| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Wayne Foster (fresh) 6 pts. 3 ast. SG - Boris Zellous (fresh) SF - Virgil Polson (fresh) 5 pts. PF - Thomas Wainwright (fresh) 3 pf. C - Robert Fisher (fresh) 3 pts. | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Don Richardson (fresh) 2 pts. SG - Tyler Moorer (fresh) SF - Pat McElhany (fresh) 3 pts. 2 reb. PF - Matthew Beyers (fresh) 11 pts. 5 reb. C - George Crenshaw (fresh) 2 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Illinois | Virgil Polson inbounds the ball | 21-20 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense and a man to man (-5) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-2) | |
| 19:43 | Illinois | Wayne Foster hits the front of the rim on the fadeaway from just outside the lane | 21-20 |
| 19:41 | Illinois | Boris Zellous hits the follow up shot | 23-20 |
| 19:22 | Ohio State | Matthew Beyers hits the front of the rim on the jump hook from the right block | 23-20 |
| 19:20 | Ohio State | Matthew Beyers grabs the offensive rebound | 23-20 |
| 19:00 | Ohio State | Matthew Beyers knocks in the runner from the left block set up by Don Richardson | 23-22 |
| 18:45 | Illinois | Wayne Foster's fadeaway is rejected by George Crenshaw | 23-22 |
| 18:43 | Ohio State | Don Richardson grabs the board | 23-22 |
| 18:14 | Ohio State | Tyler Moorer misses the fadeaway jumper from the left wing | 23-22 |
| 18:13 | Ohio State | Tyler Moorer tips it home | 23-24 |
| 17:58 | Illinois | Boris Zellous misses badly on a 3pt attempt from the left corner | 23-24 |
| 17:57 | Ohio State | George Crenshaw snags the defensive board | 23-24 |
| 17:53 | Ohio State | Don Richardson hits a floater from the right side on a nice dish by George Crenshaw | 23-26 |
| 17:34 | Illinois | Virgil Polson hits a 3 pointer from the right corner on a great pass from Robert Fisher | 26-26 |
| 17:12 | Ohio State | Matthew Beyers hits the finger roll on a nice dish by George Crenshaw | 26-28 |
| 17:03 | Illinois | Boris Zellous drills a 3pt attempt from the right wing set up by Thomas Wainwright | 29-28 |
| 16:38 | Ohio State | Matthew Beyers misses long on a driving attempt near the basket | 29-28 |
| 16:37 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Robert Fisher | 29-28 |
| 16:15 | Illinois | Boris Zellous misses badly on a jumpshot from just outside the lane but the foul's on Tyler Moorer - foul #2 on Tyler Moorer, team foul #1 | 29-28 |
| Subs | Illinois | Edward Fox (PG), Andrei Palczewski (SF), Denis Banks (PF), Scott Dollard (C) Wayne Foster, Virgil Polson, Thomas Wainwright, Robert Fisher | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Patrick Jones (PG), John Fountain (SG) Don Richardson, Tyler Moorer | |
| 16:15 | Illinois | Boris Zellous makes the 1st free throw | 30-28 |
| 16:15 | Illinois | Boris Zellous makes the 2nd free throw | 31-28 |
| 15:51 | Ohio State | Pat McElhany buries a jumper from the left side on a nice dish by John Fountain | 31-30 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Edward Fox (fresh) 2 pts. SG - Boris Zellous (fairly fresh) 7 pts. SF - Andrei Palczewski (fresh) 2 reb. PF - Denis Banks (fresh) C - Scott Dollard (fresh) 3 pts. 3 reb. | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Patrick Jones (fresh) 2 pts. 1 ast. SG - John Fountain (fresh) 2 ast. SF - Pat McElhany (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 2 reb. PF - Matthew Beyers (fairly fresh) 15 pts. 6 reb. C - George Crenshaw (fairly fresh) 3 reb. | |
| 15:49 | Illinois | Edward Fox loses the dribble to Patrick Jones in the backcourt | 31-30 |
| 15:34 | Ohio State | John Fountain loses the dribble to Denis Banks | 31-30 |
| 15:20 | Illinois | Edward Fox buries a floater from the right wing on a great pass from Boris Zellous | 33-30 |
| 14:56 | Ohio State | Pat McElhany is whistled for a carry | 33-30 |
| Subs | Illinois | Wayne Foster (PG), James Aguon (SG) Edward Fox, Boris Zellous | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Don Richardson (PG) John Fountain | |
| 14:40 | Illinois | The short jumper by Wayne Foster is denied by George Crenshaw | 33-30 |
| 14:38 | Illinois | Scott Dollard tips it back up and in | 35-30 |
| 14:19 | Ohio State | Patrick Jones's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 35-30 |
