| Lineup | Kentucky | PG - Ralph Despres (fresh) SG - Joseph Hose (fresh) SF - Tyrone Powell (fresh) PF - Jay Macpherson (fresh) C - Joseph Reinhart (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Robert Forman (fresh) SG - Joseph Pagel (fresh) SF - Dwayne Williams (fresh) PF - Marshall Devinney (fresh) C - James Starkes (fresh) | |
| 20:00 | Kentucky | Jay Macpherson wins the tip | 0-0 |
| Game Plan | Kentucky | Kentucky is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Northern Illinois University | Northern Illinois University is playing a fastbreak offense and a 2-3 zone (0) | |
| 19:46 | Kentucky | Ralph Despres misses the easy layup | 0-0 |
| 19:45 | Kentucky | Joseph Hose tips it in | 2-0 |
| 19:43 | Northern Illinois University | Robert Forman is hacked by Ralph Despres in the backcourt - foul #1 on Ralph Despres, team foul #1 | 2-0 |
| 19:29 | Northern Illinois University | Marshall Devinney is hacked by Jay Macpherson - foul #1 on Jay Macpherson, team foul #2 | 2-0 |
| 19:16 | Northern Illinois University | James Starkes is by himself and knocks in the 3 pointer from straight away on a nice dish by Robert Forman | 2-3 |
| 18:59 | Kentucky | Dwayne Williams swats the shot by Jay Macpherson | 2-3 |
| 18:58 | Kentucky | Joseph Hose gets the offensive rebound | 2-3 |
| 18:32 | Kentucky | Joseph Hose makes the 3pt jumper from the left corner on a nice dish by Jay Macpherson | 5-3 |
| 18:30 | Northern Illinois University | Joseph Hose steals it from Joseph Pagel in the backcourt | 5-3 |
| 18:29 | Kentucky | Joseph Hose lays it in | 7-3 |
| 18:00 | Northern Illinois University | James Starkes misses badly on a jumper in the lane | 7-3 |
| 17:59 | Kentucky | The rebound goes to Tyrone Powell | 7-3 |
| 17:30 | Kentucky | Jay Macpherson's pass is intercepted by Dwayne Williams | 7-3 |
| 17:25 | Northern Illinois University | Robert Forman knocks in the jumper from the right side | 7-5 |
| 17:14 | Kentucky | Joseph Reinhart hits a runner from the left block set up by Tyrone Powell | 9-5 |
| 17:02 | Northern Illinois University | Joseph Pagel drills a 3pt attempt from straight away on a great pass from Robert Forman | 9-8 |
| 16:42 | Kentucky | Joseph Reinhart misses long on a jumper from just outside the lane but he's hacked by Marshall Devinney - foul #1 on Marshall Devinney, team foul #1 | 9-8 |
| Subs | Kentucky | Graham Strong (PG), Robert Adkins (SF), Jeremy Hansen (PF) Ralph Despres, Tyrone Powell, Jay Macpherson | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Andrew Spears (SF) Dwayne Williams | |
| 16:42 | Kentucky | Joseph Reinhart makes the 1st free throw | 10-8 |
| 16:42 | Kentucky | Joseph Reinhart misses the 2nd free throw | 10-8 |
| 16:42 | Northern Illinois University | James Starkes grabs the defensive rebound | 10-8 |
| 16:14 | Northern Illinois University | Marshall Devinney's pass is intercepted by Joseph Hose | 10-8 |
| 15:50 | Kentucky | Jeremy Hansen is hacked by Joseph Pagel - foul #1 on Joseph Pagel, team foul #2 | 10-8 |
| Subs | Kentucky | John Jackson (SG), Robert Shaw (C) Joseph Hose, Joseph Reinhart | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Richard Johnson (PG), Earl Short (SG), Johnnie Turner (PF), Timothy Stoneburner (C) Robert Forman, Joseph Pagel, Marshall Devinney, James Starkes | |
| Lineup | Kentucky | PG - Graham Strong (fresh) SG - John Jackson (fresh) SF - Robert Adkins (fresh) PF - Jeremy Hansen (fresh) C - Robert Shaw (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Richard Johnson (fresh) SG - Earl Short (fresh) SF - Andrew Spears (fresh) PF - Johnnie Turner (fresh) C - Timothy Stoneburner (fresh) | |
| 15:25 | Kentucky | John Jackson can't connect on a 3 pointer from the right corner | 10-8 |
| 15:23 | Kentucky | John Jackson grabs the offensive board | 10-8 |
| 15:03 | Kentucky | John Jackson knocks in the 3pt shot from straight away set up by Jeremy Hansen | 13-8 |
| 15:00 | Northern Illinois University | Andrew Spears's pass is off the mark and out of bounds in the backcourt | 13-8 |
