| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Randy Demps (fresh) SG - Donald Webb (fresh) SF - Tyrone Brown (fresh) PF - Michael Hullinger (fresh) C - James Hull (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - David Smith (fresh) SG - Steve Ernsberger (fresh) SF - Shane Lamarche (fresh) PF - Calvin Engman (fresh) C - Joe Zarate (fresh) | |
| 20:00 | Illinois | James Hull wins the tip | 0-0 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a 3-2 zone (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (0) | |
| 19:58 | Illinois | Donald Webb loses the dribble to Shane Lamarche in the backcourt | 0-0 |
| 19:46 | Northwestern | Joe Zarate hits the front of the rim on the 3 from the left wing | 0-0 |
| 19:44 | Northwestern | Steve Ernsberger gets the offensive rebound | 0-0 |
| 19:38 | Northwestern | Joe Zarate misses long on a driving attempt from the left block | 0-0 |
| 19:36 | Illinois | The rebound goes to James Hull | 0-0 |
| 19:15 | Illinois | Tyrone Brown misses long on a jumper near the basket | 0-0 |
| 19:13 | Illinois | Randy Demps pulls down the offensive rebound | 0-0 |
| 18:47 | Illinois | Randy Demps misses badly on the uncontested fadeaway jumper from the left wing | 0-0 |
| 18:46 | Northwestern | Joe Zarate grabs the defensive rebound | 0-0 |
| 18:40 | Northwestern | Shane Lamarche hits the front of the rim on the pull-up jumper from the free throw line but he's hacked by Tyrone Brown - foul #1 on Tyrone Brown, team foul #1 | 0-0 |
| 18:40 | Northwestern | Shane Lamarche makes the 1st free throw | 0-1 |
| 18:40 | Northwestern | Shane Lamarche makes the 2nd free throw | 0-2 |
| 18:18 | Illinois | James Hull scores on a fadeaway jumper from the free throw line set up by Randy Demps | 2-2 |
| 18:03 | Northwestern | Donald Webb picks off the pass by Steve Ernsberger | 2-2 |
| 18:00 | Illinois | Donald Webb can't finish the layup | 2-2 |
| 17:58 | Northwestern | Joe Zarate snags the defensive board | 2-2 |
| 17:54 | Northwestern | Steve Ernsberger hits a 3 from the left corner | 2-5 |
| 17:49 | Illinois | Donald Webb is called for a moving pick in the backcourt - foul #1 on Donald Webb, team foul #2 | 2-5 |
| Subs | Illinois | Michael Bissonnette (PG), Alfred Grant (SG), Brian Wilkinson (PF), Dennis Murray (C) Randy Demps, Donald Webb, Michael Hullinger, James Hull | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Brian Gray (C) Joe Zarate | |
| 17:41 | Northwestern | Shane Lamarche drills a 3pt jumper from the right corner set up by Steve Ernsberger | 2-8 |
| 17:23 | Illinois | Alfred Grant is hacked by Shane Lamarche - foul #1 on Shane Lamarche, team foul #1 | 2-8 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Whited (SG), Dave Fee (SF), Isaac Schultz (C) Steve Ernsberger, Shane Lamarche, Calvin Engman | |
| 17:10 | Illinois | Dennis Murray is by himself and knocks in the floater in the paint on a great pass from Michael Bissonnette | 4-8 |
| 16:53 | Northwestern | David Smith's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 4-8 |
| Subs | Illinois | Michael Hullinger (PF) Tyrone Brown | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Christopher Combs (PG) David Smith | |
| 16:33 | Illinois | Michael Hullinger can't finish the layup but he's hacked by Brian Gray - foul #1 on Brian Gray, team foul #2 | 4-8 |
| Subs | Illinois | Randy Demps (PG) Michael Bissonnette | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Shane Lamarche (SF), Joe Zarate (C) Christopher Combs, Brian Gray | |
| 16:33 | Illinois | Michael Hullinger makes the 1st free throw | 5-8 |
| 16:33 | Illinois | Michael Hullinger makes the 2nd free throw | 6-8 |
| 16:11 | Northwestern | Brian Wilkinson picks off the pass by Joe Zarate | 6-8 |
| 16:08 | Illinois | Alfred Grant hits the finger roll set up by Brian Wilkinson | 8-8 |
| 15:56 | Northwestern | Brian Wilkinson is called for the reach on Shane Lamarche - foul #1 on Brian Wilkinson, team foul #3 | 8-8 |
