinson, Leon Skinner, Anthony Golden, Freddy Ross | |
| Subs | Villanova | Timothy Myers (PG), Anthony Ragland (SG), John Robbins (SF), David Evans (PF), Loyd Williams (C) Robert Follansbee, Marc Spann, Phil Rabago, Rick Hart, Carl Fox | |
| 13:47 | Villanova | Loyd Williams is wide open but clanks a jumper from the left wing | 4-7 |
| 13:46 | Illinois | Robert Moralez gets the rebound | 4-7 |
| 13:41 | Illinois | Clifton Peters can't connect on a 3 pointer from straight away | 4-7 |
| 13:40 | Villanova | David Evans gets the rebound | 4-7 |
| 13:17 | Villanova | Timothy Myers banks in the layup on a great pass from Anthony Ragland and he's fouled by Mario Klingbeil - foul #1 on Mario Klingbeil, team foul #4 | 4-9 |
| Subs | Illinois | Adam Welter (PG) Clifton Peters | |
| Subs | Villanova | | |
| 13:17 | Villanova | Timothy Myers makes the free throw | 4-10 |
| 13:08 | Illinois | Mario Klingbeil connects on the jumper from the right wing set up by Leon Hall | 6-10 |
| 13:03 | Villanova | Leon Hall picks off the pass by Timothy Myers in the backcourt | 6-10 |
| 12:45 | Illinois | Adam Welter misses long on a fadeaway from just outside the lane | 6-10 |
| 12:43 | Illinois | Ronnie Hickey snags the offensive board | 6-10 |
| 12:25 | Illinois | Robert Moralez knocks in the driving attempt from the baseline on a great pass from Leon Hall | 8-10 |
| 12:19 | Villanova | John Robbins is hacked by Mario Klingbeil in the backcourt - foul #2 on Mario Klingbeil, team foul #5 | 8-10 |
| Subs | Illinois | Clifton Peters (PG), Patrick McCorrison (SG), Leon Skinner (SF), Larry Stanley (PF), Freddy Ross (C) Adam Welter, Leon Hall, Mario Klingbeil, Robert Moralez, Ronnie Hickey | |
| Subs | Villanova | Marc Spann (SG), Phil Rabago (SF), Carl Fox (C) Anthony Ragland, John Robbins, Loyd Williams | |
| 12:01 | Villanova | David Evans is called for a backcourt violation | 8-10 |
| 11:46 | Illinois | Freddy Ross misses the wide open shot in the paint | 8-10 |
| 11:44 | Villanova | The rebound goes to David Evans | 8-10 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Clifton Peters (tiring) 2 pts. SG - Patrick McCorrison (fairly fresh) SF - Leon Skinner (tired) PF - Larry Stanley (fresh) C - Freddy Ross (tiring) 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Villanova | PG - Timothy Myers (tiring) 3 pts. SG - Marc Spann (tiring) 3 pts. SF - Phil Rabago (fairly fresh) PF - David Evans (tired) 4 reb. C - Carl Fox (tiring) | |
| 11:19 | Villanova | Freddy Ross denies the turnaround by David Evans | 8-10 |
| 11:17 | Illinois | Patrick McCorrison pulls down the rebound | 8-10 |
| 11:00 | Illinois | Larry Stanley connects on the jump hook from the baseline on a nice dish by Clifton Peters and he's hacked by David Evans - foul #2 on David Evans, team foul #6 | 10-10 |
| Subs | Illinois | Adam Welter (PG), Jack Robinson (SG), Anthony Golden (PF) Clifton Peters, Patrick McCorrison, Leon Skinner | |
| Subs | Villanova | Robert Follansbee (PG), Anthony Ragland (SG), Rick Hart (PF), Loyd Williams (C) Timothy Myers, Marc Spann, David Evans, Carl Fox | |
| 11:00 | Illinois | Larry Stanley misses the free throw | 10-10 |
| 11:00 | Villanova | Loyd Williams grabs the defensive rebound | 10-10 |
| 10:36 | Villanova | Anthony Ragland misses long on a shot in the paint | 10-10 |
| 10:34 | Villanova | Phil Rabago gets the offensive rebound | 10-10 |
| 10:19 | Villanova | Rick Hart connects on the runner from close range on a nice dish by Robert Follansbee | 10-12 |
| 10:03 | Illinois | Adam Welter lays it in | 12-12 |
| 09:58 | Villanova | Robert Follansbee is hacked by Larry Stanley in the backcourt - foul #1 on Larry Stanley, team foul #6 | 12-12 |