| Subs | Kentucky | Tyrone Powell (SF) Robert Adkins | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Dwayne Williams (SF) Timothy Stoneburner | |
| 14:40 | Kentucky | Johnnie Turner takes the ball from Robert Shaw | 13-8 |
| 14:30 | Northern Illinois University | Johnnie Turner misses badly on the uncontested fadeaway in the lane | 13-8 |
| 14:29 | Kentucky | The rebound goes to Tyrone Powell | 13-8 |
| 14:14 | Kentucky | Tyrone Powell comes up short on the shot from the right side | 13-8 |
| 14:13 | Northern Illinois University | The rebound goes to Johnnie Turner | 13-8 |
| 14:07 | Northern Illinois University | Dwayne Williams comes up short on the 3pt shot from the left wing | 13-8 |
| 14:05 | Northern Illinois University | Johnnie Turner tips it but misses | 13-8 |
| 14:04 | Northern Illinois University | Andrew Spears hits the follow up shot | 13-10 |
| 13:44 | Kentucky | John Jackson misses short on a turnaround in the paint but he's hacked by Dwayne Williams - foul #1 on Dwayne Williams, team foul #3 | 13-10 |
| Subs | Kentucky | Ralph Despres (PG), Jay Macpherson (PF), Joseph Reinhart (C) Graham Strong, Jeremy Hansen, Robert Shaw | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Robert Forman (PG), Joseph Pagel (SG), Marshall Devinney (PF), James Starkes (C) Richard Johnson, Earl Short, Johnnie Turner, Andrew Spears | |
| 13:44 | Kentucky | John Jackson misses the 1st free throw | 13-10 |
| 13:44 | Kentucky | John Jackson makes the 2nd free throw | 14-10 |
| 13:25 | Northern Illinois University | Dwayne Williams misses the fadeaway from the free throw line | 14-10 |
| 13:23 | Kentucky | John Jackson grabs the board | 14-10 |
| 12:59 | Kentucky | Tyrone Powell hits a fadeaway in the lane | 16-10 |
| 12:30 | Northern Illinois University | Marshall Devinney misses the shot in the lane but he's hacked by Jay Macpherson - foul #2 on Jay Macpherson, team foul #3 | 16-10 |
| Subs | Kentucky | Joseph Hose (SG), Robert Adkins (SF), Jeremy Hansen (PF) John Jackson, Tyrone Powell, Jay Macpherson | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Timothy Stoneburner (SF) Dwayne Williams | |
| 12:30 | Northern Illinois University | Marshall Devinney makes the 1st free throw | 16-11 |
| 12:30 | Northern Illinois University | Marshall Devinney misses the 2nd free throw | 16-11 |
| 12:30 | Kentucky | Joseph Reinhart gets the rebound | 16-11 |
| 12:08 | Kentucky | Joseph Reinhart lays it up and in on a great pass from Ralph Despres | 18-11 |
| 12:04 | Northern Illinois University | Joseph Pagel double dribbles in the backcourt | 18-11 |
| Subs | Kentucky | | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Andrew Spears (SF) Timothy Stoneburner | |
| 11:46 | Kentucky | Joseph Hose buries a 3pt jumper from the left wing | 21-11 |
| Lineup | Kentucky | PG - Ralph Despres (fairly fresh) 1 ast. SG - Joseph Hose (fairly fresh) 10 pts. 2 stl. SF - Robert Adkins (fresh) PF - Jeremy Hansen (fairly fresh) C - Joseph Reinhart (fairly fresh) 5 pts. | |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Robert Forman (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 2 ast. SG - Joseph Pagel (fresh) 3 pts. SF - Andrew Spears (fresh) 2 pts. PF - Marshall Devinney (fresh) 1 pts. C - James Starkes (fresh) 3 pts. | |
| 11:40 | Northern Illinois University | Robert Forman misses short on an open floater from the right wing | 21-11 |
| 11:39 | Kentucky | Jeremy Hansen pulls down the rebound | 21-11 |
| 11:34 | Kentucky | Joseph Hose comes up short on the 3 from the left corner | 21-11 |
| 11:32 | Northern Illinois University | Marshall Devinney grabs the board | 21-11 |
| 11:27 | Northern Illinois University | Robert Forman scores on a jumper in the paint | 21-13 |
| 11:00 | Kentucky | Robert Adkins buries a 3pt shot from the right wing on a great pass from Ralph Despres | 24-13 |
| 10:47 | Northern Illinois University | James Starkes comes up short on the 3pt jumper from straight away | 24-13 |