| Subs | Illinois | Donald Webb (SG), Michael Bissonnette (SF), James Hull (C) Alfred Grant, Brian Wilkinson, Dennis Murray | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Steve Ernsberger (SG), Calvin Engman (PF) Dave Fee, Isaac Schultz | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Randy Demps (fresh) 1 ast. SG - Donald Webb (fresh) SF - Michael Bissonnette (fresh) 1 ast. PF - Michael Hullinger (fairly fresh) 2 pts. C - James Hull (fresh) 2 pts. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - John Whited (fresh) SG - Steve Ernsberger (fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. SF - Shane Lamarche (fresh) 5 pts. PF - Calvin Engman (fresh) C - Joe Zarate (fresh) 2 reb. | |
| 15:45 | Northwestern | Joe Zarate buries a jumpshot from the right side | 8-10 |
| 15:21 | Illinois | Calvin Engman steals it from Michael Hullinger | 8-10 |
| 15:04 | Northwestern | Steve Ernsberger comes up short on the shot from the free throw line | 8-10 |
| 15:03 | Illinois | Donald Webb pulls down the rebound | 8-10 |
| 14:41 | Illinois | Randy Demps hits the front of the rim on the jumper from just outside the lane | 8-10 |
| 14:39 | Northwestern | Calvin Engman snags the defensive board | 8-10 |
| 14:33 | Northwestern | Steve Ernsberger buries a 3pt jumper from the left corner set up by John Whited | 8-13 |
| 14:31 | Illinois | Steve Ernsberger is called for the reach on Randy Demps in the backcourt - foul #1 on Steve Ernsberger, team foul #3 | 8-13 |
| Subs | Illinois | Alfred Grant (SG), Tyrone Brown (SF) Donald Webb, Michael Bissonnette | |
| Subs | Northwestern | David Smith (PG), Dave Fee (SG), Andrew Stocking (SF), Brian Gray (PF), Isaac Schultz (C) John Whited, Steve Ernsberger, Shane Lamarche, Calvin Engman, Joe Zarate | |
| 14:07 | Illinois | David Smith is called for the reach on Randy Demps - foul #1 on David Smith, team foul #4 | 8-13 |
| Subs | Illinois | Brian Wilkinson (PF) Michael Hullinger | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 13:54 | Illinois | Brian Wilkinson hits the front of the rim on the jumper from the right block | 8-13 |
| 13:52 | Illinois | Randy Demps snags the offensive board | 8-13 |
| 13:37 | Illinois | Randy Demps is whistled for traveling | 8-13 |
| Subs | Illinois | Donald Webb (SG), Dennis Murray (C) Alfred Grant, James Hull | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Steve Ernsberger (SG) Andrew Stocking | |
| 13:18 | Northwestern | Dennis Murray steals it from Steve Ernsberger | 8-13 |
| 12:59 | Illinois | Donald Webb is hacked by Isaac Schultz - foul #1 on Isaac Schultz, team foul #5 | 8-13 |
| Subs | Illinois | Michael Bissonnette (PG) Randy Demps | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Andrew Stocking (SF), Calvin Engman (PF) Dave Fee, Brian Gray | |
| 12:34 | Illinois | Brian Wilkinson misses the easy open layup | 8-13 |
| 12:32 | Illinois | Brian Wilkinson tips it in | 10-13 |
| 12:28 | Northwestern | David Smith misses long on a jumper from the left wing | 10-13 |
| 12:26 | Illinois | Brian Wilkinson grabs the board | 10-13 |
| 12:01 | Illinois | David Smith steps in front of the Dennis Murray pass | 10-13 |
| 11:59 | Northwestern | David Smith is fouled in the backcourt by Michael Bissonnette - foul #1 on Michael Bissonnette, team foul #4 | 10-13 |
| Subs | Illinois | Alfred Grant (SG), Michael Hullinger (PF), James Hull (C) Donald Webb, Brian Wilkinson, Dennis Murray | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Christopher Combs (PG), John Whited (SG), Shane Lamarche (SF), Steve Emmons (C) David Smith, Steve Ernsberger, Andrew Stocking, Isaac Schultz | |
| 11:42 | Northwestern | Shane Lamarche misses long on a floater from the right wing | 10-13 |
| 11:41 | Illinois | Michael Hullinger snags the defensive board | 10-13 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Michael Bissonnette (fairly fresh) 1 ast. SG - Alfred Grant (fresh) 2 pts. SF - Tyrone Brown (fairly fresh) PF - Michael Hullinger (fairly fresh) 2 pts. C - James Hull (fresh) 2 pts. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Christopher Combs (fresh) SG - John Whited (fresh) 1 ast. SF - Shane Lamarche (fresh) 5 pts. PF - Calvin Engman (fresh) C - Steve Emmons (fresh) | |
