| Lineup | Mississippi State | PG - Frank Pruden (fresh) 3 pts. 2 ast. SG - Scott Astorga (fresh) 2 pts. 1 ast. SF - Eric Latta (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. PF - John Gravois (fresh) 1 pts. 3 reb. C - Mark Rouse (fresh) 7 pts. 5 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Boris Zellous (fresh) 4 pts. 2 ast. SG - James Jackowski (fresh) 1 ast. 3 pf. SF - Virgil Polson (fresh) 7 pts. 2 reb. PF - Thomas Wainwright (fresh) 7 pts. 3 reb. C - Robert Fisher (fresh) 4 pts. 4 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Illinois | Virgil Polson inbounds the ball | 25-30 |
| Game Plan | Mississippi State | Mississippi State is playing a triangle offense (slowdown) and a halfcourt press/3-2 zone (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense and a man to man (-4) | |
| 19:40 | Illinois | Boris Zellous buries a shot from the right wing on a great pass from James Jackowski | 25-32 |
| 19:15 | Mississippi State | Mark Rouse slams it home | 27-32 |
| 19:02 | Illinois | Boris Zellous hits a 3pt attempt from straight away on a nice dish by Virgil Polson | 27-35 |
| 18:35 | Mississippi State | Scott Astorga throws a bad pass out of bounds | 27-35 |
| 18:22 | Illinois | Thomas Wainwright hits a shot in the lane | 27-37 |
| 17:53 | Mississippi State | Mark Rouse is fouled on the floor by Robert Fisher - foul #2 on Robert Fisher, team foul #1 | 27-37 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | | |
| Subs | Illinois | Denis Banks (PF) Thomas Wainwright | |
| 17:31 | Mississippi State | John Gravois is called for a moving pick - foul #3 on John Gravois, team foul #1 | 27-37 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Jason Osuna (SF) Eric Latta | |
| Subs | Illinois | Scott Dollard (C) Robert Fisher | |
| 17:10 | Illinois | Scott Astorga takes the ball from Denis Banks | 27-37 |
| 17:07 | Mississippi State | Scott Astorga lays it up and in | 29-37 |
| 16:47 | Illinois | Scott Dollard can't connect on a jumpshot from just outside the lane | 29-37 |
| 16:45 | Mississippi State | John Gravois snags the defensive board | 29-37 |
| 16:18 | Mississippi State | Mark Rouse misses short on a jumpshot from the right side | 29-37 |
| 16:16 | Illinois | Virgil Polson grabs the defensive rebound | 29-37 |
| 15:57 | Illinois | James Jackowski throws a bad pass out of bounds | 29-37 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Eric Latta (SF) Jason Osuna | |
| Subs | Illinois | James Aguon (PG), Van Miller (SG), Andrei Palczewski (SF), Thomas Wainwright (PF), Robert Fisher (C) Boris Zellous, James Jackowski, Virgil Polson, Denis Banks, Scott Dollard | |
| Lineup | Mississippi State | PG - Frank Pruden (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 2 ast. SG - Scott Astorga (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 1 ast. 2 stl. SF - Eric Latta (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. PF - John Gravois (fairly fresh) 1 pts. 4 reb. 3 pf. C - Mark Rouse (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 5 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - James Aguon (fresh) 6 pts. SG - Van Miller (fresh) SF - Andrei Palczewski (fresh) PF - Thomas Wainwright (fresh) 9 pts. 3 reb. C - Robert Fisher (fresh) 4 pts. 4 reb. | |
| 15:34 | Mississippi State | John Gravois comes up short on the jumpshot from the right side | 29-37 |
| 15:32 | Illinois | James Aguon snags the defensive board | 29-37 |
| 15:18 | Illinois | Eric Latta is called for the reach on Andrei Palczewski - foul #2 on Eric Latta, team foul #2 | 29-37 |
| 15:03 | Illinois | Van Miller misses long on a 3 from straight away | 29-37 |
| 15:02 | Mississippi State | Eric Latta snags the defensive board | 29-37 |
