| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Eric Choy (fresh) 3 pts. 4 ast. SG - Stephen Jones (fresh) 5 pts. 1 ast. SF - Earl Stanton (fresh) 2 pts. PF - David Liptak (fresh) 4 pts. 3 reb. C - Frank Fossett (fresh) 9 pts. 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Corey Morris (fresh) 2 pts. SG - Jerry Petty (fresh) 7 pts. 1 ast. SF - David Myers (fresh) 7 pts. PF - Roberto Costa (fresh) 4 pts. 3 reb. C - Damien Henry (fresh) 2 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Michigan State | Earl Stanton inbounds the ball | 31-31 |
| 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 motion offense and a fullcourt press (-1) | |
| 19:43 | Michigan State | Earl Stanton drills a 3pt jumper from the left wing set up by Stephen Jones | 34-31 |
| 19:19 | Northwestern | David Myers hits a 3 pointer from straight away on a great pass from Jerry Petty | 34-34 |
| 19:05 | Michigan State | Eric Choy connects on the jumpshot from the left side on a nice dish by Stephen Jones | 36-34 |
| 18:47 | Northwestern | Corey Morris misses long on a jumper from the right side | 36-34 |
| 18:45 | Michigan State | Stephen Jones snags the defensive board | 36-34 |
| 18:17 | Michigan State | David Myers steps in front of the Frank Fossett pass | 36-34 |
| 18:13 | Northwestern | Jerry Petty banks in the layup on a nice dish by David Myers | 36-36 |
| 18:10 | Michigan State | Roberto Costa picks off the pass by Stephen Jones in the backcourt | 36-36 |
| 17:56 | Northwestern | David Myers misses the 3 pointer from the right wing | 36-36 |
| 17:55 | Northwestern | Roberto Costa grabs the offensive rebound | 36-36 |
| 17:30 | Northwestern | Corey Morris knocks in the jumpshot from the left side | 36-38 |
| 17:08 | Michigan State | Frank Fossett comes up short on the driving attempt from the baseline but the foul's on Jerry Petty - foul #2 on Jerry Petty, team foul #1 | 36-38 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Dave Welsh (PG), Russell Barnes (SG), Allen Turnage (PF) Eric Choy, Stephen Jones, David Liptak | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Michael Woodson (PG), Roy Vines (SG), Dallas Hurst (SF) Corey Morris, Jerry Petty, David Myers | |
| 17:08 | Michigan State | Frank Fossett makes the 1st free throw | 37-38 |
| 17:08 | Michigan State | Frank Fossett makes the 2nd free throw | 38-38 |
| 16:52 | Northwestern | Roberto Costa misses long on a jump hook from the left block but he's fouled by Russell Barnes - foul #2 on Russell Barnes, team foul #1 | 38-38 |
| 16:52 | Northwestern | Roberto Costa makes the 1st free throw | 38-39 |
| 16:52 | Northwestern | Roberto Costa misses the 2nd free throw | 38-39 |
| 16:52 | Michigan State | Allen Turnage grabs the defensive rebound | 38-39 |
| 16:50 | Michigan State | Earl Stanton is hacked by Michael Woodson in the backcourt - foul #2 on Michael Woodson, team foul #2 | 38-39 |
| 16:24 | Michigan State | Earl Stanton clanks a jumpshot from the right side | 38-39 |
| 16:22 | Northwestern | Dallas Hurst pulls down the rebound | 38-39 |
| 15:57 | Northwestern | Earl Stanton is called for the reach on Roberto Costa - foul #1 on Earl Stanton, team foul #2 | 38-39 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Stephen Jones (SG), David Liptak (PF) Earl Stanton, Frank Fossett | |
| Subs | Northwestern | David Myers (SF), Adam Griffin (C) Dallas Hurst, Damien Henry | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Dave Welsh (fresh) 4 pts. 2 ast. SG - Stephen Jones (fresh) 5 pts. 3 ast. SF - Russell Barnes (fresh) PF - David Liptak (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 3 reb. C - Allen Turnage (fresh) 4 pts. 6 reb. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Michael Woodson (fresh) SG - Roy Vines (fresh) 1 ast. SF - David Myers (fresh) 10 pts. 1 ast. 2 stl. PF - Roberto Costa (tiring) 5 pts. 4 reb. C - Adam Griffin (fresh) 3 pts. 3 reb. 3 pf. | |
