| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Russell Towne (fresh) 3 pts. 3 ast. SG - John Witherell (fresh) 8 pts. 3 ast. SF - John Watson (fresh) 8 pts. 3 reb. PF - William Callahan (fresh) 10 pts. 2 reb. C - Kwakou Albarazi (fresh) 4 pts. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - David Smith (fresh) 5 pts. SG - Steve Ernsberger (fresh) 6 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SF - Shane Lamarche (fresh) 7 pts. 3 reb. PF - Calvin Engman (fresh) 3 pts. 5 reb. C - Joe Zarate (fresh) | |
| 20:00 | Michigan State | John Watson inbounds the ball | 37-45 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a motion offense and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| 19:56 | Michigan State | William Callahan is hacked by Calvin Engman in the backcourt - foul #1 on Calvin Engman, team foul #1 | 37-45 |
| 19:48 | Michigan State | John Watson hits the front of the rim on the wide open 3 from straight away | 37-45 |
| 19:47 | Michigan State | William Callahan tips it in | 39-45 |
| 19:41 | Northwestern | Steve Ernsberger misses badly on a 3pt attempt from straight away | 39-45 |
| 19:40 | Michigan State | Kwakou Albarazi pulls down the rebound | 39-45 |
| 19:34 | Michigan State | John Witherell hits a jumper from the left block on a great pass from Russell Towne and the foul's on Steve Ernsberger - foul #3 on Steve Ernsberger, team foul #2 | 41-45 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Whited (SG) Steve Ernsberger | |
| 19:34 | Michigan State | John Witherell makes the free throw | 42-45 |
| 19:15 | Northwestern | William Callahan steps in front of the Calvin Engman pass | 42-45 |
| 18:55 | Michigan State | William Callahan's fadeaway is rejected by Joe Zarate | 42-45 |
| 18:54 | Northwestern | Joe Zarate grabs the defensive rebound | 42-45 |
| 18:50 | Northwestern | Shane Lamarche misses short on a 3pt jumper from the left wing | 42-45 |
| 18:49 | Michigan State | John Witherell gets the rebound | 42-45 |
| 18:42 | Michigan State | Russell Towne is hacked by Shane Lamarche in the backcourt - foul #2 on Shane Lamarche, team foul #3 | 42-45 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Brian Gray (PF), Isaac Schultz (C) Calvin Engman, Joe Zarate | |
| 18:31 | Michigan State | William Callahan misses the fadeaway jumper from the right side | 42-45 |
| 18:29 | Northwestern | Isaac Schultz grabs the defensive rebound | 42-45 |
| 18:23 | Northwestern | Shane Lamarche makes the 3pt shot from the left wing on a great pass from David Smith | 42-48 |
| 18:06 | Michigan State | Isaac Schultz swats the layup by John Witherell | 42-48 |
| 18:04 | Michigan State | John Witherell hits the follow up shot | 44-48 |
| 17:52 | Northwestern | David Smith comes up short on the pull-up jumper from the free throw line | 44-48 |
| 17:51 | Michigan State | John Watson grabs the board | 44-48 |
| 17:49 | Michigan State | Russell Towne is called for the illegal screen in the backcourt - foul #2 on Russell Towne, team foul #1 | 44-48 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Randy Sharp (PG), Boris Gorzynski (SG), Michael Carlos (SF), John Mikula (PF), Stephen Harrold (C) Russell Towne, John Witherell, John Watson, William Callahan, Kwakou Albarazi | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Christopher Combs (PG), Dave Fee (SG), Andrew Stocking (SF), Calvin Engman (PF) David Smith, John Whited, Shane Lamarche, Isaac Schultz | |
| 17:35 | Northwestern | Calvin Engman hits a 3 from straight away on a nice dish by Christopher Combs | 44-51 |
| 17:33 | Michigan State | Boris Gorzynski is called for the illegal screen in the backcourt - foul #2 on Boris Gorzynski, team foul #2 | 44-51 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Isaac Schultz (C) Brian Gray | |
| 17:23 | Northwestern | Isaac Schultz is whistled for traveling | 44-51 |
| 17:12 | Michigan State | Stephen Harrold scores on a shot from the right block | 46-51 |
| 17:08 | Northwestern | Michael Carlos is called for the reach on Dave Fee - foul #1 on Michael Carlos, team foul #3 | 46-51 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Joe Zarate (C) Calvin Engman | |
