| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Darryl Daniels (fresh) 2 pts. 1 ast. 2 stl. SG - Jonas Richardson (fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. SF - Steven Mayer (fresh) 2 pts. 3 pf. PF - Thomas Hunt (fresh) 3 pf. C - James Hawkins (fresh) 4 pts. | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Darrell Pate (fresh) 5 pts. 2 ast. SG - Martin Thompson (fresh) 8 pts. 4 ast. SF - Bill Allen (fresh) 1 ast. PF - Cecil Oliveras (fresh) 2 pts. C - Jonathan Yang (fresh) 7 pts. 7 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Northwestern | Steven Mayer inbounds the ball | 24-30 |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a flex offense and a man to man (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a triangle offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-2) | |
| 19:37 | Northwestern | Thomas Hunt misses short on a pull-up jumper from just outside the lane | 24-30 |
| 19:36 | Northwestern | Thomas Hunt tips it home | 26-30 |
| 19:20 | Michigan State | Jonas Richardson steals the ball from Bill Allen | 26-30 |
| 19:03 | Northwestern | Darryl Daniels drills a floater from the right wing | 28-30 |
| 18:39 | Michigan State | Jonathan Yang buries a fadeaway from the right wing set up by Darrell Pate | 28-32 |
| 18:17 | Northwestern | Martin Thompson steals it from James Hawkins | 28-32 |
| 17:53 | Michigan State | Bill Allen knocks in the shot from the right wing set up by Darrell Pate and the foul's on Steven Mayer - foul #4 on Steven Mayer, team foul #1 | 28-34 |
| Subs | Northwestern | George Hutchcraft (SF) Steven Mayer | |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| 17:53 | Michigan State | Bill Allen makes the free throw | 28-35 |
| 17:37 | Northwestern | Jonas Richardson loses the dribble to Darrell Pate | 28-35 |
| 17:10 | Michigan State | Martin Thompson works out of a doubleteam but hits the front of the rim on the 3 pointer from the right corner | 28-35 |
| 17:08 | Northwestern | Thomas Hunt pulls down the rebound | 28-35 |
| 16:55 | Northwestern | Jonas Richardson buries a 3pt shot from the left wing on a nice dish by George Hutchcraft | 31-35 |
| 16:33 | Michigan State | Jonas Richardson takes the ball from Cecil Oliveras | 31-35 |
| 16:13 | Northwestern | George Hutchcraft is hacked by Jonathan Yang - foul #1 on Jonathan Yang, team foul #1 | 31-35 |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Brown (PG), James Carter (C) Darryl Daniels, James Hawkins | |
| Subs | Michigan State | John Johnson (PG), Matthew Forte (SG), Arnold Johnson (SF), Alan Black (PF), Kermit Hedlund (C) Darrell Pate, Martin Thompson, Bill Allen, Cecil Oliveras, Jonathan Yang | |
| 16:00 | Northwestern | Jonas Richardson drills a pull-up jumper from just outside the lane set up by John Brown | 33-35 |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - John Brown (fresh) 1 ast. SG - Jonas Richardson (fresh) 8 pts. 1 ast. 3 stl. SF - George Hutchcraft (fresh) 2 pts. PF - Thomas Hunt (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. 3 pf. C - James Carter (fresh) 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - John Johnson (fresh) SG - Matthew Forte (fresh) 1 ast. SF - Arnold Johnson (fresh) 2 pts. PF - Alan Black (fresh) 2 pts. C - Kermit Hedlund (fresh) 4 pts. 3 reb. | |
| 15:37 | Michigan State | Matthew Forte misses short on a 3 pointer from the right corner | 33-35 |
| 15:36 | Northwestern | John Brown gets the rebound | 33-35 |
| 15:20 | Northwestern | Jonas Richardson misses the 3 from the right wing | 33-35 |
| 15:19 | Michigan State | John Johnson grabs the defensive rebound | 33-35 |
| 14:57 | Michigan State | Kermit Hedlund is denied on a layup by Thomas Hunt | 33-35 |
| 14:56 | Michigan State | Arnold Johnson tips it back up and in | 33-37 |
| 14:41 | Northwestern | John Brown makes the floater from the free throw line | 35-37 |
| 14:24 | Michigan State | Kermit Hedlund's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 35-37 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Darryl Daniels (PG), Lyle Carr (SG), Leland Bopp (SF) John Brown, Jonas Richardson, George Hutchcraft | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Darrell Pate (PG), Martin Thompson (SG), Bill Allen (SF), Cecil Oliveras (PF), Jonathan Yang (C) John Johnson, Matthew Forte, Arnold Johnson, Alan Black, Kermit Hedlund | |