| 15:45 | Northwestern | Roy Vines misses short on a turnaround in the lane | 38-39 |
| 15:43 | Michigan State | Stephen Jones pulls down the rebound | 38-39 |
| 15:28 | Michigan State | Russell Barnes is denied on a layup by David Myers | 38-39 |
| 15:27 | Northwestern | David Myers pulls down the rebound | 38-39 |
| 15:07 | Northwestern | Allen Turnage swats the short shot by Roberto Costa | 38-39 |
| 15:06 | Northwestern | Roberto Costa pulls down the offensive rebound | 38-39 |
| 14:58 | Northwestern | Michael Woodson's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 38-39 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Eric Choy (PG), Earl Stanton (SF), Frank Fossett (C) Dave Welsh, Russell Barnes, Allen Turnage | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Corey Morris (PG), Jerry Petty (SG) Michael Woodson, Roy Vines | |
| 14:29 | Michigan State | Eric Choy hits the front of the rim on the runner from the left block | 38-39 |
| 14:28 | Michigan State | Earl Stanton grabs the offensive rebound | 38-39 |
| 14:11 | Michigan State | Eric Choy buries a shot from the left side on a great pass from Stephen Jones | 40-39 |
| 13:59 | Northwestern | David Myers is whistled for traveling | 40-39 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Allen Turnage (PF) David Liptak | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Dallas Hurst (SF) David Myers | |
| 13:34 | Michigan State | Stephen Jones hits the front of the rim on the 3 from the left wing | 40-39 |
| 13:32 | Northwestern | Roberto Costa grabs the board | 40-39 |
| 13:11 | Northwestern | Corey Morris knocks in the shot from the left wing and the foul's on Stephen Jones - foul #1 on Stephen Jones, team foul #3 | 40-41 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Dave Welsh (SG), David Liptak (PF) Stephen Jones, Frank Fossett | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Roy Vines (SG), Damien Henry (PF) Jerry Petty, Roberto Costa | |
| 13:11 | Northwestern | Corey Morris makes the free throw | 40-42 |
| 12:42 | Michigan State | Eric Choy buries a jumper from the left side set up by Earl Stanton | 42-42 |
| 12:26 | Northwestern | Damien Henry misses the floater from just outside the lane | 42-42 |
| 12:25 | Northwestern | Damien Henry grabs the offensive board | 42-42 |
| 12:12 | Northwestern | Damien Henry hits the finger roll on a great pass from Corey Morris | 42-44 |
| 11:45 | Michigan State | Allen Turnage drills a turnaround from close range set up by Eric Choy | 44-44 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Eric Choy (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 5 ast. SG - Dave Welsh (fresh) 4 pts. 2 ast. SF - Earl Stanton (tiring) 5 pts. PF - David Liptak (tiring) 4 pts. 3 reb. C - Allen Turnage (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 6 reb. 3 blk. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Corey Morris (tiring) 7 pts. 1 ast. SG - Roy Vines (fairly fresh) 1 ast. SF - Dallas Hurst (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 6 reb. PF - Damien Henry (tiring) 2 pts. 3 reb. C - Adam Griffin (tiring) 3 pts. 3 reb. 3 pf. | |
| 11:29 | Northwestern | Adam Griffin connects on the jumpshot from just outside the lane on a nice dish by Corey Morris | 44-46 |
| 11:27 | Michigan State | Corey Morris takes the ball from Dave Welsh in the backcourt | 44-46 |
| 11:25 | Northwestern | Dallas Hurst slams it home on a nice dish by Corey Morris | 44-48 |
| 10:56 | Michigan State | Earl Stanton is wide open but clanks a 3 pointer from the left corner | 44-48 |
| 10:55 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Adam Griffin | 44-48 |