| 10:46 | Northern Illinois University | Joseph Pagel tips it in | 24-15 |
| 10:22 | Kentucky | Joseph Reinhart loses the dribble to Marshall Devinney | 24-15 |
| 10:20 | Northern Illinois University | Joseph Pagel is fouled in the backcourt by Joseph Hose - foul #1 on Joseph Hose, team foul #4 | 24-15 |
| Subs | Kentucky | Graham Strong (PG), John Jackson (SG), Tyrone Powell (SF), Robert Shaw (C) Ralph Despres, Joseph Hose, Robert Adkins, Joseph Reinhart | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Richard Johnson (PG), Earl Short (SG), Timothy Stoneburner (SF), Johnnie Turner (PF) Robert Forman, Joseph Pagel, Andrew Spears, Marshall Devinney | |
| 10:14 | Northern Illinois University | James Starkes clanks a 3pt shot from the right corner | 24-15 |
| 10:13 | Kentucky | The rebound goes to John Jackson | 24-15 |
| 09:55 | Kentucky | Tyrone Powell hits the front of the rim on the pull-up jumper from the free throw line | 24-15 |
| 09:54 | Northern Illinois University | James Starkes snags the defensive board | 24-15 |
| 09:50 | Northern Illinois University | Richard Johnson misses badly on a shot from the right wing | 24-15 |
| 09:49 | Northern Illinois University | The offensive rebound goes to Earl Short | 24-15 |
| 09:33 | Northern Illinois University | Earl Short buries a 3 pointer from straight away | 24-18 |
| 09:13 | Kentucky | Graham Strong hits a 3pt attempt from the left corner set up by Tyrone Powell | 27-18 |
| 09:06 | Northern Illinois University | Timothy Stoneburner is denied on a layup by Robert Shaw | 27-18 |
| 09:04 | Kentucky | John Jackson pulls down the rebound | 27-18 |
| 08:35 | Kentucky | Graham Strong is fouled on the floor by Earl Short - foul #1 on Earl Short, team foul #4 | 27-18 |
| Subs | Kentucky | Joseph Reinhart (C) Robert Shaw | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Joseph Pagel (SG), Dwayne Williams (SF), Marshall Devinney (PF), Andrew Spears (C) Earl Short, Timothy Stoneburner, Johnnie Turner, James Starkes | |
| 08:23 | Kentucky | John Jackson misses badly on a jumpshot from the left side but he's fouled by Andrew Spears - foul #1 on Andrew Spears, team foul #5 | 27-18 |
| Subs | Kentucky | Joseph Hose (SG) Graham Strong | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Ricky Spears (PG) Richard Johnson | |
| 08:23 | Kentucky | John Jackson makes the 1st free throw | 28-18 |
| 08:23 | Kentucky | John Jackson makes the 2nd free throw | 29-18 |
| 08:08 | Northern Illinois University | Andrew Spears misses the wide open pull-up jumper from the left wing | 29-18 |
| 08:06 | Northern Illinois University | Dwayne Williams grabs the offensive board | 29-18 |
| 08:00 | Northern Illinois University | Marshall Devinney makes the fadeaway in the lane on a nice dish by Andrew Spears and he's fouled by Jeremy Hansen - foul #1 on Jeremy Hansen, team foul #5 | 29-20 |
| Subs | Kentucky | Ralph Despres (PG), Robert Adkins (SF) John Jackson, Tyrone Powell | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Robert Forman (PG) Ricky Spears | |
| 08:00 | Northern Illinois University | Marshall Devinney makes the free throw | 29-21 |
| 07:39 | Kentucky | Robert Adkins buries a 3pt jumper from the left wing set up by Joseph Hose | 32-21 |
| Lineup | Kentucky | PG - Ralph Despres (fresh) 2 ast. SG - Joseph Hose (fairly fresh) 10 pts. 1 ast. 2 stl. SF - Robert Adkins (fresh) 6 pts. PF - Jeremy Hansen (tiring) C - Joseph Reinhart (tiring) 5 pts. | |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Robert Forman (fresh) 4 pts. 2 ast. SG - Joseph Pagel (fresh) 5 pts. SF - Dwayne Williams (fresh) PF - Marshall Devinney (fresh) 4 pts. C - Andrew Spears (fresh) 2 pts. | |
| 07:37 | Northern Illinois University | Robert Adkins is called for the reach on Dwayne Williams in the backcourt - foul #1 on Robert Adkins, team foul #6 | 32-21 |
| Subs | Kentucky | Graham Strong (PG) Joseph Hose | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | | |
