| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Leonard Thompson (fresh) 5 pts. 2 ast. SG - Eric Ansley (fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. SF - Brian Shurtleff (fresh) 3 reb. 2 blk. PF - Jonathan Chappell (fresh) 2 pts. C - Mark Arnold (fresh) 3 pts. 3 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Leon Hall (fresh) SG - Patrick McCorrison (fresh) 2 pts. SF - Mario Klingbeil (fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. PF - Larry Stanley (fresh) 2 stl. C - Robert Moralez (fresh) 6 pts. 4 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Illinois | Mario Klingbeil inbounds the ball | 27-25 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a motion offense and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a fullcourt press (+2) | |
| 19:36 | Illinois | Robert Moralez banks in the layup | 27-27 |
| 19:09 | Michigan State | Jonathan Chappell double dribbles | 27-27 |
| 18:43 | Illinois | Mario Klingbeil hits the front of the rim on the fadeaway from close range | 27-27 |
| 18:41 | Illinois | Leon Hall hits the follow up shot | 27-29 |
| 18:36 | Michigan State | Mario Klingbeil is called for the reach on Leonard Thompson in the backcourt - foul #2 on Mario Klingbeil, team foul #1 | 27-29 |
| 18:25 | Michigan State | Eric Ansley makes the shot from the left side set up by Mark Arnold | 29-29 |
| 18:11 | Illinois | Mario Klingbeil misses short on a floater from the left side | 29-29 |
| 18:09 | Michigan State | Mark Arnold grabs the board | 29-29 |
| 17:52 | Michigan State | Eric Ansley is whistled for an offensive foul - foul #2 on Eric Ansley, team foul #1 | 29-29 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Kenneth Swanson (PG), Jerry Poch (PF) Leonard Thompson, Jonathan Chappell | |
| Subs | Illinois | Jack Robinson (PG), Scott Blackwell (SG), Ernest Miller (SF), Leon Skinner (PF), David White (C) Leon Hall, Patrick McCorrison, Mario Klingbeil, Larry Stanley, Robert Moralez | |
| 17:28 | Illinois | Ernest Miller misses short on a 3pt shot from the right wing | 29-29 |
| 17:27 | Michigan State | Jerry Poch grabs the board | 29-29 |
| 17:07 | Michigan State | Kenneth Swanson knocks in the fadeaway jumper from the free throw line set up by Eric Ansley | 31-29 |
| 16:38 | Illinois | Ernest Miller scores on a 3pt attempt from the left corner set up by Jack Robinson | 31-32 |
| 16:24 | Michigan State | Kenneth Swanson makes the wide open jumper from the free throw line | 33-32 |
| 16:00 | Illinois | David White's layup is rejected by Jerry Poch | 33-32 |
| 15:58 | Michigan State | Jerry Poch gets the rebound | 33-32 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Kenneth Swanson (fresh) 7 pts. 1 ast. SG - Eric Ansley (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 2 ast. SF - Brian Shurtleff (fairly fresh) 3 reb. 2 blk. PF - Jerry Poch (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 6 reb. C - Mark Arnold (tiring) 3 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Jack Robinson (fairly fresh) 2 ast. SG - Scott Blackwell (fairly fresh) SF - Ernest Miller (fresh) 10 pts. PF - Leon Skinner (fairly fresh) 2 pts. C - David White (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 4 reb. | |
| 15:47 | Michigan State | Leon Skinner steps in front of the Mark Arnold pass | 33-32 |
| 15:23 | Illinois | Ernest Miller makes the pull-up jumper from the left side on a nice dish by Jack Robinson | 33-34 |
| 15:21 | Michigan State | Brian Shurtleff is fouled in the backcourt by Ernest Miller - foul #2 on Ernest Miller, team foul #2 | 33-34 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Leonard Thompson (PG), Ray Boyd (SG), Patrick Wilkinson (SF), Jonathan Chappell (PF), John Kindel (C) Kenneth Swanson, Eric Ansley, Brian Shurtleff, Jerry Poch, Mark Arnold | |
| Subs | Illinois | Leon Hall (PG), Patrick McCorrison (SG), Mario Klingbeil (SF), Larry Stanley (PF), Robert Moralez (C) Jack Robinson, Scott Blackwell, Ernest Miller, Leon Skinner, David White | |