| Subs | Illinois | Virgil Polson (SF) Andrei Palczewski | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Tyler Moorer (SF) Pat McElhany | |
| 13:56 | Illinois | Virgil Polson clanks a 3pt shot from the right corner | 35-30 |
| 13:54 | Illinois | The offensive rebound goes to James Aguon | 35-30 |
| 13:43 | Illinois | Virgil Polson hits the front of the rim on the fadeaway jumper from the free throw line | 35-30 |
| 13:41 | Ohio State | The rebound goes to Tyler Moorer | 35-30 |
| 13:23 | Ohio State | Patrick Jones misses badly on a fadeaway jumper from the right side but the foul's on Virgil Polson - foul #2 on Virgil Polson, team foul #1 | 35-30 |
| Subs | Illinois | Thomas Wainwright (PF), Robert Fisher (C) Denis Banks, Scott Dollard | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Michael Hart (PF) Matthew Beyers | |
| 13:23 | Ohio State | Patrick Jones makes the 1st free throw | 35-31 |
| 13:23 | Ohio State | Patrick Jones makes the 2nd free throw | 35-32 |
| 13:04 | Illinois | Virgil Polson knocks in the jumper from the left side | 37-32 |
| 12:41 | Ohio State | Tyler Moorer banks in the layup and he's hacked by Wayne Foster - foul #2 on Wayne Foster, team foul #2 | 37-34 |
| Subs | Illinois | Edward Fox (PG) Wayne Foster | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Kevin Fowler (PG), John Fountain (SG) Don Richardson, Patrick Jones | |
| 12:41 | Ohio State | Tyler Moorer makes the free throw | 37-35 |
| 12:24 | Illinois | Robert Fisher hits the front of the rim on the pull-up jumper from the left side | 37-35 |
| 12:22 | Ohio State | John Fountain grabs the defensive rebound | 37-35 |
| 12:03 | Ohio State | Tyler Moorer scores on a 3 from straight away on a nice dish by John Fountain | 37-38 |
| 11:46 | Illinois | Virgil Polson hits the front of the rim on the 3 pointer from the right corner | 37-38 |
| 11:44 | Ohio State | The rebound goes to Michael Hart | 37-38 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Edward Fox (fresh) 4 pts. SG - James Aguon (fairly fresh) 2 pts. SF - Virgil Polson (fairly fresh) 10 pts. PF - Thomas Wainwright (fresh) 3 pf. C - Robert Fisher (fresh) 3 pts. 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Kevin Fowler (fresh) SG - John Fountain (fresh) 3 ast. SF - Tyler Moorer (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 2 reb. PF - Michael Hart (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. C - George Crenshaw (tiring) 3 reb. 2 blk. | |
| 11:31 | Ohio State | Tyler Moorer lays it in | 37-40 |
| 11:19 | Illinois | Edward Fox hits a turnaround in the lane | 39-40 |
| 10:55 | Ohio State | Edward Fox takes the ball from George Crenshaw after a doubleteam | 39-40 |
| 10:52 | Illinois | Edward Fox lays it up and in | 41-40 |
| 10:25 | Ohio State | Michael Hart is hacked by Thomas Wainwright - foul #4 on Thomas Wainwright, team foul #3 | 41-40 |
| Subs | Illinois | Wayne Foster (PG), Boris Zellous (SG), Andrei Palczewski (SF), Denis Banks (PF), Scott Dollard (C) Edward Fox, James Aguon, Virgil Polson, Thomas Wainwright, Robert Fisher | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Don Richardson (PG), Patrick Jones (SG), Pat McElhany (SF), Matthew Beyers (PF) Kevin Fowler, John Fountain, Tyler Moorer, George Crenshaw | |
| 10:09 | Ohio State | Don Richardson can't connect on a fadeaway jumper from the left side | 41-40 |
| 10:07 | Illinois | Scott Dollard grabs the defensive rebound | 41-40 |
| 09:45 | Illinois | Boris Zellous buries a 3 pointer from the right wing set up by Scott Dollard | 44-40 |
| 09:40 | Ohio State | Michael Hart hits the front of the rim on the shot from close range | 44-40 |
| 09:38 | Ohio State | Pat McElhany grabs the offensive rebound | 44-40 |
| 09:23 | Ohio State | Wayne Foster steals it from Matthew Beyers | 44-40 |
| 09:01 | Illinois | Scott Dollard knocks in the runner from the baseline on a great pass from Wayne Foster | 46-40 |
| 08:41 | Ohio State | Matthew Beyers can't connect on a runner from the right block | 46-40 |
| 08:40 | Illinois | Scott Dollard pulls down the rebound | 46-40 |
| 08:22 | Illinois | Boris Zellous misses badly on a 3pt attempt from the left corner | 46-40 |
| 08:20 | Illinois | Wayne Foster tips it back up and in | 48-40 |