| 10:41 | Northwestern | Dallas Hurst misses the easy layup but he's hacked by Earl Stanton - foul #2 on Earl Stanton, team foul #4 | 44-48 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Stephen Jones (SG), Russell Barnes (SF), Frank Fossett (C) Eric Choy, Earl Stanton, David Liptak | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Michael Woodson (PG), Jerry Petty (SG), David Myers (SF), Roberto Costa (PF) Corey Morris, Roy Vines, Damien Henry, Adam Griffin | |
| 10:41 | Northwestern | Dallas Hurst makes the 1st free throw | 44-49 |
| 10:41 | Northwestern | Dallas Hurst makes the 2nd free throw | 44-50 |
| 10:25 | Michigan State | Russell Barnes connects on the shot from the left side on a nice dish by Stephen Jones | 46-50 |
| 09:57 | Northwestern | Allen Turnage takes the ball from Michael Woodson | 46-50 |
| 09:53 | Michigan State | Stephen Jones throws a bad pass out of bounds in the backcourt | 46-50 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Eric Choy (PG), David Liptak (PF) Dave Welsh, Allen Turnage | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Adam Griffin (C) Dallas Hurst | |
| 09:44 | Northwestern | Michael Woodson connects on the driving attempt in the paint and the foul's on Eric Choy - foul #1 on Eric Choy, team foul #5 | 46-52 |
| 09:44 | Northwestern | Michael Woodson makes the free throw | 46-53 |
| 09:18 | Michigan State | Stephen Jones connects on the jumpshot from the left wing on a great pass from Frank Fossett | 48-53 |
| 09:08 | Northwestern | Jerry Petty hits the front of the rim on the jumper from the right side | 48-53 |
| 09:07 | Michigan State | Eric Choy grabs the defensive rebound | 48-53 |
| 09:04 | Michigan State | David Myers is called for the reach on Russell Barnes in the backcourt - foul #3 on David Myers, team foul #3 | 48-53 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Earl Stanton (SF) Russell Barnes | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Roy Vines (PG) Michael Woodson | |
| 08:51 | Michigan State | Jerry Petty takes the ball from Stephen Jones | 48-53 |
| 08:32 | Northwestern | Adam Griffin comes up short on the pull-up jumper from the right side | 48-53 |
| 08:30 | Michigan State | Frank Fossett grabs the defensive rebound | 48-53 |
| 08:06 | Michigan State | Stephen Jones hits a wide open pull-up jumper from the right wing set up by Earl Stanton | 50-53 |
| 07:51 | Northwestern | Adam Griffin hits the front of the rim on the fadeaway jumper from the left side | 50-53 |
| 07:49 | Northwestern | Roberto Costa snags the offensive board | 50-53 |
| 07:35 | Northwestern | Roy Vines misses short on a fadeaway from the free throw line | 50-53 |
| 07:34 | Michigan State | Frank Fossett snags the defensive board | 50-53 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Eric Choy (tiring) 9 pts. 5 ast. SG - Stephen Jones (tiring) 9 pts. 5 ast. SF - Earl Stanton (fairly fresh) 5 pts. PF - David Liptak (tired) 4 pts. 3 reb. C - Frank Fossett (tiring) 11 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Roy Vines (fairly fresh) 1 ast. SG - Jerry Petty (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SF - David Myers (fairly fresh) 10 pts. 1 ast. 2 stl. 3 pf. PF - Roberto Costa (tired) 5 pts. 7 reb. C - Adam Griffin (tired) 5 pts. 4 reb. 3 pf. | |
| 07:14 | Michigan State | David Liptak is called for traveling | 50-53 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Dave Welsh (PG), Russell Barnes (SG), Allen Turnage (PF) Eric Choy, Stephen Jones, David Liptak | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Michael Woodson (PG), Damien Henry (PF) Roy Vines, Roberto Costa | |
| 06:55 | Northwestern | Michael Woodson is fouled on the floor by Dave Welsh - foul #2 on Dave Welsh, team foul #6 | 50-53 |
| 06:47 | Northwestern | Adam Griffin knocks in the fadeaway jumper from the left wing on a great pass from Jerry Petty | 50-55 |
| 06:30 | Michigan State | Earl Stanton misses badly on a fadeaway from the free throw line | 50-55 |
| 06:28 | Northwestern | David Myers grabs the defensive rebound | 50-55 |