| 07:21 | Northern Illinois University | Robert Adkins picks off the pass by Andrew Spears | 32-21 |
| 07:07 | Kentucky | Graham Strong makes the 3 from the right corner | 35-21 |
| 07:03 | Northern Illinois University | Dwayne Williams hits the front of the rim on the driving attempt from the baseline | 35-21 |
| 07:01 | Northern Illinois University | Dwayne Williams gets the offensive rebound | 35-21 |
| 06:44 | Northern Illinois University | Robert Forman hits the front of the rim on the fadeaway from the free throw line | 35-21 |
| 06:43 | Northern Illinois University | Andrew Spears can't tip it in | 35-21 |
| 06:41 | Northern Illinois University | Andrew Spears pulls down the offensive rebound | 35-21 |
| 06:30 | Northern Illinois University | Andrew Spears clanks a runner in the lane | 35-21 |
| 06:28 | Kentucky | The rebound goes to Joseph Reinhart | 35-21 |
| 06:07 | Kentucky | Ralph Despres can't connect on a shot from just outside the lane but he's hacked by Robert Forman - foul #1 on Robert Forman, team foul #6 | 35-21 |
| Subs | Kentucky | Joseph Hose (SG), Tyrone Powell (SF), Jay Macpherson (PF), Robert Shaw (C) Graham Strong, Robert Adkins, Jeremy Hansen, Joseph Reinhart | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Richard Johnson (PG), Earl Short (SG), Timothy Stoneburner (SF), Johnnie Turner (PF), James Starkes (C) Robert Forman, Joseph Pagel, Dwayne Williams, Marshall Devinney, Andrew Spears | |
| 06:07 | Kentucky | Ralph Despres makes the 1st free throw | 36-21 |
| 06:07 | Kentucky | Ralph Despres makes the 2nd free throw | 37-21 |
| 05:52 | Northern Illinois University | Timothy Stoneburner buries a pull-up jumper from the right side set up by Richard Johnson | 37-23 |
| 05:34 | Kentucky | Joseph Hose travels with the ball | 37-23 |
| Subs | Kentucky | Matt Thornton (PG) Ralph Despres | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | | |
| 05:28 | Northern Illinois University | Richard Johnson is whistled for a carry in the backcourt | 37-23 |
| 05:11 | Kentucky | Tyrone Powell drills a jumpshot from the right side set up by Matt Thornton and he's fouled by Earl Short - foul #2 on Earl Short, team foul #7 | 39-23 |
| Subs | Kentucky | John Jackson (SG) Joseph Hose | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Ricky Spears (SG) Earl Short | |
| 05:11 | Kentucky | Tyrone Powell makes the free throw | 40-23 |
| 04:58 | Northern Illinois University | Ricky Spears hits the front of the rim on the runner from the baseline | 40-23 |
| 04:56 | Kentucky | Tyrone Powell gets the rebound | 40-23 |
| 04:40 | Kentucky | Tyrone Powell blows the dunk | 40-23 |
| 04:38 | Northern Illinois University | James Starkes gets the rebound | 40-23 |
| 04:34 | Northern Illinois University | Richard Johnson misses short on a pull-up jumper from the left side | 40-23 |
| 04:33 | Northern Illinois University | Johnnie Turner tips it but misses | 40-23 |
| 04:32 | Northern Illinois University | Ricky Spears grabs the offensive rebound | 40-23 |
| 04:21 | Northern Illinois University | John Jackson steals it from James Starkes | 40-23 |
| 04:18 | Kentucky | Tyrone Powell lays it up and in set up by John Jackson | 42-23 |
| 04:10 | Northern Illinois University | James Starkes comes up short on the jump hook near the basket | 42-23 |
| 04:09 | Kentucky | Tyrone Powell snags the defensive board | 42-23 |
| 03:48 | Kentucky | John Jackson makes the driving attempt from the right block on a nice dish by Matt Thornton | 44-23 |
| 03:25 | Northern Illinois University | Jay Macpherson swats the shot by Ricky Spears | 44-23 |
| 03:24 | Kentucky | Tyrone Powell grabs the board | 44-23 |
| Lineup | Kentucky | PG - Matt Thornton (fairly fresh) 2 ast. SG - John Jackson (fresh) 8 pts. 1 ast. SF - Tyrone Powell (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 5 reb. PF - Jay Macpherson (fairly fresh) C - Robert Shaw (fairly fresh) | |