| 15:08 | Michigan State | Leonard Thompson misses short on an open 3pt attempt from the left wing | 33-34 |
| 15:07 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Mario Klingbeil | 33-34 |
| 14:44 | Illinois | Robert Moralez scores on a pull-up jumper from the left side | 33-36 |
| 14:30 | Michigan State | John Kindel connects on the floater near the basket on a great pass from Leonard Thompson | 35-36 |
| 14:05 | Illinois | Larry Stanley is hacked by Jonathan Chappell - foul #1 on Jonathan Chappell, team foul #2 | 35-36 |
| 13:45 | Illinois | Robert Moralez is whistled for traveling | 35-36 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Brian Shurtleff (SF) Patrick Wilkinson | |
| Subs | Illinois | Ernest Miller (PG) Leon Hall | |
| 13:31 | Michigan State | Larry Stanley blocks the short jumper by Jonathan Chappell | 35-36 |
| 13:30 | Illinois | Larry Stanley gets the rebound | 35-36 |
| 13:23 | Illinois | Ray Boyd is called for the reach on Patrick McCorrison - foul #1 on Ray Boyd, team foul #3 | 35-36 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Michael Glass (SG), Jerry Poch (C) Ray Boyd, John Kindel | |
| Subs | Illinois | Jack Robinson (PG), Scott Blackwell (SG), Leon Skinner (PF) Patrick McCorrison, Mario Klingbeil, Larry Stanley | |
| 13:00 | Illinois | Robert Moralez's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 35-36 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Kenneth Swanson (PG), Eric Ansley (SG), Mark Arnold (C) Leonard Thompson, Michael Glass, Jonathan Chappell | |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| 12:31 | Michigan State | Eric Ansley misses long on a shot from just outside the lane | 35-36 |
| 12:29 | Illinois | Robert Moralez grabs the defensive rebound | 35-36 |
| 12:06 | Illinois | Jack Robinson connects on the pull-up jumper from the right side on a great pass from Scott Blackwell | 35-38 |
| 11:49 | Michigan State | Eric Ansley comes up short on the 3pt attempt from the left corner | 35-38 |
| 11:48 | Illinois | Leon Skinner pulls down the rebound | 35-38 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Kenneth Swanson (fresh) 7 pts. 1 ast. SG - Eric Ansley (fresh) 5 pts. 2 ast. SF - Brian Shurtleff (tiring) 3 reb. 2 blk. PF - Jerry Poch (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 6 reb. C - Mark Arnold (tiring) 3 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Jack Robinson (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 3 ast. SG - Scott Blackwell (fairly fresh) 1 ast. SF - Ernest Miller (fairly fresh) 12 pts. PF - Leon Skinner (fairly fresh) 2 pts. C - Robert Moralez (fairly fresh) 10 pts. 5 reb. | |
| 11:29 | Illinois | Ernest Miller misses the fadeaway from just outside the lane but he's fouled by Jerry Poch - foul #3 on Jerry Poch, team foul #4 | 35-38 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Leonard Thompson (PG), Ray Boyd (SG), Patrick Wilkinson (SF), Jonathan Chappell (PF), John Kindel (C) Kenneth Swanson, Eric Ansley, Brian Shurtleff, Jerry Poch, Mark Arnold | |
| Subs | Illinois | Leon Hall (PG), Patrick McCorrison (SG), Larry Stanley (PF), David White (C) Jack Robinson, Scott Blackwell, Leon Skinner, Robert Moralez | |
| 11:29 | Illinois | Ernest Miller makes the 1st free throw | 35-39 |
| 11:29 | Illinois | Ernest Miller misses the 2nd free throw | 35-39 |
| 11:29 | Michigan State | John Kindel grabs the defensive rebound | 35-39 |
| 11:27 | Michigan State | Ray Boyd's pass is intercepted by Ernest Miller in the backcourt | 35-39 |
| 11:25 | Illinois | Leon Hall banks in the layup on a nice dish by Ernest Miller | 35-41 |
| 11:01 | Michigan State | John Kindel double dribbles | 35-41 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Illinois | Mario Klingbeil (SF) Ernest Miller | |
| 10:32 | Illinois | Mario Klingbeil scores on a runner from the baseline set up by Patrick McCorrison and he's hacked by Patrick Wilkinson - foul #3 on Patrick Wilkinson, team foul #5 | 35-43 |