| Subs | Illinois | Leon Hall (SG), Patrick McCorrison (SF), Robert Moralez (PF), Ronnie Hickey (C) Jack Robinson, Larry Stanley, Anthony Golden, Freddy Ross | |
| Subs | Villanova | Timothy Myers (PG), Marc Spann (SG), Carl Fox (C) Robert Follansbee, Anthony Ragland, Loyd Williams | |
| 09:42 | Villanova | Carl Fox hits a jumper from the left block and he's fouled by Leon Hall - foul #1 on Leon Hall, team foul #7 | 12-14 |
| Subs | Illinois | Clifton Peters (PG) Adam Welter | |
| Subs | Villanova | John Robbins (SF) Phil Rabago | |
| 09:42 | Villanova | Carl Fox misses the free throw | 12-14 |
| 09:42 | Illinois | Ronnie Hickey gets the rebound | 12-14 |
| 09:28 | Illinois | Patrick McCorrison clanks a fadeaway from the right wing but the foul's on John Robbins - foul #1 on John Robbins, team foul #7 | 12-14 |
| 09:28 | Illinois | Patrick McCorrison makes the 1st free throw | 13-14 |
| 09:28 | Illinois | Patrick McCorrison misses the 2nd free throw | 13-14 |
| 09:28 | Villanova | Carl Fox gets the rebound | 13-14 |
| 09:26 | Villanova | Clifton Peters steals the ball from Timothy Myers in the backcourt | 13-14 |
| 09:12 | Illinois | The jumper by Patrick McCorrison is denied by Rick Hart | 13-14 |
| 09:10 | Illinois | Robert Moralez grabs the offensive rebound | 13-14 |
| 08:56 | Illinois | Leon Hall is called for traveling | 13-14 |
| 08:56 | Villanova | Villanova calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 13-14 |
| Subs | Illinois | Adam Welter (PG), Jack Robinson (SG), Anthony Golden (PF) Clifton Peters, Leon Hall, Robert Moralez | |
| Subs | Villanova | Robert Follansbee (SG), Loyd Williams (PF) Marc Spann, Rick Hart | |
| 08:28 | Villanova | Loyd Williams lays it in | 13-16 |
| 08:26 | Illinois | Robert Follansbee is called for the reach on Jack Robinson in the backcourt - foul #1 on Robert Follansbee, team foul #8 | 13-16 |
| Subs | Illinois | Leon Skinner (SF), Freddy Ross (C) Patrick McCorrison, Ronnie Hickey | |
| Subs | Villanova | Anthony Ragland (SG), Phil Rabago (SF), Rick Hart (PF) Timothy Myers, John Robbins, Carl Fox | |
| 08:26 | Illinois | Jack Robinson makes the 1st free throw | 14-16 |
| 08:26 | Illinois | Jack Robinson makes the 2nd free throw | 15-16 |
| 08:04 | Villanova | Rick Hart's pass is intercepted by Anthony Golden | 15-16 |
| 08:02 | Illinois | Jack Robinson loses the dribble to Robert Follansbee in the backcourt | 15-16 |
| 07:47 | Villanova | Rick Hart hits the front of the rim on the pull-up jumper from the free throw line but the foul's on Leon Skinner - foul #2 on Leon Skinner, team foul #8 | 15-16 |
| Subs | Illinois | Clifton Peters (PG), Leon Hall (SG), Patrick McCorrison (SF), Larry Stanley (PF) Adam Welter, Jack Robinson, Leon Skinner, Anthony Golden | |
| Subs | Villanova | Timothy Myers (PG) Robert Follansbee | |
| 07:47 | Villanova | Rick Hart misses the 1st free throw | 15-16 |
| 07:47 | Villanova | Rick Hart misses the 2nd free throw | 15-16 |
| 07:47 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Larry Stanley | 15-16 |
| 07:32 | Illinois | Leon Hall connects on the open jumper from the right wing on a great pass from Patrick McCorrison | 17-16 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Clifton Peters (tiring) 2 pts. 1 ast. SG - Leon Hall (tiring) 2 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SF - Patrick McCorrison (fairly fresh) 1 pts. PF - Larry Stanley (fresh) 2 pts. C - Freddy Ross (tiring) 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Villanova | PG - Timothy Myers (tiring) 3 pts. SG - Anthony Ragland (tiring) 2 pts. 1 ast. SF - Phil Rabago (tiring) PF - Rick Hart (tired) 4 pts. C - Loyd Williams (tiring) 2 pts. 3 reb. | |