| 14:17 | Northwestern | Darryl Daniels connects on the shot from the left side set up by Lyle Carr | 37-37 |
| 13:51 | Michigan State | Martin Thompson comes up short on the 3pt jumper from the right wing | 37-37 |
| 13:49 | Northwestern | James Carter snags the defensive board | 37-37 |
| 13:31 | Northwestern | Lyle Carr comes up short on the 3 pointer from the right wing | 37-37 |
| 13:29 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to Bill Allen | 37-37 |
| 13:09 | Michigan State | Martin Thompson misses badly on a 3pt attempt from the right wing | 37-37 |
| 13:08 | Northwestern | Thomas Hunt grabs the defensive rebound | 37-37 |
| 13:05 | Northwestern | Darrell Pate is called for the reach on Darryl Daniels in the backcourt - foul #2 on Darrell Pate, team foul #2 | 37-37 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jonas Richardson (SG), Steven Mayer (SF), Raymond Price (PF), James Hawkins (C) Lyle Carr, Leland Bopp, Thomas Hunt, James Carter | |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| 12:56 | Northwestern | Jonas Richardson hits the front of the rim on the 3pt shot from the left wing | 37-37 |
| 12:55 | Northwestern | Jonas Richardson snags the offensive board | 37-37 |
| 12:38 | Northwestern | Jonas Richardson misses badly on a jumpshot from the left wing but he's fouled by Bill Allen - foul #3 on Bill Allen, team foul #3 | 37-37 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Kermit Hedlund (C) Jonathan Yang | |
| 12:38 | Northwestern | Jonas Richardson makes the 1st free throw | 38-37 |
| 12:38 | Northwestern | Jonas Richardson makes the 2nd free throw | 39-37 |
| 12:23 | Michigan State | Jonas Richardson takes the ball from Cecil Oliveras | 39-37 |
| 12:18 | Northwestern | Darryl Daniels lays it up and in on a nice dish by Jonas Richardson | 41-37 |
| 11:49 | Michigan State | Darrell Pate makes the wide open 3pt attempt from straight away on a great pass from Martin Thompson | 41-40 |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Darryl Daniels (fresh) 8 pts. 1 ast. 2 stl. SG - Jonas Richardson (fresh) 10 pts. 2 ast. 4 stl. SF - Steven Mayer (fresh) 2 pts. 4 pf. PF - Raymond Price (fresh) 8 pts. 2 reb. C - James Hawkins (fresh) 4 pts. | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Darrell Pate (fresh) 8 pts. 4 ast. SG - Martin Thompson (fresh) 8 pts. 5 ast. 2 stl. SF - Bill Allen (fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. 3 pf. PF - Cecil Oliveras (fairly fresh) 2 pts. C - Kermit Hedlund (fresh) 4 pts. 3 reb. | |
| 11:33 | Northwestern | Raymond Price is fouled on the floor by Martin Thompson - foul #1 on Martin Thompson, team foul #4 | 41-40 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Alan Black (PF), Jonathan Yang (C) Cecil Oliveras, Kermit Hedlund | |
| 11:19 | Northwestern | Jonas Richardson hits the front of the rim on the 3pt jumper from the right corner | 41-40 |
| 11:18 | Northwestern | James Hawkins tips it in | 43-40 |
| 10:51 | Michigan State | Alan Black connects on the fadeaway jumper from the left side set up by Martin Thompson | 43-42 |
| 10:31 | Northwestern | Alan Black steals the ball from Jonas Richardson | 43-42 |
| 10:07 | Michigan State | Martin Thompson evades the doubleteam and hits a 3pt attempt from the left corner | 43-45 |
| 09:40 | Northwestern | Steven Mayer knocks in the jumpshot from just outside the lane | 45-45 |
| 09:36 | Michigan State | Darrell Pate is whistled for a carry in the backcourt | 45-45 |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Brown (PG), Lyle Carr (SG), Thomas Hunt (PF), James Carter (C) Darryl Daniels, Jonas Richardson, Raymond Price, James Hawkins | |
| Subs | Michigan State | John Johnson (PG), Matthew Forte (SG), Arnold Johnson (SF), Cecil Oliveras (PF), Kermit Hedlund (C) Darrell Pate, Martin Thompson, Bill Allen, Alan Black, Jonathan Yang | |
| 09:16 | Northwestern | Arnold Johnson is called for the reach on Steven Mayer - foul #2 on Arnold Johnson, team foul #5 | 45-45 |
| 09:06 | Northwestern | Lyle Carr misses badly on a 3 from the right wing | 45-45 |
| 09:05 | Northwestern | John Brown gets the offensive rebound | 45-45 |
| 08:51 | Northwestern | James Carter misses short on a jumper from the right side | 45-45 |
| 08:49 | Northwestern | Lyle Carr grabs the offensive board | 45-45 |
| 08:40 | Northwestern | Kermit Hedlund steals the ball from Lyle Carr | 45-45 |