| 10:32 | Illinois | Mario Klingbeil makes the free throw | 35-44 |
| 10:14 | Michigan State | Jonathan Chappell misses short on a jumpshot from the right side | 35-44 |
| 10:13 | Illinois | Patrick McCorrison grabs the board | 35-44 |
| 09:53 | Illinois | Patrick McCorrison connects on the fadeaway from just outside the lane on a great pass from Leon Hall | 35-46 |
| 09:29 | Michigan State | Jonathan Chappell clanks a pull-up jumper from the free throw line | 35-46 |
| 09:27 | Illinois | Mario Klingbeil snags the defensive board | 35-46 |
| 08:58 | Illinois | Mario Klingbeil is fouled on the floor by Jonathan Chappell - foul #2 on Jonathan Chappell, team foul #6 | 35-46 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Kenneth Swanson (PG), Eric Ansley (SG), Brian Shurtleff (SF), Jerry Poch (PF), Mark Arnold (C) Leonard Thompson, Ray Boyd, Patrick Wilkinson, Jonathan Chappell, John Kindel | |
| Subs | Illinois | Jack Robinson (PG), Scott Blackwell (SG), Ernest Miller (SF), Leon Skinner (PF), Robert Moralez (C) Leon Hall, Patrick McCorrison, Mario Klingbeil, Larry Stanley, David White | |
| 08:36 | Illinois | Leon Skinner can't connect on a 3 from the left wing | 35-46 |
| 08:34 | Michigan State | Brian Shurtleff grabs the defensive rebound | 35-46 |
| 08:13 | Michigan State | Mark Arnold blows the layup | 35-46 |
| 08:11 | Michigan State | Brian Shurtleff can't tip it in | 35-46 |
| 08:10 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Leon Skinner | 35-46 |
| 07:55 | Illinois | Robert Moralez lays it in on a nice dish by Ernest Miller | 35-48 |
| 07:53 | Michigan State | Eric Ansley is called for traveling in the backcourt | 35-48 |
| 07:39 | Illinois | Robert Moralez clanks a fadeaway in the paint but he's hacked by Mark Arnold - foul #2 on Mark Arnold, team foul #7 | 35-48 |
| Subs | Michigan State | John Kindel (SF) Brian Shurtleff | |
| Subs | Illinois | Mario Klingbeil (SF) Ernest Miller | |
| 07:39 | Illinois | Robert Moralez misses the 1st free throw | 35-48 |
| 07:39 | Illinois | Robert Moralez makes the 2nd free throw | 35-49 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Kenneth Swanson (fresh) 7 pts. 1 ast. SG - Eric Ansley (fresh) 5 pts. 2 ast. SF - John Kindel (fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. PF - Jerry Poch (fresh) 6 pts. 6 reb. 3 pf. C - Mark Arnold (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Jack Robinson (fresh) 2 pts. 3 ast. SG - Scott Blackwell (fresh) 1 ast. SF - Mario Klingbeil (fresh) 7 pts. 4 reb. PF - Leon Skinner (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. C - Robert Moralez (fairly fresh) 13 pts. 5 reb. | |
| 07:25 | Michigan State | Eric Ansley knocks in the 3 pointer from the left wing on a great pass from Kenneth Swanson | 38-49 |
| 07:04 | Illinois | Jack Robinson misses the lay-in | 38-49 |
| 07:03 | Illinois | Leon Skinner tips it home | 38-51 |
| 06:50 | Michigan State | Jerry Poch clanks a jump hook from the right block but he's fouled by Robert Moralez - foul #2 on Robert Moralez, team foul #3 | 38-51 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Leonard Thompson (PG), Patrick Wilkinson (SF), Jonathan Chappell (PF) Kenneth Swanson, John Kindel, Mark Arnold | |
| Subs | Illinois | Leon Hall (PG), Ernest Miller (SG), Larry Stanley (PF) Jack Robinson, Scott Blackwell, Leon Skinner | |
| 06:50 | Michigan State | Jerry Poch makes the 1st free throw | 39-51 |
| 06:50 | Michigan State | Jerry Poch makes the 2nd free throw | 40-51 |
| 06:26 | Illinois | Ernest Miller is hacked by Patrick Wilkinson - foul #4 on Patrick Wilkinson, team foul #8 | 40-51 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Ray Boyd (SG), Brian Shurtleff (SF), John Kindel (C) Eric Ansley, Patrick Wilkinson, Jerry Poch | |
| Subs | Illinois | Patrick McCorrison (SG), David White (C) Mario Klingbeil, Robert Moralez | |
| 06:26 | Illinois | Ernest Miller makes the 1st free throw | 40-52 |
| 06:26 | Illinois | Ernest Miller makes the 2nd free throw | 40-53 |