| 08:00 | Ohio State | Pat McElhany dunks the ball set up by Patrick Jones | 48-42 |
| 07:34 | Illinois | Patrick Jones picks off the pass by Andrei Palczewski | 48-42 |
| 07:31 | Ohio State | Patrick Jones hits the finger roll | 48-44 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Wayne Foster (fresh) 8 pts. 4 ast. SG - Boris Zellous (fairly fresh) 10 pts. 1 ast. SF - Andrei Palczewski (fresh) 2 reb. PF - Denis Banks (fairly fresh) C - Scott Dollard (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 6 reb. | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Don Richardson (fresh) 4 pts. 1 ast. SG - Patrick Jones (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SF - Pat McElhany (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 3 reb. PF - Matthew Beyers (fairly fresh) 15 pts. 6 reb. C - Michael Hart (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. | |
| 07:11 | Illinois | Boris Zellous connects on the shot from the right side on a great pass from Wayne Foster | 50-44 |
| 06:49 | Ohio State | Pat McElhany comes up short on the jumper from the right block | 50-44 |
| 06:48 | Ohio State | Matthew Beyers tips it back up and in | 50-46 |
| 06:31 | Illinois | Andrei Palczewski throws a bad pass out of bounds | 50-46 |
| Subs | Illinois | Edward Fox (PG), James Aguon (SG), Virgil Polson (SF), Thomas Wainwright (PF), Robert Fisher (C) Wayne Foster, Boris Zellous, Andrei Palczewski, Denis Banks, Scott Dollard | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Kevin Fowler (PG), John Fountain (SG), Tyler Moorer (SF), George Crenshaw (C) Don Richardson, Patrick Jones, Pat McElhany, Michael Hart | |
| 06:09 | Ohio State | Matthew Beyers knocks in the turnaround from the baseline | 50-48 |
| 05:58 | Illinois | Edward Fox misses short on a pull-up jumper from just outside the lane | 50-48 |
| 05:57 | Illinois | Thomas Wainwright tips it back up and in | 52-48 |
| 05:31 | Ohio State | Matthew Beyers can't finish the layup but he's fouled by Thomas Wainwright - foul #5 on Thomas Wainwright, team foul #4 | 52-48 |
| Subs | Illinois | Denis Banks (PF) Thomas Wainwright | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 05:31 | Ohio State | Matthew Beyers makes the 1st free throw | 52-49 |
| 05:31 | Ohio State | Matthew Beyers misses the 2nd free throw | 52-49 |
| 05:31 | Illinois | Robert Fisher grabs the defensive rebound | 52-49 |
| 05:09 | Illinois | Virgil Polson drills a 3pt attempt from straight away on a great pass from Denis Banks | 55-49 |
| 04:48 | Ohio State | George Crenshaw is fouled on the floor by Robert Fisher - foul #1 on Robert Fisher, team foul #5 | 55-49 |
| Subs | Illinois | Wayne Foster (PG), Andrei Palczewski (SF) Edward Fox, Denis Banks | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Don Richardson (PG) Kevin Fowler | |
| 04:36 | Ohio State | Matthew Beyers clanks a jumpshot from the left side | 55-49 |
| 04:35 | Ohio State | Matthew Beyers tips it home | 55-51 |
| 04:08 | Illinois | Robert Fisher scores on a turnaround in the lane | 57-51 |
| 03:43 | Ohio State | Matthew Beyers can't finish the layup | 57-51 |
| 03:41 | Illinois | Robert Fisher grabs the board | 57-51 |
| 03:41 | Illinois | Illinois calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 57-51 |
| Subs | Illinois | Boris Zellous (SG), Denis Banks (PF) James Aguon, Andrei Palczewski | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Pat McElhany (SF), Michael Hart (PF) John Fountain, Matthew Beyers | |
| 03:13 | Illinois | Pat McElhany blocks the short jumper by Robert Fisher | 57-51 |
| 03:11 | Ohio State | Don Richardson pulls down the rebound | 57-51 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Wayne Foster (fresh) 8 pts. 5 ast. SG - Boris Zellous (fresh) 12 pts. 1 ast. SF - Virgil Polson (fresh) 13 pts. PF - Denis Banks (fresh) C - Robert Fisher (fresh) 5 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Don Richardson (fresh) 4 pts. 1 ast. SG - Tyler Moorer (fresh) 10 pts. 2 reb. SF - Pat McElhany (fresh) 7 pts. 3 reb. 2 blk. PF - Michael Hart (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. C - George Crenshaw (fairly fresh) 3 reb. 2 blk. | |
| 02:54 | Ohio State | George Crenshaw misses the shot from the left block but he's fouled by Wayne Foster - foul #3 on Wayne Foster, team foul #6 | 57-51 |