| 08:23 | Michigan State | Kermit Hedlund travels with the ball | 45-45 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Darryl Daniels (PG), Jonas Richardson (SG) John Brown, Lyle Carr | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Jonathan Yang (C) Kermit Hedlund | |
| 07:57 | Northwestern | Jonas Richardson knocks in the fadeaway from the right side set up by Darryl Daniels | 47-45 |
| 07:50 | Michigan State | John Johnson misses short on a 3pt attempt from straight away | 47-45 |
| 07:48 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to James Carter | 47-45 |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Darryl Daniels (fresh) 8 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SG - Jonas Richardson (fresh) 12 pts. 2 ast. 4 stl. SF - Steven Mayer (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 4 pf. PF - Thomas Hunt (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. 3 pf. C - James Carter (fresh) 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - John Johnson (fresh) SG - Matthew Forte (fresh) 1 ast. SF - Arnold Johnson (fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. PF - Cecil Oliveras (fresh) 2 pts. C - Jonathan Yang (fresh) 9 pts. 7 reb. | |
| 07:29 | Northwestern | Jonas Richardson knocks in the 3pt attempt from the right wing set up by Thomas Hunt | 50-45 |
| 07:13 | Michigan State | John Johnson misses badly on a floater from the right wing | 50-45 |
| 07:12 | Northwestern | Jonas Richardson grabs the board | 50-45 |
| 06:51 | Northwestern | Darryl Daniels loses the dribble to Jonathan Yang | 50-45 |
| 06:30 | Michigan State | Jonathan Yang's fadeaway is rejected by James Carter | 50-45 |
| 06:29 | Michigan State | Cecil Oliveras misses the tip | 50-45 |
| 06:28 | Northwestern | Jonas Richardson grabs the defensive rebound | 50-45 |
| 06:11 | Northwestern | Arnold Johnson is called for the reach on Steven Mayer - foul #3 on Arnold Johnson, team foul #6 | 50-45 |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Brown (PG), Lyle Carr (SG), Raymond Price (PF), James Hawkins (C) Darryl Daniels, Jonas Richardson, Thomas Hunt, James Carter | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Darrell Pate (PG), Martin Thompson (SG), Bill Allen (SF), Alan Black (PF), Kermit Hedlund (C) John Johnson, Matthew Forte, Arnold Johnson, Cecil Oliveras, Jonathan Yang | |
| 06:00 | Northwestern | John Brown is hacked by Alan Black - foul #2 on Alan Black, team foul #7 | 50-45 |
| 06:00 | Northwestern | John Brown makes the 1st free throw | 51-45 |
| 06:00 | Northwestern | John Brown misses the 2nd free throw | 51-45 |
| 06:00 | Northwestern | John Brown grabs the offensive rebound | 51-45 |
| 05:49 | Northwestern | John Brown misses the 3 pointer from the right wing | 51-45 |
| 05:48 | Michigan State | Bill Allen gets the rebound | 51-45 |
| 05:19 | Michigan State | Alan Black is open and buries a shot from the left side | 51-47 |
| 04:59 | Northwestern | Raymond Price hits a jump hook from the baseline on a great pass from John Brown | 53-47 |
| 04:34 | Michigan State | Martin Thompson misses long on a 3 pointer from the right corner | 53-47 |
| 04:32 | Northwestern | Raymond Price grabs the board | 53-47 |
| 04:32 | Northwestern | Northwestern calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 53-47 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Darryl Daniels (PG), Jonas Richardson (SG), Thomas Hunt (PF) John Brown, Lyle Carr, Raymond Price | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Cecil Oliveras (PF), Jonathan Yang (C) Alan Black, Kermit Hedlund | |
| 04:04 | Northwestern | Steven Mayer misses long on a jumper from the free throw line | 53-47 |
| 04:03 | Michigan State | Bill Allen snags the defensive board | 53-47 |
| 03:36 | Michigan State | Darrell Pate hits the front of the rim on the 3pt shot from the right wing | 53-47 |
| 03:35 | Northwestern | Jonas Richardson pulls down the rebound | 53-47 |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Darryl Daniels (fresh) 8 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SG - Jonas Richardson (fresh) 15 pts. 2 ast. 4 stl. SF - Steven Mayer (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 4 pf. PF - Thomas Hunt (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. 3 pf. C - James Hawkins (fresh) 6 pts. 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Darrell Pate (fresh) 8 pts. 4 ast. SG - Martin Thompson (fresh) 11 pts. 6 ast. 2 stl. SF - Bill Allen (fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. 3 pf. PF - Cecil Oliveras (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. C - Jonathan Yang (fresh) 9 pts. 7 reb. 2 stl. | |