| 14:36 | Mississippi State | Eric Latta misses short on a 3pt shot from the left corner | 29-37 |
| 14:35 | Mississippi State | Scott Astorga snags the offensive board | 29-37 |
| 14:12 | Mississippi State | Frank Pruden misses short on a 3pt shot from the left corner | 29-37 |
| 14:11 | Illinois | Robert Fisher snags the defensive board | 29-37 |
| 14:05 | Illinois | Scott Astorga picks off the pass by Andrei Palczewski | 29-37 |
| 14:02 | Mississippi State | Eric Latta lays it in set up by Scott Astorga | 31-37 |
| 13:49 | Illinois | Van Miller misses the 3pt shot from the right corner | 31-37 |
| 13:47 | Mississippi State | Mark Rouse grabs the board | 31-37 |
| 13:26 | Mississippi State | Mark Rouse drills a fadeaway from the right wing | 33-37 |
| 13:15 | Illinois | Thomas Wainwright comes up short on the jumper in the lane | 33-37 |
| 13:14 | Illinois | Robert Fisher tips it in | 33-39 |
| 12:57 | Mississippi State | John Gravois hits a shot from just outside the lane set up by Scott Astorga | 35-39 |
| 12:42 | Illinois | Thomas Wainwright misses short on a driving attempt from close range but he's fouled by Scott Astorga - foul #2 on Scott Astorga, team foul #3 | 35-39 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | David Scruggs (PG), Gary McNeece (SG), Jason Osuna (SF), James Widener (PF) Frank Pruden, Scott Astorga, Eric Latta, John Gravois | |
| Subs | Illinois | Boris Zellous (PG), James Jackowski (SG), Virgil Polson (SF), Scott Dollard (C) James Aguon, Van Miller, Andrei Palczewski, Robert Fisher | |
| 12:42 | Illinois | Thomas Wainwright makes the 1st free throw | 35-40 |
| 12:42 | Illinois | Thomas Wainwright misses the 2nd free throw | 35-40 |
| 12:42 | Mississippi State | Mark Rouse pulls down the rebound | 35-40 |
| 12:28 | Mississippi State | James Jackowski steals it from Gary McNeece | 35-40 |
| 12:23 | Illinois | Boris Zellous lays it in set up by James Jackowski | 35-42 |
| 12:03 | Mississippi State | James Widener drills a shot from the free throw line set up by Mark Rouse | 37-42 |
| 11:51 | Illinois | Thomas Wainwright can't connect on a floater from the right wing | 37-42 |
| 11:49 | Mississippi State | Mark Rouse pulls down the rebound | 37-42 |
| Lineup | Mississippi State | PG - David Scruggs (fresh) SG - Gary McNeece (fresh) 4 pts. SF - Jason Osuna (fresh) 2 pts. PF - James Widener (fresh) 6 pts. 2 reb. C - Mark Rouse (tiring) 11 pts. 8 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Boris Zellous (fresh) 11 pts. 2 ast. SG - James Jackowski (fresh) 3 ast. 3 pf. SF - Virgil Polson (fresh) 7 pts. 3 reb. PF - Thomas Wainwright (fairly fresh) 10 pts. 3 reb. C - Scott Dollard (fresh) 2 pts. | |
| 11:27 | Mississippi State | Mark Rouse comes up short on the runner from the left block | 37-42 |
| 11:26 | Mississippi State | James Widener tips it home | 39-42 |
| 11:06 | Illinois | James Jackowski's pass is intercepted by James Widener | 39-42 |
| 10:48 | Mississippi State | James Widener misses short on a fadeaway jumper from the right wing | 39-42 |
| 10:47 | Illinois | Virgil Polson pulls down the rebound | 39-42 |
| 10:29 | Illinois | Scott Dollard buries a jumper from close range set up by Boris Zellous and he's fouled by David Scruggs - foul #1 on David Scruggs, team foul #4 | 39-44 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Frank Pruden (PG), Scott Astorga (SG), John Gravois (PF) David Scruggs, Gary McNeece, James Widener | |
| Subs | Illinois | Denis Banks (PF) Thomas Wainwright | |
| 10:29 | Illinois | Scott Dollard misses the free throw | 39-44 |
| 10:29 | Mississippi State | Mark Rouse grabs the board | 39-44 |