| 06:14 | Michigan State | Brian Shurtleff misses the shot from the right side | 40-53 |
| 06:12 | Illinois | David White gets the rebound | 40-53 |
| 05:55 | Illinois | Patrick McCorrison misses the shot from the right wing but the foul's on Ray Boyd - foul #2 on Ray Boyd, team foul #9 | 40-53 |
| 05:55 | Illinois | Patrick McCorrison misses the 1st free throw | 40-53 |
| 05:55 | Illinois | Patrick McCorrison misses the 2nd free throw | 40-53 |
| 05:55 | Michigan State | Ray Boyd gets the rebound | 40-53 |
| 05:51 | Michigan State | Ray Boyd's pass is off the mark and out of bounds in the backcourt | 40-53 |
| 05:27 | Illinois | The short jumper by Ernest Miller is denied by Jonathan Chappell | 40-53 |
| 05:25 | Michigan State | Jonathan Chappell gets the rebound | 40-53 |
| 05:22 | Michigan State | Brian Shurtleff is hacked by Ernest Miller in the backcourt - foul #3 on Ernest Miller, team foul #4 | 40-53 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Eric Ansley (SG) Ray Boyd | |
| Subs | Illinois | Jack Robinson (PG), Scott Blackwell (SG), Mario Klingbeil (SF) Leon Hall, Ernest Miller, David White | |
| 05:05 | Michigan State | Jonathan Chappell banks in the layup on a great pass from John Kindel and he's hacked by Mario Klingbeil - foul #3 on Mario Klingbeil, team foul #5 | 42-53 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Patrick Wilkinson (SF) Brian Shurtleff | |
| Subs | Illinois | Anthony Golden (PF), Robert Moralez (C) Larry Stanley, Patrick McCorrison | |
| 05:05 | Michigan State | Jonathan Chappell makes the free throw | 43-53 |
| 04:40 | Illinois | Mario Klingbeil connects on the runner from close range | 43-55 |
| 04:28 | Michigan State | John Kindel misses the pull-up jumper from the free throw line | 43-55 |
| 04:26 | Michigan State | Jonathan Chappell tips it but misses | 43-55 |
| 04:25 | Illinois | Mario Klingbeil grabs the defensive rebound | 43-55 |
| 04:18 | Illinois | Robert Moralez banks in the layup on a great pass from Jack Robinson | 43-57 |
| 04:10 | Michigan State | Patrick Wilkinson misses badly on a shot from just outside the lane | 43-57 |
| 04:09 | Michigan State | John Kindel grabs the offensive rebound | 43-57 |
| 04:00 | Michigan State | Leonard Thompson scores on a 3 pointer from the right corner on a nice dish by John Kindel | 46-57 |
| 03:37 | Illinois | Robert Moralez can't throw it down | 46-57 |
| 03:35 | Michigan State | Patrick Wilkinson grabs the board | 46-57 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Leonard Thompson (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 3 ast. SG - Eric Ansley (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 2 ast. SF - Patrick Wilkinson (fresh) 2 pts. 4 pf. PF - Jonathan Chappell (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 3 reb. 2 blk. C - John Kindel (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 3 ast. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Jack Robinson (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 4 ast. SG - Scott Blackwell (fairly fresh) 1 ast. SF - Mario Klingbeil (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 5 reb. 3 pf. PF - Anthony Golden (fresh) C - Robert Moralez (fairly fresh) 15 pts. 5 reb. | |
| 03:21 | Michigan State | Leonard Thompson makes the runner in the lane on a great pass from Patrick Wilkinson | 48-57 |
| 03:01 | Illinois | Robert Moralez connects on the fadeaway from just outside the lane on a nice dish by Scott Blackwell | 48-59 |
| 02:59 | Michigan State | Michigan State calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 48-59 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Kenneth Swanson (PG), Brian Shurtleff (SF), Jerry Poch (PF), Mark Arnold (C) Leonard Thompson, Patrick Wilkinson, Jonathan Chappell, John Kindel | |
| Subs | Illinois | Leon Hall (PG), Patrick McCorrison (SG), Ernest Miller (SF), Larry Stanley (PF), David White (C) Jack Robinson, Scott Blackwell, Mario Klingbeil, Anthony Golden, Robert Moralez | |