| 16:52 | Northwestern | Michael Carlos is called for the reach on Andrew Stocking - foul #2 on Michael Carlos, team foul #4 | 46-51 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Russell Towne (PG), John Witherell (SG) Randy Sharp, Boris Gorzynski | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 16:37 | Northwestern | Isaac Schultz buries a 3pt attempt from the left corner on a great pass from Dave Fee | 46-54 |
| 16:35 | Michigan State | John Witherell is fouled in the backcourt by Dave Fee - foul #3 on Dave Fee, team foul #4 | 46-54 |
| Subs | Michigan State | John Watson (SF) Michael Carlos | |
| Subs | Northwestern | David Smith (PG), John Whited (SG), Shane Lamarche (SF), Calvin Engman (PF) Christopher Combs, Dave Fee, Andrew Stocking, Isaac Schultz | |
| 16:21 | Michigan State | Calvin Engman is called for the reach on Russell Towne - foul #2 on Calvin Engman, team foul #5 | 46-54 |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Callahan (PF), Kwakou Albarazi (C) John Mikula, Stephen Harrold | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Brian Gray (C) Joe Zarate | |
| 16:14 | Michigan State | William Callahan hits the finger roll on a great pass from Russell Towne and he's fouled by David Smith - foul #3 on David Smith, team foul #6 | 48-54 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Christopher Combs (PG) David Smith | |
| 16:14 | Michigan State | William Callahan misses the free throw | 48-54 |
| 16:14 | Northwestern | Calvin Engman snags the defensive board | 48-54 |
| 15:59 | Northwestern | William Callahan swats the short shot by Calvin Engman | 48-54 |
| 15:58 | Michigan State | John Witherell grabs the board | 48-54 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Russell Towne (fresh) 3 pts. 5 ast. SG - John Witherell (fresh) 13 pts. 3 ast. SF - John Watson (fresh) 8 pts. 4 reb. PF - William Callahan (fresh) 14 pts. 3 reb. C - Kwakou Albarazi (fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Christopher Combs (fresh) 1 ast. SG - John Whited (fresh) 5 pts. 1 ast. SF - Shane Lamarche (fairly fresh) 10 pts. 3 reb. PF - Calvin Engman (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 6 reb. C - Brian Gray (fresh) 4 pts. | |
| 15:49 | Michigan State | John Witherell hits a floater from the baseline set up by William Callahan | 50-54 |
| 15:29 | Northwestern | John Witherell steals the ball from Shane Lamarche | 50-54 |
| 15:24 | Michigan State | John Witherell throws it down | 52-54 |
| 15:04 | Northwestern | Christopher Combs misses long on a jumper from the right wing | 52-54 |
| 15:02 | Northwestern | Christopher Combs snags the offensive board | 52-54 |
| 14:57 | Northwestern | Shane Lamarche lays it up and in | 52-56 |
| 14:32 | Michigan State | John Witherell misses the shot in the lane but he's fouled by Christopher Combs - foul #3 on Christopher Combs, team foul #7 | 52-56 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Randy Sharp (PG), Michael Carlos (SF), John Mikula (PF), Stephen Harrold (C) Russell Towne, John Watson, William Callahan, Kwakou Albarazi | |
| Subs | Northwestern | David Smith (PG), Steve Ernsberger (SG), Dave Fee (SF), Isaac Schultz (PF), Joe Zarate (C) Christopher Combs, John Whited, Shane Lamarche, Calvin Engman, Brian Gray | |
| 14:32 | Michigan State | John Witherell makes the 1st free throw | 53-56 |
| 14:32 | Michigan State | John Witherell makes the 2nd free throw | 54-56 |
| 14:22 | Northwestern | Joe Zarate knocks in the driving attempt from close range | 54-58 |
| 14:07 | Michigan State | John Mikula can't connect on an uncontested turnaround from the left block | 54-58 |
| 14:06 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Isaac Schultz | 54-58 |
| 14:01 | Northwestern | Steve Ernsberger is fouled on the floor by John Witherell - foul #1 on John Witherell, team foul #5 | 54-58 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Boris Gorzynski (SG) John Witherell | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 13:53 | Northwestern | David Smith knocks in the 3 pointer from straight away set up by Isaac Schultz | 54-61 |