| 10:00 | Mississippi State | John Gravois misses the jumpshot from the right side but the foul's on Denis Banks - foul #1 on Denis Banks, team foul #2 | 39-44 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Gary McNeece (SF) Jason Osuna | |
| Subs | Illinois | James Aguon (PG), Robert Fisher (C) Boris Zellous, Scott Dollard | |
| 10:00 | Mississippi State | John Gravois makes the 1st free throw | 40-44 |
| 10:00 | Mississippi State | John Gravois makes the 2nd free throw | 41-44 |
| 09:43 | Illinois | Scott Astorga swats the layup by Denis Banks | 41-44 |
| 09:42 | Illinois | Robert Fisher tips it in | 41-46 |
| 09:21 | Mississippi State | John Gravois misses short on a jumpshot from the left side | 41-46 |
| 09:20 | Illinois | Virgil Polson grabs the board | 41-46 |
| 09:15 | Illinois | Denis Banks drills a fadeaway from the right block on a great pass from Robert Fisher and he's hacked by John Gravois - foul #4 on John Gravois, team foul #5 | 41-48 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Eric Latta (SF) Gary McNeece | |
| Subs | Illinois | Van Miller (SG), Andrei Palczewski (SF) James Jackowski, Virgil Polson | |
| 09:15 | Illinois | Denis Banks makes the free throw | 41-49 |
| 08:58 | Mississippi State | James Aguon steps in front of the Eric Latta pass | 41-49 |
| 08:40 | Illinois | Robert Fisher is fouled on the floor by Mark Rouse - foul #3 on Mark Rouse, team foul #6 | 41-49 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | | |
| Subs | Illinois | Boris Zellous (PG) James Aguon | |
| 08:23 | Illinois | Boris Zellous splits the doubleteam but misses short on a 3 pointer from straight away | 41-49 |
| 08:21 | Mississippi State | Mark Rouse pulls down the rebound | 41-49 |
| 08:03 | Mississippi State | Frank Pruden misses badly on a 3 pointer from straight away | 41-49 |
| 08:01 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Robert Fisher | 41-49 |
| 07:45 | Illinois | Van Miller buries a 3pt shot from the left corner set up by Boris Zellous | 41-52 |
| Lineup | Mississippi State | PG - Frank Pruden (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 2 ast. SG - Scott Astorga (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 3 ast. 3 stl. SF - Eric Latta (fresh) 4 pts. 3 reb. PF - John Gravois (tiring) 5 pts. 4 reb. 4 pf. C - Mark Rouse (tiring) 11 pts. 10 reb. 3 pf. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Boris Zellous (fresh) 11 pts. 4 ast. SG - Van Miller (fresh) 3 pts. SF - Andrei Palczewski (fresh) PF - Denis Banks (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 2 reb. C - Robert Fisher (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 8 reb. | |
| Game Plan | Mississippi State | Mississippi State is playing a triangle offense and a halfcourt press/3-2 zone (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense and a man to man (-4) | |
| 07:29 | Mississippi State | Scott Astorga is hacked by Denis Banks - foul #2 on Denis Banks, team foul #3 | 41-52 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | David Scruggs (PG), Jason Osuna (SF), James Widener (PF), Robert Penick (C) Frank Pruden, Eric Latta, John Gravois, Mark Rouse | |
| Subs | Illinois | James Jackowski (SG), Virgil Polson (SF), Steven Snyder (PF), Scott Dollard (C) Van Miller, Andrei Palczewski, Denis Banks, Robert Fisher | |
| 07:24 | Mississippi State | Steven Snyder swats the layup by James Widener | 41-52 |
| 07:23 | Illinois | Steven Snyder pulls down the rebound | 41-52 |
| 06:59 | Illinois | Boris Zellous knocks in the 3pt jumper from the left wing set up by Virgil Polson | 41-55 |
| Game Plan | Mississippi State | Mississippi State is playing a triangle offense (uptempo) and a halfcourt press/3-2 zone (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense and a man to man (-4) | |