| 07:06 | Villanova | Timothy Myers is called for traveling | 17-16 |
| Subs | Illinois | Robert Moralez (PF), Ronnie Hickey (C) Patrick McCorrison, Freddy Ross | |
| Subs | Villanova | Marc Spann (SG), Carl Fox (C) Anthony Ragland, Rick Hart | |
| 07:03 | Illinois | Clifton Peters is hacked by Marc Spann in the backcourt - foul #2 on Marc Spann, team foul #9 | 17-16 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Villanova | Robert Follansbee (SG) Marc Spann | |
| 07:03 | Illinois | Clifton Peters misses the 1st free throw | 17-16 |
| 07:03 | Illinois | Larry Stanley gets the offensive rebound | 17-16 |
| 06:50 | Illinois | Clifton Peters clanks a 3 pointer from the left wing | 17-16 |
| 06:49 | Villanova | Phil Rabago grabs the board | 17-16 |
| 06:28 | Villanova | The jump hook by Carl Fox is blocked by Robert Moralez | 17-16 |
| 06:26 | Illinois | Larry Stanley grabs the board | 17-16 |
| 06:22 | Illinois | Clifton Peters knocks in the 3 pointer from the left corner set up by Ronnie Hickey | 20-16 |
| 06:01 | Villanova | The pull-up jumper by Carl Fox is blocked by Leon Hall | 20-16 |
| 05:59 | Villanova | Carl Fox grabs the offensive rebound | 20-16 |
| 05:38 | Villanova | Loyd Williams misses badly on a driving attempt from the baseline but he's hacked by Leon Hall - foul #2 on Leon Hall, team foul #9 | 20-16 |
| Subs | Illinois | Adam Welter (PG), Jack Robinson (SG), Mario Klingbeil (SF), Freddy Ross (C) Clifton Peters, Leon Hall, Larry Stanley, Ronnie Hickey | |
| Subs | Villanova | Anthony Ragland (SG), John Robbins (SF), Rick Hart (PF) Robert Follansbee, Phil Rabago, Carl Fox | |
| 05:38 | Villanova | Loyd Williams makes the 1st free throw | 20-17 |
| 05:38 | Villanova | Loyd Williams makes the 2nd free throw | 20-18 |
| 05:14 | Illinois | Mario Klingbeil can't connect on a pull-up jumper from the left side | 20-18 |
| 05:13 | Illinois | Freddy Ross can't tip it in | 20-18 |
| 05:12 | Illinois | Jack Robinson tips it back up and in | 22-18 |
| 04:50 | Villanova | Loyd Williams's floater is tipped away by Mario Klingbeil | 22-18 |
| 04:49 | Illinois | Mario Klingbeil grabs the board | 22-18 |
| 04:46 | Illinois | Timothy Myers is called for the reach on Mario Klingbeil in the backcourt - foul #1 on Timothy Myers, team foul #10 | 22-18 |
| Subs | Illinois | Patrick McCorrison (SG), Anthony Golden (PF) Jack Robinson, Robert Moralez | |
| Subs | Villanova | Robert Follansbee (PG), Carl Fox (C) Timothy Myers, Loyd Williams | |
| 04:46 | Illinois | Mario Klingbeil misses the 1st free throw | 22-18 |
| 04:46 | Illinois | Mario Klingbeil makes the 2nd free throw | 23-18 |
| 04:34 | Villanova | Anthony Ragland is called for a moving pick - foul #2 on Anthony Ragland, team foul #11 | 23-18 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Villanova | Timothy Myers (PG) Anthony Ragland | |
| 04:17 | Illinois | Patrick McCorrison comes up short on the shot from just outside the lane | 23-18 |
| 04:16 | Illinois | The offensive rebound goes to Mario Klingbeil | 23-18 |
| 04:02 | Illinois | Patrick McCorrison scores on a floater from the free throw line on a nice dish by Adam Welter | 25-18 |
| 03:57 | Villanova | John Robbins throws a bad pass out of bounds in the backcourt | 25-18 |
| Subs | Illinois | Clifton Peters (PG), Ronnie Hickey (C) Adam Welter, Freddy Ross | |
| Subs | Villanova | Marc Spann (SG), Phil Rabago (SF), David Evans (PF) Timothy Myers, John Robbins, Rick Hart | |