| 13:50 | Michigan State | Michael Carlos travels in the backcourt | 54-61 |
| 13:38 | Northwestern | Isaac Schultz is whistled for a carry | 54-61 |
| 13:36 | Michigan State | Randy Sharp is hacked by David Smith in the backcourt - foul #4 on David Smith, team foul #8 | 54-61 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Andrew Stocking (SF), Steve Emmons (C) David Smith, Joe Zarate | |
| 13:36 | Michigan State | Randy Sharp makes the 1st free throw | 55-61 |
| 13:36 | Michigan State | Randy Sharp makes the 2nd free throw | 56-61 |
| 13:16 | Northwestern | Andrew Stocking misses the 3pt shot from the left wing | 56-61 |
| 13:14 | Michigan State | Stephen Harrold pulls down the rebound | 56-61 |
| 12:54 | Michigan State | Michael Carlos double dribbles | 56-61 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Russell Towne (PG), William Callahan (PF), Kwakou Albarazi (C) Michael Carlos, John Mikula, Stephen Harrold | |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Whited (PG), Calvin Engman (PF) Dave Fee, Isaac Schultz | |
| 12:38 | Northwestern | Andrew Stocking misses badly on a 3 pointer from the right corner | 56-61 |
| 12:36 | Michigan State | Kwakou Albarazi gets the rebound | 56-61 |
| 12:20 | Michigan State | Kwakou Albarazi is by himself and knocks in the jumper in the lane set up by William Callahan | 58-61 |
| 12:04 | Northwestern | Steve Ernsberger clanks a 3 from straight away | 58-61 |
| 12:02 | Northwestern | Calvin Engman snags the offensive board | 58-61 |
| 11:53 | Northwestern | Boris Gorzynski steals it from Calvin Engman | 58-61 |
| 11:50 | Michigan State | Boris Gorzynski banks in the layup | 60-61 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Russell Towne (fresh) 3 pts. 5 ast. SG - Boris Gorzynski (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 2 stl. SF - Randy Sharp (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 2 ast. PF - William Callahan (fairly fresh) 14 pts. 3 reb. C - Kwakou Albarazi (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 3 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - John Whited (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 1 ast. SG - Steve Ernsberger (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. 3 pf. SF - Andrew Stocking (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 2 reb. PF - Calvin Engman (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 7 reb. C - Steve Emmons (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 3 reb. | |
| 11:29 | Northwestern | Steve Emmons travels with the ball | 60-61 |
| Subs | Michigan State | John Witherell (SG), John Watson (SF), John Mikula (PF), Stephen Harrold (C) Boris Gorzynski, Randy Sharp, William Callahan, Kwakou Albarazi | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Christopher Combs (PG), Shane Lamarche (SF), Isaac Schultz (PF), Joe Zarate (C) John Whited, Andrew Stocking, Calvin Engman, Steve Emmons | |
| 11:08 | Michigan State | John Mikula throws a bad pass out of bounds | 60-61 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Brian Gray (PF) Isaac Schultz | |
| 10:52 | Northwestern | Steve Ernsberger's 3 pointer is rejected by John Watson | 60-61 |
| 10:51 | Michigan State | John Watson snags the defensive board | 60-61 |
| 10:22 | Michigan State | John Watson buries a jumpshot from the free throw line set up by John Mikula | 62-61 |
| 10:10 | Northwestern | Shane Lamarche buries a fadeaway from the right block set up by Christopher Combs | 62-63 |
| 09:51 | Michigan State | John Witherell double dribbles | 62-63 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Randy Sharp (PG), William Callahan (PF), Kwakou Albarazi (C) Russell Towne, John Mikula, Stephen Harrold | |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Whited (PG), Dave Fee (SG), Isaac Schultz (PF) Christopher Combs, Steve Ernsberger, Brian Gray | |
| 09:41 | Northwestern | John Whited hits a 3pt attempt from the right wing set up by Dave Fee | 62-66 |
| 09:26 | Michigan State | John Watson is open and scores on a jumper from just outside the lane on a great pass from William Callahan | 64-66 |