| 06:36 | Mississippi State | James Widener hits the front of the rim on the turnaround from close range | 41-55 |
| 06:34 | Mississippi State | Jason Osuna hits the follow up shot | 43-55 |
| 06:19 | Illinois | Boris Zellous misses short on a 3pt attempt from straight away | 43-55 |
| 06:17 | Mississippi State | James Widener grabs the board | 43-55 |
| Game Plan | Mississippi State | Mississippi State is playing a triangle offense and a halfcourt press/3-2 zone (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense and a man to man (-4) | |
| 06:13 | Mississippi State | James Widener is called for the offensive foul - foul #2 on James Widener, team foul #7 | 43-55 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Frank Pruden (PG), Gary McNeece (SG), Eric Latta (SF), Mark Rouse (C) David Scruggs, Scott Astorga, Jason Osuna, Robert Penick | |
| Subs | Illinois | James Aguon (PG) Boris Zellous | |
| 05:57 | Illinois | James Aguon connects on the 3 pointer from the right wing | 43-58 |
| Game Plan | Mississippi State | Mississippi State is playing a triangle offense (uptempo) and a halfcourt press/3-2 zone (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense and a man to man (-4) | |
| 05:38 | Mississippi State | Gary McNeece knocks in the floater from the left wing on a nice dish by Eric Latta | 45-58 |
| 05:23 | Illinois | James Aguon clanks a 3 from the left corner | 45-58 |
| 05:21 | Mississippi State | James Widener snags the defensive board | 45-58 |
| 05:16 | Mississippi State | Mark Rouse's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 45-58 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | John Gravois (PF) James Widener | |
| Subs | Illinois | Thomas Wainwright (PF), Robert Fisher (C) Steven Snyder, Scott Dollard | |
| 05:04 | Illinois | Robert Fisher travels with the ball | 45-58 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Jason Osuna (SF) Eric Latta | |
| Subs | Illinois | Andrei Palczewski (SF) Virgil Polson | |
| 04:50 | Mississippi State | John Gravois's layup is rejected by Robert Fisher | 45-58 |
| 04:49 | Illinois | Andrei Palczewski pulls down the rebound | 45-58 |
| 04:31 | Illinois | James Aguon hits the front of the rim on the 3pt jumper from the right corner | 45-58 |
| 04:30 | Mississippi State | John Gravois grabs the defensive rebound | 45-58 |
| 04:23 | Mississippi State | Gary McNeece buries a 3pt attempt from straight away | 48-58 |
| 04:03 | Illinois | Robert Fisher comes up short on the shot from the free throw line | 48-58 |
| 04:01 | Illinois | Thomas Wainwright tips it back up and in | 48-60 |
| Game Plan | Mississippi State | Mississippi State is playing a triangle offense (uptempo) and a halfcourt press/3-2 zone (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense and a man to man (-1) | |
| 03:35 | Mississippi State | Frank Pruden makes the 3pt shot from the right wing | 51-60 |
| Lineup | Mississippi State | PG - Frank Pruden (tiring) 6 pts. 2 ast. SG - Gary McNeece (fairly fresh) 9 pts. SF - Jason Osuna (fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. PF - John Gravois (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 5 reb. 4 pf. C - Mark Rouse (tired) 11 pts. 10 reb. 3 pf. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - James Aguon (fairly fresh) 9 pts. SG - James Jackowski (fairly fresh) 3 ast. 3 pf. SF - Andrei Palczewski (fresh) PF - Thomas Wainwright (fairly fresh) 12 pts. 4 reb. C - Robert Fisher (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 8 reb. | |