| 06:14 | Northwestern | Michael Woodson makes the jumper from just outside the lane set up by Jerry Petty | 50-57 |
| 05:54 | Michigan State | Allen Turnage jams it set up by Russell Barnes | 52-57 |
| 05:35 | Northwestern | Damien Henry buries a fadeaway jumper from the left side | 52-59 |
| 05:11 | Michigan State | Dave Welsh hits the front of the rim on the wide open 3pt jumper from the right corner | 52-59 |
| 05:09 | Michigan State | Frank Fossett snags the offensive board | 52-59 |
| 04:53 | Michigan State | Michael Woodson picks off the pass by Allen Turnage | 52-59 |
| 04:39 | Northwestern | Jerry Petty misses the jumpshot from the left wing | 52-59 |
| 04:38 | Michigan State | Allen Turnage grabs the defensive rebound | 52-59 |
| 04:17 | Michigan State | Michael Woodson steps in front of the Allen Turnage pass | 52-59 |
| 04:13 | Northwestern | David Myers blows the layup | 52-59 |
| 04:12 | Michigan State | Dave Welsh grabs the defensive rebound | 52-59 |
| 03:49 | Michigan State | Russell Barnes is fouled on the floor by Damien Henry - foul #3 on Damien Henry, team foul #4 | 52-59 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Eric Choy (PG), Stephen Jones (SG), David Liptak (PF) Russell Barnes, Earl Stanton, Frank Fossett | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Corey Morris (PG), Roy Vines (SG), Dallas Hurst (SF), Roberto Costa (PF) Michael Woodson, Jerry Petty, David Myers, Adam Griffin | |
| 03:20 | Michigan State | Eric Choy misses short on a floater from the left side but the foul's on Damien Henry - foul #4 on Damien Henry, team foul #5 | 52-59 |
| 03:20 | Michigan State | Eric Choy makes the 1st free throw | 53-59 |
| 03:20 | Michigan State | Eric Choy makes the 2nd free throw | 54-59 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Eric Choy (fairly fresh) 11 pts. 5 ast. SG - Stephen Jones (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 5 ast. SF - Dave Welsh (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 2 ast. PF - David Liptak (tiring) 4 pts. 3 reb. C - Allen Turnage (tiring) 8 pts. 7 reb. 3 blk. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Corey Morris (fresh) 7 pts. 3 ast. SG - Roy Vines (fresh) 1 ast. SF - Dallas Hurst (fresh) 12 pts. 6 reb. PF - Roberto Costa (tiring) 5 pts. 7 reb. C - Damien Henry (tired) 4 pts. 3 reb. 4 pf. | |
| 03:02 | Northwestern | Roberto Costa misses long on a fadeaway from the right wing but he's hacked by Allen Turnage - foul #3 on Allen Turnage, team foul #7 | 54-59 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | David Myers (SF) Damien Henry | |
| 03:02 | Northwestern | Roberto Costa makes the 1st free throw | 54-60 |
| 03:02 | Northwestern | Roberto Costa makes the 2nd free throw | 54-61 |
| 02:40 | Michigan State | Dave Welsh hits the front of the rim on the 3pt jumper from the left wing | 54-61 |
| 02:38 | Northwestern | Roy Vines gets the rebound | 54-61 |
| 02:19 | Northwestern | David Myers is hacked by Eric Choy - foul #2 on Eric Choy, team foul #8 | 54-61 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Earl Stanton (SF) Dave Welsh | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 02:19 | Northwestern | David Myers makes the 1st free throw | 54-62 |
| 02:19 | Northwestern | David Myers misses the 2nd free throw | 54-62 |
| 02:19 | Michigan State | Earl Stanton gets the rebound | 54-62 |
| 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 motion offense and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| 01:52 | Michigan State | David Liptak connects on the fadeaway jumper from the left side | 56-62 |
| 01:38 | Northwestern | Roy Vines can't connect on a jumpshot from just outside the lane | 56-62 |
| 01:37 | Michigan State | Earl Stanton pulls down the rebound | 56-62 |
| 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 motion offense and a fullcourt press (-1) | |