| Lineup | Northern Illinois University | PG - Richard Johnson (fairly fresh) 1 ast. SG - Ricky Spears (fresh) SF - Timothy Stoneburner (fairly fresh) 2 pts. PF - Johnnie Turner (fairly fresh) 3 reb. C - James Starkes (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 3 reb. | |
| 02:55 | Kentucky | Robert Shaw is hacked by Richard Johnson - foul #1 on Richard Johnson, team foul #8 | 44-23 |
| Subs | Kentucky | Ralph Despres (PG), Joseph Hose (SG), Robert Adkins (SF) Matt Thornton, John Jackson, Tyrone Powell | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Robert Forman (PG), Joseph Pagel (SG), Dwayne Williams (SF), Marshall Devinney (PF), Andrew Spears (C) Richard Johnson, Ricky Spears, Timothy Stoneburner, Johnnie Turner, James Starkes | |
| 02:55 | Kentucky | Robert Shaw misses the 1st free throw | 44-23 |
| 02:55 | Northern Illinois University | Andrew Spears grabs the board | 44-23 |
| 02:53 | Northern Illinois University | Marshall Devinney's pass is off the mark and out of bounds in the backcourt | 44-23 |
| Subs | Kentucky | Joseph Reinhart (C) Robert Shaw | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | | |
| 02:36 | Kentucky | Joseph Reinhart misses long on a jumper from close range but he's fouled by Marshall Devinney - foul #2 on Marshall Devinney, team foul #9 | 44-23 |
| 02:36 | Kentucky | Joseph Reinhart misses the 1st free throw | 44-23 |
| 02:36 | Kentucky | Joseph Reinhart makes the 2nd free throw | 45-23 |
| 02:17 | Northern Illinois University | Robert Adkins is called for the reach on Dwayne Williams - foul #2 on Robert Adkins, team foul #7 | 45-23 |
| 02:17 | Northern Illinois University | Dwayne Williams makes the 1st free throw | 45-24 |
| 02:17 | Northern Illinois University | Dwayne Williams misses the 2nd free throw | 45-24 |
| 02:17 | Kentucky | The rebound goes to Robert Adkins | 45-24 |
| 01:56 | Kentucky | Robert Adkins is whistled for a carry | 45-24 |
| 01:54 | Northern Illinois University | Ralph Despres picks off the pass by Dwayne Williams in the backcourt | 45-24 |
| 01:51 | Kentucky | Ralph Despres hits the finger roll | 47-24 |
| 01:36 | Northern Illinois University | Jay Macpherson steals it from Andrew Spears | 47-24 |
| 01:15 | Kentucky | Joseph Hose misses badly on a 3pt jumper from straight away | 47-24 |
| 01:13 | Northern Illinois University | The rebound goes to Andrew Spears | 47-24 |
| 01:00 | Northern Illinois University | Joseph Hose is called for the reach on Dwayne Williams - foul #2 on Joseph Hose, team foul #8 | 47-24 |
| Subs | Kentucky | Graham Strong (PG), John Jackson (SG), Tyrone Powell (SF), Jeremy Hansen (PF) Ralph Despres, Joseph Hose, Robert Adkins, Jay Macpherson | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Earl Short (PG), James Starkes (C) Robert Forman, Andrew Spears | |
| 01:00 | Northern Illinois University | Dwayne Williams misses the 1st free throw | 47-24 |
| 01:00 | Kentucky | Joseph Reinhart pulls down the rebound | 47-24 |
| 00:37 | Kentucky | John Jackson is fouled on the floor by James Starkes - foul #1 on James Starkes, team foul #10 | 47-24 |
| Subs | Kentucky | | |
| Subs | Northern Illinois University | Richard Johnson (PG), Timothy Stoneburner (SF) Joseph Pagel, Dwayne Williams | |
| 00:37 | Kentucky | John Jackson misses the 1st free throw | 47-24 |
| 00:37 | Kentucky | John Jackson misses the 2nd free throw | 47-24 |
| 00:37 | Northern Illinois University | Marshall Devinney grabs the defensive rebound | 47-24 |
| 00:34 | Northern Illinois University | Earl Short is hacked by John Jackson in the backcourt - foul #1 on John Jackson, team foul #9 | 47-24 |
| 00:34 | Northern Illinois University | Earl Short misses the 1st free throw | 47-24 |
| 00:34 | Kentucky | Joseph Reinhart gets the rebound | 47-24 |
| 00:30 | Kentucky | Graham Strong's pass is intercepted by Timothy Stoneburner | 47-24 |
| 00:02 | Northern Illinois University | James Starkes scores on a pull-up jumper from the free throw line | 47-26 |
| 00:00 | Kentucky | Graham Strong clanks a fullcourt shot | 47-26 |