| 02:54 | Ohio State | George Crenshaw makes the 1st free throw | 57-52 |
| 02:54 | Ohio State | George Crenshaw misses the 2nd free throw | 57-52 |
| 02:54 | Illinois | Denis Banks pulls down the rebound | 57-52 |
| 02:35 | Illinois | Wayne Foster can't connect on a fadeaway from the left wing | 57-52 |
| 02:33 | Illinois | Virgil Polson tips it home | 59-52 |
| 02:04 | Ohio State | Tyler Moorer is open but comes up short on the fadeaway jumper from the left wing | 59-52 |
| 02:02 | Ohio State | George Crenshaw grabs the offensive rebound | 59-52 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense and a man to man (-5) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense and a man to man (-2) | |
| 01:47 | Ohio State | Don Richardson connects on the 3pt jumper from the right wing | 59-55 |
| 01:26 | Illinois | Boris Zellous drills a shot from the right wing set up by Wayne Foster | 61-55 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense and a man to man (-5) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-2) | |
| 01:09 | Ohio State | George Crenshaw works out of a doubleteam and scores on a jumper from just outside the lane | 61-57 |
| 00:48 | Illinois | Denis Banks loses the ball out of bounds | 61-57 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Matthew Beyers (PF) Michael Hart | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense and a man to man (-5) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a man to man (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense and a man to man (-5) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a man to man (-2) | |
| 00:41 | Ohio State | Boris Zellous picks off the pass by Don Richardson | 61-57 |
| 00:37 | Illinois | Virgil Polson lays it up and in on a great pass from Boris Zellous | 63-57 |
| 00:31 | Ohio State | Tyler Moorer can't connect on a 3pt jumper from the right wing | 63-57 |
| 00:30 | Illinois | Virgil Polson grabs the defensive rebound | 63-57 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (-5) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (-2) | |
| 00:27 | Illinois | Virgil Polson is fouled in the backcourt by Don Richardson - foul #1 on Don Richardson, team foul #2 | 63-57 |
| Subs | Illinois | Scott Dollard (PF) Denis Banks | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 00:26 | Illinois | Wayne Foster is fouled on the floor by George Crenshaw - foul #3 on George Crenshaw, team foul #3 | 63-57 |
| 00:24 | Illinois | Wayne Foster is fouled on the floor by Don Richardson - foul #2 on Don Richardson, team foul #4 | 63-57 |
| 00:23 | Illinois | Wayne Foster is fouled on the floor by Don Richardson - foul #3 on Don Richardson, team foul #5 | 63-57 |
| 00:22 | Illinois | George Crenshaw is called for the reach on Scott Dollard - foul #4 on George Crenshaw, team foul #6 | 63-57 |
| 00:21 | Illinois | Wayne Foster is hacked by George Crenshaw - foul #5 on George Crenshaw, team foul #7 | 63-57 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Michael Hart (C) George Crenshaw | |
| 00:21 | Illinois | Wayne Foster makes the 1st free throw | 64-57 |
| 00:21 | Illinois | Wayne Foster misses the 2nd free throw | 64-57 |
| 00:21 | Ohio State | The rebound goes to Matthew Beyers | 64-57 |
| 00:17 | Ohio State | Don Richardson misses short on a 3pt attempt from the right corner | 64-57 |
| 00:15 | Illinois | Virgil Polson grabs the defensive rebound | 64-57 |
| 00:13 | Illinois | Don Richardson is called for the reach on Virgil Polson in the backcourt - foul #4 on Don Richardson, team foul #8 | 64-57 |
| Subs | Illinois | Denis Banks (PF) Scott Dollard | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 00:13 | Illinois | Virgil Polson misses the 1st free throw | 64-57 |
| 00:13 | Ohio State | Michael Hart snags the defensive board | 64-57 |
| 00:06 | Ohio State | Tyler Moorer clanks a 3pt attempt from the right wing | 64-57 |
| 00:04 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Robert Fisher | 64-57 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (-5) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a man to man (-2) | |
| 00:00 | Illinois | Wayne Foster runs out the clock | 64-57 |