| 11:38 | Illinois | Michael Bissonnette is hacked by Christopher Combs in the backcourt - foul #1 on Christopher Combs, team foul #6 | 10-13 |
| Subs | Illinois | Randy Demps (PG) Michael Bissonnette | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Brian Gray (PF), Joe Zarate (C) Calvin Engman, Steve Emmons | |
| 11:16 | Illinois | James Hull blows the layup | 10-13 |
| 11:14 | Illinois | The offensive rebound goes to Tyrone Brown | 10-13 |
| 10:51 | Illinois | Randy Demps makes the 3pt jumper from the right wing on a nice dish by Tyrone Brown | 13-13 |
| 10:29 | Northwestern | Christopher Combs misses the 3 pointer from straight away | 13-13 |
| 10:27 | Northwestern | Joe Zarate grabs the offensive board | 13-13 |
| 10:20 | Northwestern | Joe Zarate comes up short on the floater from the free throw line but he's hacked by Michael Hullinger - foul #1 on Michael Hullinger, team foul #5 | 13-13 |
| Subs | Illinois | Michael Bissonnette (PG) Randy Demps | |
| Subs | Northwestern | David Smith (PG), Steve Ernsberger (SG), Calvin Engman (PF) Christopher Combs, John Whited, Brian Gray | |
| 10:20 | Northwestern | Joe Zarate misses the 1st free throw | 13-13 |
| 10:20 | Northwestern | Joe Zarate makes the 2nd free throw | 13-14 |
| 10:18 | Illinois | Michael Bissonnette is fouled in the backcourt by Joe Zarate - foul #1 on Joe Zarate, team foul #7 | 13-14 |
| Subs | Illinois | Donald Webb (SG) Alfred Grant | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Isaac Schultz (C) Joe Zarate | |
| 10:18 | Illinois | Michael Bissonnette makes the 1st free throw | 14-14 |
| 10:18 | Illinois | Michael Bissonnette misses the 2nd free throw | 14-14 |
| 10:18 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Isaac Schultz | 14-14 |
| 09:57 | Northwestern | David Smith clanks a 3pt attempt from straight away | 14-14 |
| 09:55 | Illinois | Tyrone Brown pulls down the rebound | 14-14 |
| 09:30 | Illinois | James Hull banks in the wide open layup on a nice dish by Tyrone Brown | 16-14 |
| 09:04 | Northwestern | Calvin Engman lays it up and in on a nice dish by Steve Ernsberger | 16-16 |
| 08:53 | Illinois | Shane Lamarche steps in front of the James Hull pass | 16-16 |
| 08:50 | Northwestern | David Smith slams it home on a great pass from Shane Lamarche | 16-18 |
| 08:26 | Illinois | James Hull misses the easy layup but he's fouled by Steve Ernsberger - foul #2 on Steve Ernsberger, team foul #8 | 16-18 |
| Subs | Illinois | Randy Demps (PG), Alfred Grant (SG), Brian Wilkinson (SF), Dennis Murray (PF) Michael Bissonnette, Donald Webb, Tyrone Brown, Michael Hullinger | |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Whited (SG), Dave Fee (SF), Brian Gray (PF), Joe Zarate (C) Steve Ernsberger, Shane Lamarche, Calvin Engman, Isaac Schultz | |
| 08:26 | Illinois | James Hull misses the 1st free throw | 16-18 |
| 08:26 | Illinois | James Hull makes the 2nd free throw | 17-18 |
| 08:10 | Northwestern | Joe Zarate can't finish the layup but he's fouled by James Hull - foul #1 on James Hull, team foul #6 | 17-18 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Christopher Combs (PG) David Smith | |
| 08:10 | Northwestern | Joe Zarate makes the 1st free throw | 17-19 |
| 08:10 | Northwestern | Joe Zarate makes the 2nd free throw | 17-20 |
| 08:00 | Illinois | Brian Wilkinson is open and buries a jumper in the lane on a nice dish by Randy Demps and he's hacked by Dave Fee - foul #1 on Dave Fee, team foul #9 | 19-20 |
| 08:00 | Illinois | Brian Wilkinson makes the free throw | 20-20 |
| 07:50 | Northwestern | Dave Fee travels with the ball | 20-20 |
| 07:35 | Illinois | Brian Gray swats the shot by James Hull | 20-20 |