| 03:47 | Illinois | Mario Klingbeil misses badly on a turnaround near the basket but he's hacked by David Evans - foul #3 on David Evans, team foul #12 | 25-18 |
| Subs | Illinois | Larry Stanley (PF) Anthony Golden | |
| Subs | Villanova | Rick Hart (PF) David Evans | |
| 03:47 | Illinois | Mario Klingbeil misses the 1st free throw | 25-18 |
| 03:47 | Illinois | Mario Klingbeil makes the 2nd free throw | 26-18 |
| 03:23 | Villanova | The jump hook by Carl Fox is blocked by Mario Klingbeil | 26-18 |
| 03:21 | Villanova | Phil Rabago snags the offensive board | 26-18 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Clifton Peters (tiring) 5 pts. 1 ast. SG - Patrick McCorrison (tiring) 3 pts. SF - Mario Klingbeil (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 3 reb. 2 blk. PF - Larry Stanley (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. C - Ronnie Hickey (tiring) 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Villanova | PG - Robert Follansbee (tiring) 1 ast. SG - Marc Spann (fairly fresh) 3 pts. SF - Phil Rabago (tiring) 3 reb. PF - Rick Hart (very tired) 4 pts. C - Carl Fox (very tired) 2 pts. 2 reb. | |
| 03:04 | Villanova | The short jumper by Carl Fox is denied by Larry Stanley | 26-18 |
| 03:03 | Illinois | Ronnie Hickey snags the defensive board | 26-18 |
| 02:41 | Illinois | Patrick McCorrison misses the fadeaway from close range | 26-18 |
| 02:40 | Illinois | Larry Stanley hits the follow up shot | 28-18 |
| 02:16 | Villanova | Robert Follansbee loses the ball out of bounds | 28-18 |
| Subs | Illinois | Adam Welter (PG), Jack Robinson (SG), Leon Skinner (SF), Anthony Golden (PF), Freddy Ross (C) Clifton Peters, Patrick McCorrison, Mario Klingbeil, Larry Stanley, Ronnie Hickey | |
| Subs | Villanova | Timothy Myers (PG), John Robbins (SF) Robert Follansbee, Phil Rabago | |
| 02:11 | Illinois | Adam Welter's pass is intercepted by Carl Fox in the backcourt | 28-18 |
| 01:51 | Villanova | Carl Fox connects on the open floater from the left wing | 28-20 |
| 01:36 | Illinois | Freddy Ross knocks in the fadeaway jumper from the left wing on a great pass from Adam Welter | 30-20 |
| 01:36 | Villanova | Villanova calls a full timeout (2 :30 2 full remaining) | 30-20 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Villanova | Anthony Ragland (SG), Phil Rabago (SF), Loyd Williams (PF) Marc Spann, John Robbins, Rick Hart | |
| 01:13 | Villanova | Phil Rabago clanks a fadeaway from the left wing | 30-20 |
| 01:12 | Illinois | Adam Welter pulls down the rebound | 30-20 |
| 00:55 | Illinois | Adam Welter is open and scores on a fadeaway jumper from the right side set up by Jack Robinson | 32-20 |
| 00:36 | Villanova | Phil Rabago's fadeaway is rejected by Anthony Golden | 32-20 |
| 00:34 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Leon Skinner | 32-20 |
| 00:32 | Illinois | Anthony Ragland takes the ball from Anthony Golden in the backcourt | 32-20 |
| 00:31 | Villanova | Anthony Ragland hits the finger roll | 32-22 |
| 00:05 | Illinois | Adam Welter is fouled on the floor by Timothy Myers - foul #2 on Timothy Myers, team foul #13 | 32-22 |
| Subs | Illinois | Leon Hall (SG), Mario Klingbeil (SF), Robert Moralez (PF), Ronnie Hickey (C) Jack Robinson, Leon Skinner, Anthony Golden, Freddy Ross | |
| Subs | Villanova | Marc Spann (SG), John Robbins (SF), Rick Hart (PF) Anthony Ragland, Phil Rabago, Loyd Williams | |
| 00:05 | Illinois | Adam Welter misses the 1st free throw | 32-22 |
| 00:05 | Illinois | Adam Welter makes the 2nd free throw | 33-22 |
| 00:01 | Villanova | The short jumper by Rick Hart is denied by Robert Moralez | 33-22 |
| 00:00 | Illinois | Robert Moralez grabs the board | 33-22 |