| 03:14 | Northwestern | James Hawkins clanks a jumper from the free throw line | 53-47 |
| 03:13 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to Cecil Oliveras | 53-47 |
| 02:53 | Michigan State | Bill Allen misses the easy layup but the foul's on James Hawkins - foul #1 on James Hawkins, team foul #2 | 53-47 |
| Subs | Northwestern | George Hutchcraft (SF) Steven Mayer | |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| 02:53 | Michigan State | Bill Allen makes the 1st free throw | 53-48 |
| 02:53 | Michigan State | Bill Allen makes the 2nd free throw | 53-49 |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a flex offense (slowdown) and a man to man (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a triangle offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-2) | |
| 02:35 | Northwestern | Darryl Daniels clanks a fadeaway from the left wing but he's hacked by Jonathan Yang - foul #2 on Jonathan Yang, team foul #8 | 53-49 |
| 02:35 | Northwestern | Darryl Daniels makes the 1st free throw | 54-49 |
| 02:35 | Northwestern | Darryl Daniels misses the 2nd free throw | 54-49 |
| 02:35 | Michigan State | Jonathan Yang grabs the board | 54-49 |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a flex offense (slowdown) and a man to man (+3) | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a triangle offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-2) | |
| 02:13 | Michigan State | Jonas Richardson is called for the reach on Jonathan Yang - foul #2 on Jonas Richardson, team foul #3 | 54-49 |
| Subs | Northwestern | James Carter (C) James Hawkins | |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| 01:56 | Michigan State | Martin Thompson shoots over the doubleteam but comes up short on the 3pt attempt from the left wing | 54-49 |
| 01:55 | Northwestern | Jonas Richardson grabs the defensive rebound | 54-49 |
| 01:55 | Northwestern | Northwestern calls a full timeout (2 :30 2 full remaining) | 54-49 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Steven Mayer (SF), James Hawkins (C) George Hutchcraft, James Carter | |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| 01:34 | Northwestern | Jonas Richardson loses the dribble to Jonathan Yang | 54-49 |
| 01:05 | Michigan State | Bill Allen's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 54-49 |
| 00:44 | Northwestern | Darryl Daniels is whistled for a carry | 54-49 |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a flex offense (slowdown) and a man to man (+3) | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a man to man (-2) | |
| 00:39 | Michigan State | Jonathan Yang is open and buries a fadeaway from the left side set up by Darrell Pate | 54-51 |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+3) | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a man to man (-2) | |
| 00:15 | Northwestern | Cecil Oliveras swats the short shot by Jonas Richardson | 54-51 |
| 00:14 | Michigan State | Jonathan Yang pulls down the rebound | 54-51 |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+3) | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a triangle offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-2) | |
| 00:05 | Michigan State | James Hawkins steals the ball from Martin Thompson | 54-51 |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+3) | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a triangle offense (slowdown) and intentionally fouling (-2) | |
| 00:04 | Northwestern | Jonas Richardson is fouled in the backcourt by Martin Thompson - foul #2 on Martin Thompson, team foul #9 | 54-51 |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Brown (SF) Steven Mayer | |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| 00:04 | Northwestern | Jonas Richardson misses the 1st free throw | 54-51 |
| 00:04 | Michigan State | Jonathan Yang snags the defensive board | 54-51 |
| 00:04 | Michigan State | Michigan State calls a :30 timeout (1 :30 4 full remaining) | 54-51 |
| 00:00 | Michigan State | Bill Allen can't connect on a halfcourt shot | 54-51 |