| 07:33 | Northwestern | Brian Gray grabs the defensive rebound | 20-20 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Randy Demps (fresh) 3 pts. 2 ast. SG - Alfred Grant (fresh) 2 pts. SF - Brian Wilkinson (fresh) 5 pts. 2 reb. PF - Dennis Murray (fresh) 2 pts. C - James Hull (tiring) 5 pts. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Christopher Combs (fresh) SG - John Whited (fresh) 1 ast. SF - Dave Fee (fresh) PF - Brian Gray (fresh) C - Joe Zarate (fresh) 5 pts. 3 reb. | |
| 07:19 | Northwestern | Dave Fee drills a 3pt shot from the left wing | 20-23 |
| 06:55 | Illinois | Dave Fee is called for the reach on James Hull - foul #2 on Dave Fee, team foul #10 | 20-23 |
| Subs | Illinois | Michael Bissonnette (PG) Randy Demps | |
| Subs | Northwestern | David Smith (PG), Andrew Stocking (SF), Calvin Engman (PF), Isaac Schultz (C) Christopher Combs, Dave Fee, Brian Gray, Joe Zarate | |
| 06:55 | Illinois | James Hull makes the 1st free throw | 21-23 |
| 06:55 | Illinois | James Hull makes the 2nd free throw | 22-23 |
| 06:34 | Northwestern | David Smith misses short on a pull-up jumper from just outside the lane but he's fouled by James Hull - foul #2 on James Hull, team foul #7 | 22-23 |
| Subs | Illinois | Donald Webb (SG), Tyrone Brown (SF), Michael Hullinger (PF) Alfred Grant, Brian Wilkinson, James Hull | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Shane Lamarche (SF) Andrew Stocking | |
| 06:34 | Northwestern | David Smith makes the 1st free throw | 22-24 |
| 06:34 | Northwestern | David Smith makes the 2nd free throw | 22-25 |
| 06:08 | Illinois | Michael Hullinger is fouled on the floor by Calvin Engman - foul #1 on Calvin Engman, team foul #11 | 22-25 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Christopher Combs (SG) John Whited | |
| 06:08 | Illinois | Michael Hullinger makes the 1st free throw | 23-25 |
| 06:08 | Illinois | Michael Hullinger makes the 2nd free throw | 24-25 |
| 05:55 | Northwestern | Isaac Schultz is called for a pushoff foul - foul #2 on Isaac Schultz, team foul #12 | 24-25 |
| Subs | Illinois | Randy Demps (PG) Tyrone Brown | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Steve Emmons (C) Isaac Schultz | |
| 05:53 | Illinois | Christopher Combs is called for the reach on Donald Webb in the backcourt - foul #2 on Christopher Combs, team foul #13 | 24-25 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Whited (SG) Christopher Combs | |
| 05:53 | Illinois | Donald Webb makes the 1st free throw | 25-25 |
| 05:53 | Illinois | Donald Webb misses the 2nd free throw | 25-25 |
| 05:53 | Northwestern | Steve Emmons grabs the defensive rebound | 25-25 |
| 05:47 | Northwestern | Steve Emmons misses the turnaround from the left block | 25-25 |
| 05:46 | Illinois | Randy Demps pulls down the rebound | 25-25 |
| 05:30 | Illinois | Dennis Murray drills a fadeaway near the basket on a nice dish by Donald Webb | 27-25 |
| 05:13 | Northwestern | Calvin Engman comes up short on the fadeaway from the right side but he's fouled by Randy Demps - foul #1 on Randy Demps, team foul #8 | 27-25 |
| Subs | Illinois | Alfred Grant (SG), Brian Wilkinson (SF), James Hull (C) Donald Webb, Michael Bissonnette, Dennis Murray | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Andrew Stocking (SF), Joe Zarate (C) Shane Lamarche, Steve Emmons | |
| 05:13 | Northwestern | Calvin Engman makes the 1st free throw | 27-26 |
| 05:13 | Northwestern | Calvin Engman makes the 2nd free throw | 27-27 |
| 04:52 | Illinois | Alfred Grant loses the dribble to John Whited | 27-27 |
| 04:48 | Northwestern | David Smith hits the finger roll set up by John Whited | 27-29 |
| 04:19 | Illinois | James Hull scores on a driving attempt from the right block set up by Alfred Grant | 29-29 |
| 04:04 | Northwestern | Andrew Stocking can't connect on a 3 from straight away | 29-29 |
| 04:03 | Illinois | James Hull pulls down the rebound | 29-29 |
| 04:01 | Illinois | Randy Demps is fouled in the backcourt by John Whited - foul #1 on John Whited, team foul #14 | 29-29 |
| Subs | Illinois | Tyrone Brown (SF), Dennis Murray (C) Brian Wilkinson, James Hull | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Shane Lamarche (SF), Brian Gray (PF), Steve Emmons (C) Andrew Stocking, Calvin Engman, Joe Zarate | |