| Game Plan | Mississippi State | Mississippi State is playing a triangle offense (uptempo) and a halfcourt press/3-2 zone (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-1) | |
| 03:18 | Illinois | Andrei Palczewski scores on a floater from the left side on a nice dish by James Aguon | 51-62 |
| 03:05 | Mississippi State | James Jackowski steals it from John Gravois | 51-62 |
| 03:05 | Illinois | Illinois calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 51-62 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | Scott Astorga (SG), Eric Latta (SF) Gary McNeece, Jason Osuna | |
| Subs | Illinois | Boris Zellous (PG), Virgil Polson (SF) James Aguon, Andrei Palczewski | |
| 02:36 | Illinois | Virgil Polson misses the jumpshot from the left wing | 51-62 |
| 02:34 | Mississippi State | The rebound goes to Frank Pruden | 51-62 |
| 02:17 | Mississippi State | Eric Latta hits the front of the rim on the 3 pointer from straight away | 51-62 |
| 02:16 | Mississippi State | John Gravois snags the offensive board | 51-62 |
| 02:05 | Mississippi State | Frank Pruden connects on the 3 pointer from the right corner | 54-62 |
| 01:42 | Illinois | Thomas Wainwright connects on the pull-up jumper from the right side set up by Boris Zellous | 54-64 |
| 01:29 | Mississippi State | Scott Astorga is hacked by Robert Fisher - foul #3 on Robert Fisher, team foul #4 | 54-64 |
| 01:08 | Mississippi State | Boris Zellous steps in front of the Mark Rouse pass | 54-64 |
| Game Plan | Mississippi State | Mississippi State is playing a triangle offense (uptempo) and a fullcourt press (-3) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-1) | |
| 00:39 | Illinois | Thomas Wainwright can't connect on a pull-up jumper from the left wing but the foul's on John Gravois - foul #5 on John Gravois, team foul #8 | 54-64 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | James Widener (PF) John Gravois | |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| 00:39 | Illinois | Thomas Wainwright misses the 1st free throw | 54-64 |
| 00:39 | Illinois | Thomas Wainwright makes the 2nd free throw | 54-65 |
| Game Plan | Mississippi State | Mississippi State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a fullcourt press (-3) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-1) | |
| 00:32 | Mississippi State | Mark Rouse connects on the shot from the free throw line on a great pass from Frank Pruden | 56-65 |
| Game Plan | Mississippi State | Mississippi State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (-3) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (-1) | |
| 00:31 | Illinois | Frank Pruden is called for the reach on Virgil Polson in the backcourt - foul #3 on Frank Pruden, team foul #9 | 56-65 |
| Subs | Mississippi State | | |
| Subs | Illinois | James Aguon (PG) Boris Zellous | |
| 00:31 | Illinois | Virgil Polson makes the 1st free throw | 56-66 |
| 00:31 | Illinois | Virgil Polson makes the 2nd free throw | 56-67 |
| 00:24 | Mississippi State | Eric Latta makes the 3pt jumper from straight away | 59-67 |
| 00:23 | Illinois | Frank Pruden is called for the reach on Virgil Polson in the backcourt - foul #4 on Frank Pruden, team foul #10 | 59-67 |
| 00:23 | Illinois | Virgil Polson makes the 1st free throw | 59-68 |
| 00:23 | Illinois | Virgil Polson makes the 2nd free throw | 59-69 |
| 00:15 | Mississippi State | Thomas Wainwright swats the short shot by Eric Latta | 59-69 |
| 00:13 | Illinois | The rebound goes to James Jackowski | 59-69 |
| Game Plan | Mississippi State | Mississippi State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a fullcourt press (-3) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (-1) | |
| 00:00 | Illinois | James Aguon runs out the clock | 59-69 |