| 02:46 | Michigan State | Jerry Poch misses the lay-in | 48-59 |
| 02:44 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Larry Stanley | 48-59 |
| 02:22 | Illinois | David White's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 48-59 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Ray Boyd (SG), Patrick Wilkinson (SF), John Kindel (C) Eric Ansley, Brian Shurtleff, Mark Arnold | |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| 02:02 | Michigan State | David White blocks the short jumper by Jerry Poch | 48-59 |
| 02:00 | Michigan State | The offensive rebound goes to John Kindel | 48-59 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a fullcourt press (+2) | |
| 01:50 | Michigan State | Jerry Poch drills a driving attempt from close range on a nice dish by Kenneth Swanson | 50-59 |
| 01:50 | Illinois | Illinois calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 50-59 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Leonard Thompson (PG), Eric Ansley (SG), Brian Shurtleff (SF), Jonathan Chappell (PF), Mark Arnold (C) Kenneth Swanson, Ray Boyd, Patrick Wilkinson, Jerry Poch, John Kindel | |
| Subs | Illinois | Mario Klingbeil (SF), Robert Moralez (C) Ernest Miller, David White | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a man to man (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a fullcourt press (+2) | |
| 01:30 | Illinois | Larry Stanley comes up short on the fadeaway from the left side | 50-59 |
| 01:29 | Illinois | Robert Moralez gets the offensive rebound | 50-59 |
| 01:06 | Illinois | Mario Klingbeil is hacked by Mark Arnold - foul #3 on Mark Arnold, team foul #10 | 50-59 |
| 01:06 | Illinois | Mario Klingbeil makes the 1st free throw | 50-60 |
| 01:06 | Illinois | Mario Klingbeil makes the 2nd free throw | 50-61 |
| 01:02 | Michigan State | Leonard Thompson is fouled in the backcourt by Leon Hall - foul #2 on Leon Hall, team foul #6 | 50-61 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Kenneth Swanson (PG), Ray Boyd (SG), Patrick Wilkinson (SF), Jerry Poch (PF), John Kindel (C) Leonard Thompson, Eric Ansley, Brian Shurtleff, Jonathan Chappell, Mark Arnold | |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| 00:50 | Michigan State | John Kindel is fouled on the floor by Patrick McCorrison - foul #1 on Patrick McCorrison, team foul #7 | 50-61 |
| 00:50 | Michigan State | John Kindel makes the 1st free throw | 51-61 |
| 00:50 | Michigan State | John Kindel misses the 2nd free throw | 51-61 |
| 00:50 | Illinois | Robert Moralez snags the defensive board | 51-61 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and intentionally fouling (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (+2) | |
| 00:47 | Illinois | Robert Moralez is fouled in the backcourt by Ray Boyd - foul #3 on Ray Boyd, team foul #11 | 51-61 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Illinois | Ernest Miller (SG), Phillip Dean (PF) Patrick McCorrison, Larry Stanley | |
| 00:47 | Illinois | Robert Moralez makes the 1st free throw | 51-62 |
| 00:47 | Illinois | Robert Moralez makes the 2nd free throw | 51-63 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (+2) | |
| 00:42 | Michigan State | Kenneth Swanson clanks a fadeaway jumper from the left wing | 51-63 |
| 00:40 | Illinois | Robert Moralez grabs the board | 51-63 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a man to man (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (+2) | |
| 00:16 | Illinois | John Kindel steals it from Ernest Miller | 51-63 |
| 00:08 | Michigan State | Ray Boyd is fouled on the floor by Leon Hall - foul #3 on Leon Hall, team foul #8 | 51-63 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Illinois | Patrick McCorrison (SG), Larry Stanley (PF) Ernest Miller, Phillip Dean | |
| 00:08 | Michigan State | Ray Boyd makes the 1st free throw | 52-63 |
| 00:08 | Michigan State | Ray Boyd makes the 2nd free throw | 53-63 |
| 00:00 | Illinois | Leon Hall runs out the clock | 53-63 |