| 04:01 | Illinois | Randy Demps makes the 1st free throw | 30-29 |
| 04:01 | Illinois | Randy Demps misses the 2nd free throw | 30-29 |
| 04:01 | Northwestern | Brian Gray grabs the board | 30-29 |
| 03:57 | Northwestern | Michael Hullinger picks off the pass by John Whited | 30-29 |
| 03:37 | Illinois | Michael Hullinger makes the pull-up jumper from the left wing | 32-29 |
| 03:33 | Northwestern | John Whited is called for the offensive foul - foul #2 on John Whited, team foul #15 | 32-29 |
| Subs | Illinois | Michael Bissonnette (PG), Donald Webb (SG) Randy Demps, Alfred Grant | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Christopher Combs (PG), Steve Ernsberger (SG), Isaac Schultz (C) David Smith, John Whited, Steve Emmons | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Michael Bissonnette (fresh) 1 pts. 1 ast. SG - Donald Webb (fresh) 1 pts. 1 ast. SF - Tyrone Brown (fairly fresh) 2 reb. PF - Michael Hullinger (tiring) 6 pts. C - Dennis Murray (fairly fresh) 4 pts. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Christopher Combs (fresh) SG - Steve Ernsberger (fresh) 6 pts. 2 ast. SF - Shane Lamarche (fresh) 5 pts. 2 stl. PF - Brian Gray (fresh) 2 reb. C - Isaac Schultz (fresh) | |
| 03:06 | Illinois | Michael Hullinger clanks a jumper from the left side but the foul's on Brian Gray - foul #2 on Brian Gray, team foul #16 | 32-29 |
| Subs | Illinois | James Hull (C) Dennis Murray | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 03:06 | Illinois | Michael Hullinger makes the 1st free throw | 33-29 |
| 03:06 | Illinois | Michael Hullinger misses the 2nd free throw | 33-29 |
| 03:06 | Northwestern | Isaac Schultz pulls down the rebound | 33-29 |
| 02:51 | Northwestern | Isaac Schultz clanks a 3 pointer from the left wing | 33-29 |
| 02:49 | Illinois | Michael Hullinger snags the defensive board | 33-29 |
| 02:25 | Illinois | Donald Webb knocks in the 3pt jumper from the left corner on a nice dish by Michael Bissonnette | 36-29 |
| 02:03 | Northwestern | Christopher Combs throws a bad pass out of bounds | 36-29 |
| Subs | Illinois | Randy Demps (PG), Alfred Grant (SG), Brian Wilkinson (PF), Dennis Murray (C) Michael Bissonnette, Donald Webb, Michael Hullinger, James Hull | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Dave Fee (SF), Joe Zarate (C) Shane Lamarche, Brian Gray | |
| 01:41 | Illinois | Brian Wilkinson is open but comes up short on the floater from the left side | 36-29 |
| 01:39 | Northwestern | Joe Zarate grabs the board | 36-29 |
| 01:34 | Northwestern | Dave Fee buries a fadeaway from the right block on a great pass from Christopher Combs | 36-31 |
| 01:18 | Illinois | Alfred Grant makes the wide open jumper from the right block set up by Brian Wilkinson | 38-31 |
| 01:12 | Northwestern | Isaac Schultz is called for the illegal screen - foul #3 on Isaac Schultz, team foul #17 | 38-31 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | David Smith (PG), Andrew Stocking (SF), Calvin Engman (PF) Christopher Combs, Steve Ernsberger, Isaac Schultz | |
| 00:48 | Illinois | Alfred Grant is hacked by Dave Fee - foul #3 on Dave Fee, team foul #18 | 38-31 |
| Subs | Illinois | Michael Bissonnette (SF), James Hull (C) Tyrone Brown, Dennis Murray | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Steve Ernsberger (SG), Shane Lamarche (SF), Steve Emmons (C) Dave Fee, Andrew Stocking, Joe Zarate | |
| 00:48 | Illinois | Alfred Grant makes the 1st free throw | 39-31 |
| 00:48 | Illinois | Alfred Grant makes the 2nd free throw | 40-31 |
| 00:36 | Northwestern | Steve Ernsberger buries a shot in the lane on a nice dish by David Smith | 40-33 |
| 00:07 | Illinois | Brian Wilkinson scores on a floater from the left block on a nice dish by Michael Bissonnette | 42-33 |
| 00:02 | Northwestern | Randy Demps steals it from Calvin Engman | 42-33 |
| 00:00 | Illinois | Randy Demps misses long on a fullcourt shot | 42-33 |