| 01:19 | Michigan State | Corey Morris picks off the pass by Earl Stanton | 56-62 |
| 01:00 | Northwestern | David Myers makes the 3pt shot from the left corner on a nice dish by Roy Vines | 56-65 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a motion offense and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| 00:56 | Michigan State | Earl Stanton is by himself and knocks in the 3 from the left wing on a nice dish by David Liptak | 59-65 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| 00:54 | Northwestern | Stephen Jones is called for the reach on Roy Vines in the backcourt - foul #2 on Stephen Jones, team foul #9 | 59-65 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Frank Fossett (C) Allen Turnage | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jerry Petty (SG), Adam Griffin (C) Corey Morris, Dallas Hurst | |
| 00:54 | Northwestern | Northwestern calls a full timeout (2 :30 2 full remaining) | 59-65 |
| 00:54 | Northwestern | Roy Vines makes the 1st free throw | 59-66 |
| 00:54 | Northwestern | Roy Vines makes the 2nd free throw | 59-67 |
| 00:48 | Michigan State | Earl Stanton misses badly on a 3pt jumper from the right corner | 59-67 |
| 00:46 | Michigan State | Frank Fossett snags the offensive board | 59-67 |
| 00:44 | Michigan State | Earl Stanton makes the 3 from the left corner set up by Stephen Jones | 62-67 |
| 00:43 | Northwestern | Eric Choy is called for the reach on Jerry Petty in the backcourt - foul #3 on Eric Choy, team foul #10 | 62-67 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Corey Morris (PG) Roy Vines | |
| 00:43 | Northwestern | Jerry Petty misses the 1st free throw | 62-67 |
| 00:43 | Northwestern | Jerry Petty makes the 2nd free throw | 62-68 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (-1) | |
| 00:36 | Michigan State | Stephen Jones jams it set up by Eric Choy | 64-68 |
| 00:35 | Northwestern | Adam Griffin is hacked by Eric Choy in the backcourt - foul #4 on Eric Choy, team foul #11 | 64-68 |
| 00:35 | Northwestern | Adam Griffin makes the 1st free throw | 64-69 |
| 00:35 | Northwestern | Adam Griffin misses the 2nd free throw | 64-69 |
| 00:35 | Michigan State | David Liptak snags the defensive board | 64-69 |
| 00:28 | Michigan State | Adam Griffin is called for the reach on Stephen Jones - foul #4 on Adam Griffin, team foul #6 | 64-69 |
| 00:25 | Michigan State | Stephen Jones buries a 3 pointer from straight away set up by Earl Stanton | 67-69 |
| 00:23 | Northwestern | Stephen Jones is called for the reach on Adam Griffin in the backcourt - foul #3 on Stephen Jones, team foul #12 | 67-69 |
| 00:23 | Northwestern | Adam Griffin makes the 1st free throw | 67-70 |
| 00:23 | Northwestern | Adam Griffin makes the 2nd free throw | 67-71 |
| 00:16 | Michigan State | Stephen Jones clanks a 3 from the right wing | 67-71 |
| 00:14 | Michigan State | Eric Choy gets the offensive rebound | 67-71 |
| 00:10 | Michigan State | Earl Stanton misses long on an open 3 pointer from the left corner | 67-71 |
| 00:08 | Michigan State | Earl Stanton grabs the offensive board | 67-71 |
| 00:05 | Michigan State | Stephen Jones hits a wide open 3pt shot from the left corner on a great pass from Earl Stanton | 70-71 |
| 00:02 | Northwestern | Eric Choy is called for the reach on David Myers in the backcourt - foul #5 on Eric Choy, team foul #13 | 70-71 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Dave Welsh (PG) Eric Choy | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 00:02 | Northwestern | Northwestern calls a full timeout (2 :30 1 full remaining) | 70-71 |
| 00:02 | Northwestern | David Myers makes the 1st free throw | 70-72 |
| 00:02 | Northwestern | David Myers makes the 2nd free throw | 70-73 |
| 00:02 | Michigan State | Michigan State calls a :30 timeout (1 :30 4 full remaining) | 70-73 |
| 00:00 | Michigan State | Stephen Jones misses the halfcourt shot | 70-73 |