| 09:08 | Northwestern | Joe Zarate clanks a shot in the lane | 64-66 |
| 09:07 | Michigan State | Kwakou Albarazi grabs the defensive rebound | 64-66 |
| 09:04 | Michigan State | Randy Sharp is fouled in the backcourt by John Whited - foul #3 on John Whited, team foul #9 | 64-66 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Boris Gorzynski (SG), Michael Carlos (SF) John Witherell, John Watson | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Calvin Engman (PF) Joe Zarate | |
| 09:04 | Michigan State | Randy Sharp makes the 1st free throw | 65-66 |
| 09:04 | Michigan State | Randy Sharp makes the 2nd free throw | 66-66 |
| 08:38 | Northwestern | John Whited hits the front of the rim on the 3pt jumper from the right wing | 66-66 |
| 08:36 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to Boris Gorzynski | 66-66 |
| 08:25 | Michigan State | Kwakou Albarazi buries a shot from the left block on a great pass from Boris Gorzynski and he's hacked by Calvin Engman - foul #3 on Calvin Engman, team foul #10 | 68-66 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Russell Towne (PG), John Mikula (PF) Randy Sharp, William Callahan | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Steve Ernsberger (SG), Andrew Stocking (SF), Steve Emmons (C) Dave Fee, Shane Lamarche, Calvin Engman | |
| 08:25 | Michigan State | Kwakou Albarazi makes the free throw | 69-66 |
| 08:17 | Northwestern | Andrew Stocking loses the ball out of bounds | 69-66 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Stephen Harrold (C) Kwakou Albarazi | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Calvin Engman (PF) Isaac Schultz | |
| 08:01 | Michigan State | Stephen Harrold banks in the wide open layup on a great pass from Russell Towne | 71-66 |
| 07:42 | Northwestern | John Whited hits a 3 from the left wing | 71-69 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Russell Towne (fresh) 3 pts. 6 ast. SG - Boris Gorzynski (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. 2 stl. SF - Michael Carlos (fresh) PF - John Mikula (fresh) 3 reb. C - Stephen Harrold (fresh) 7 pts. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - John Whited (tiring) 11 pts. 1 ast. 3 pf. SG - Steve Ernsberger (tiring) 6 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. 3 pf. SF - Andrew Stocking (fresh) 7 pts. 2 reb. PF - Calvin Engman (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 7 reb. 3 pf. C - Steve Emmons (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 3 reb. | |
| 07:22 | Michigan State | Michael Carlos knocks in the shot from the right side set up by Russell Towne | 73-69 |
| 07:16 | Northwestern | Steve Emmons buries a shot in the lane on a great pass from Andrew Stocking | 73-71 |
| 07:10 | Michigan State | John Mikula is fouled on the floor by Calvin Engman - foul #4 on Calvin Engman, team foul #11 | 73-71 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Randy Sharp (PG), John Witherell (SG), John Watson (SF) Russell Towne, Boris Gorzynski, Michael Carlos | |
| Subs | Northwestern | David Smith (PG), Christopher Combs (SG), Shane Lamarche (SF), Brian Gray (PF), Isaac Schultz (C) John Whited, Steve Ernsberger, Andrew Stocking, Calvin Engman, Steve Emmons | |
| 07:10 | Michigan State | John Mikula misses the 1st free throw | 73-71 |
| 07:10 | Michigan State | John Mikula misses the 2nd free throw | 73-71 |
| 07:10 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Isaac Schultz | 73-71 |
| 07:03 | Northwestern | David Smith is fouled on the floor by Randy Sharp - foul #2 on Randy Sharp, team foul #6 | 73-71 |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Callahan (PF) John Mikula | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 06:52 | Northwestern | Brian Gray connects on the fadeaway from the right block on a great pass from Christopher Combs and he's hacked by William Callahan - foul #2 on William Callahan, team foul #7 | 73-73 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Kwakou Albarazi (C) Stephen Harrold | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Dave Fee (SF) Shane Lamarche | |
| 06:52 | Northwestern | Brian Gray makes the free throw | 73-74 |
| 06:47 | Michigan State | John Witherell is fouled in the backcourt by Dave Fee - foul #4 on Dave Fee, team foul #12 | 73-74 |
| 06:47 | Michigan State | John Witherell makes the 1st free throw | 74-74 |
| 06:47 | Michigan State | John Witherell makes the 2nd free throw | 75-74 |
| 06:29 | Northwestern | Isaac Schultz can't connect on a 3pt jumper from the left wing | 75-74 |
| 06:28 | Michigan State | William Callahan snags the defensive board | 75-74 |
| 06:26 | Michigan State | Randy Sharp throws a bad pass out of bounds in the backcourt | 75-74 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Joe Zarate (C) Brian Gray | |
| 06:07 | Northwestern | David Smith makes the 3pt jumper from the right corner on a great pass from Dave Fee | 75-77 |
| 05:45 | Michigan State | Kwakou Albarazi knocks in the fadeaway from the right wing | 77-77 |
| 05:28 | Northwestern | Isaac Schultz comes up short on the driving attempt in the paint | 77-77 |
| 05:26 | Michigan State | John Watson gets the rebound | 77-77 |
| 05:06 | Michigan State | Kwakou Albarazi comes up short on the shot near the basket | 77-77 |
| 05:04 | Northwestern | Isaac Schultz snags the defensive board | 77-77 |
| 04:56 | Northwestern | Joe Zarate hits the front of the rim on the jumper in the paint but the foul's on Kwakou Albarazi - foul #3 on Kwakou Albarazi, team foul #8 | 77-77 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Russell Towne (PG), Boris Gorzynski (SG), Michael Carlos (SF), John Mikula (PF), Stephen Harrold (C) Randy Sharp, John Witherell, John Watson, William Callahan, Kwakou Albarazi | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Steve Ernsberger (SG), Shane Lamarche (SF), Brian Gray (PF) Christopher Combs, Dave Fee, Isaac Schultz | |
| 04:56 | Northwestern | Joe Zarate makes the 1st free throw | 77-78 |
| 04:56 | Northwestern | Joe Zarate makes the 2nd free throw | 77-79 |
| 04:40 | Michigan State | Stephen Harrold misses short on a driving attempt in the lane but he's fouled by Steve Ernsberger - foul #4 on Steve Ernsberger, team foul #13 | 77-79 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Steve Emmons (C) Joe Zarate | |
| 04:40 | Michigan State | Stephen Harrold misses the 1st free throw | 77-79 |
| 04:40 | Michigan State | Stephen Harrold makes the 2nd free throw | 78-79 |
| 04:23 | Northwestern | Steve Emmons misses long on a fadeaway from the free throw line | 78-79 |
| 04:21 | Michigan State | John Mikula grabs the board | 78-79 |
| 04:08 | Michigan State | Michael Carlos double dribbles | 78-79 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Andrew Stocking (PF) Brian Gray | |
| 03:45 | Northwestern | Steve Emmons throws a bad pass out of bounds | 78-79 |
| Subs | Michigan State | John Witherell (SG) Boris Gorzynski | |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Whited (SG), Calvin Engman (PF), Joe Zarate (C) Steve Ernsberger, Shane Lamarche, Steve Emmons | |
| 03:27 | Michigan State | John Mikula hits the finger roll | 80-79 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Russell Towne (fresh) 3 pts. 7 ast. SG - John Witherell (fresh) 21 pts. 3 ast. 2 stl. SF - Michael Carlos (fairly fresh) 2 pts. PF - John Mikula (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. C - Stephen Harrold (fresh) 8 pts. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - David Smith (tiring) 11 pts. 1 ast. 4 pf. SG - John Whited (fairly fresh) 11 pts. 1 ast. 3 pf. SF - Andrew Stocking (fresh) 7 pts. 2 reb. PF - Calvin Engman (fresh) 6 pts. 7 reb. 4 pf. C - Joe Zarate (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. | |
| 03:21 | Northwestern | Andrew Stocking is called for traveling | 80-79 |
| Subs | Michigan State | John Watson (SF), William Callahan (PF), Kwakou Albarazi (C) Michael Carlos, John Mikula, Stephen Harrold | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Isaac Schultz (C) Joe Zarate | |
| 02:59 | Michigan State | Kwakou Albarazi clanks a shot in the lane | 80-79 |
| 02:58 | Northwestern | Isaac Schultz grabs the defensive rebound | 80-79 |
| 02:54 | Northwestern | John Whited comes up short on the 3pt attempt from the right wing | 80-79 |
| 02:52 | Northwestern | Isaac Schultz tips it but misses | 80-79 |
| 02:51 | Michigan State | John Watson grabs the board | 80-79 |
| 02:37 | Michigan State | Russell Towne knocks in the 3pt shot from the left wing on a nice dish by John Watson | 83-79 |
| 02:18 | Northwestern | Andrew Stocking can't connect on a 3pt shot from straight away | 83-79 |
| 02:17 | Michigan State | Russell Towne pulls down the rebound | 83-79 |
| 02:13 | Michigan State | John Witherell clanks a jump hook near the basket | 83-79 |
| 02:12 | Michigan State | Kwakou Albarazi tips it but misses | 83-79 |
| 02:10 | Michigan State | John Watson tips it back up and in | 85-79 |
| 02:10 | Northwestern | Northwestern calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 85-79 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Christopher Combs (PG), Dave Fee (SG), Shane Lamarche (SF), Brian Gray (C) David Smith, John Whited, Andrew Stocking, Isaac Schultz | |
| 01:53 | Northwestern | Dave Fee hits the front of the rim on the 3pt shot from straight away | 85-79 |
| 01:52 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to John Watson | 85-79 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| 01:49 | Michigan State | Russell Towne is hacked by Christopher Combs in the backcourt - foul #4 on Christopher Combs, team foul #14 | 85-79 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | David Smith (PG), Steve Ernsberger (SG), Joe Zarate (C) Christopher Combs, Dave Fee, Brian Gray | |
| 01:49 | Michigan State | Russell Towne makes the 1st free throw | 86-79 |
| 01:49 | Michigan State | Russell Towne makes the 2nd free throw | 87-79 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense (uptempo) and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| 01:28 | Northwestern | Joe Zarate misses badly on a fadeaway near the basket | 87-79 |
| 01:27 | Michigan State | William Callahan gets the rebound | 87-79 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense (uptempo) and a fullcourt press (-1) | |
| 00:59 | Michigan State | Calvin Engman is called for the reach on William Callahan - foul #5 on Calvin Engman, team foul #15 | 87-79 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Brian Gray (PF) Calvin Engman | |
| 00:59 | Michigan State | William Callahan misses the 1st free throw | 87-79 |
| 00:59 | Michigan State | William Callahan misses the 2nd free throw | 87-79 |
| 00:59 | Northwestern | Brian Gray grabs the board | 87-79 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (+3) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a fullcourt press (-1) | |
| 00:53 | Northwestern | Russell Towne picks off the pass by Steve Ernsberger | 87-79 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+3) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (-1) | |
| 00:50 | Michigan State | John Watson is hacked by David Smith in the backcourt - foul #5 on David Smith, team foul #16 | 87-79 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Stephen Harrold (C) Kwakou Albarazi | |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Whited (PG) David Smith | |
| 00:50 | Michigan State | John Watson makes the 1st free throw | 88-79 |
| 00:50 | Michigan State | John Watson makes the 2nd free throw | 89-79 |
| 00:42 | Northwestern | Steve Ernsberger loses the ball out of bounds | 89-79 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Randy Sharp (PG), Boris Gorzynski (SG), Michael Carlos (SF), John Mikula (PF) Russell Towne, John Witherell, John Watson, William Callahan | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Christopher Combs (PG), Dave Fee (SF), Isaac Schultz (C) Steve Ernsberger, Shane Lamarche, Joe Zarate | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+3) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a fullcourt press (-1) | |
| 00:15 | Michigan State | Isaac Schultz steps in front of the Michael Carlos pass | 89-79 |
| 00:07 | Northwestern | Boris Gorzynski steps in front of the Dave Fee pass | 89-79 |
| 00:00 | Michigan State | Randy Sharp runs out the clock | 89-79 |