| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Samuel Wright (fresh) 12 pts. 2 ast. SG - William Manz (fresh) 8 pts. 1 ast. SF - Bill Jenkins (fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. PF - Aaron Wade (fresh) 2 reb. C - Carlos Weber (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - William Murray (fresh) 6 pts. 3 ast. SG - Jeffrey James (fresh) 2 ast. SF - Shawn Wright (fresh) 4 reb. PF - Carlos Dodson (fresh) 5 pts. 5 reb. C - William Mitchell (fresh) 6 pts. 2 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Northwestern | Bill Jenkins inbounds the ball | 30-29 |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a flex offense (slowdown) and a halfcourt press/2-3 zone (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a motion offense and a man to man (+1) | |
| 19:40 | Northwestern | Samuel Wright is bothered by a doubleteam and misses badly on a 3 from the left wing | 30-29 |
| 19:38 | Michigan State | Carlos Dodson grabs the defensive rebound | 30-29 |
| 19:27 | Michigan State | Jeffrey James is fouled on the floor by William Manz - foul #1 on William Manz, team foul #1 | 30-29 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Joseph Touchette (PG), David Blankenship (SG), Ronald Hamilton (SF), Myles Smith (PF), Robert Brown (C) William Murray, Jeffrey James, Shawn Wright, Carlos Dodson, William Mitchell | |
| 19:07 | Michigan State | David Blankenship throws a bad pass out of bounds | 30-29 |
| 18:47 | Northwestern | Samuel Wright makes the contested 3pt shot from the left wing | 33-29 |
| 18:31 | Michigan State | David Blankenship connects on the open jumper from the right wing on a nice dish by Robert Brown | 33-31 |
| 18:04 | Northwestern | Carlos Weber scores on a fadeaway from the left block set up by Samuel Wright | 35-31 |
| 17:54 | Michigan State | David Blankenship makes the 3pt jumper from the left wing set up by Robert Brown | 35-34 |
| 17:37 | Northwestern | Carlos Weber loses the ball out of bounds | 35-34 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Ronnie Graney (C) Carlos Weber | |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Murray (PG), Jeffrey James (SG), William Mitchell (C) Joseph Touchette, David Blankenship, Robert Brown | |
| 17:25 | Michigan State | Aaron Wade steps in front of the Ronald Hamilton pass | 35-34 |
| 17:06 | Northwestern | Aaron Wade splits the doubleteam but misses short on a jumpshot from just outside the lane but he's fouled by Ronald Hamilton - foul #2 on Ronald Hamilton, team foul #1 | 35-34 |
| 17:06 | Northwestern | Aaron Wade makes the 1st free throw | 36-34 |
| 17:06 | Northwestern | Aaron Wade makes the 2nd free throw | 37-34 |
| 16:50 | Michigan State | Myles Smith comes up short on the jump hook from the left block but he's hacked by Ronnie Graney - foul #1 on Ronnie Graney, team foul #2 | 37-34 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Joseph Touchette (PG), David Blankenship (SG) William Murray, Jeffrey James | |
| 16:50 | Michigan State | Myles Smith misses the 1st free throw | 37-34 |
| 16:50 | Michigan State | Myles Smith makes the 2nd free throw | 37-35 |
| 16:27 | Northwestern | William Mitchell swats the shot by Samuel Wright | 37-35 |
| 16:26 | Northwestern | Aaron Wade grabs the offensive rebound | 37-35 |
| 16:08 | Northwestern | William Mitchell steals it from Ronnie Graney | 37-35 |
| 15:53 | Michigan State | Ronald Hamilton misses long on a 3pt shot from the right corner | 37-35 |
| 15:51 | Michigan State | William Mitchell gets the offensive rebound | 37-35 |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Samuel Wright (fairly fresh) 15 pts. 3 ast. SG - William Manz (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 1 ast. SF - Bill Jenkins (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. PF - Aaron Wade (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. C - Ronnie Graney (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Joseph Touchette (fresh) 1 ast. SG - David Blankenship (fresh) 5 pts. SF - Ronald Hamilton (fairly fresh) 3 pts. PF - Myles Smith (fairly fresh) 6 pts. C - William Mitchell (fresh) 6 pts. 3 reb. | |
| 15:31 | Michigan State | Joseph Touchette hits a 3 from straight away | 37-38 |
| 15:03 | Northwestern | Ronald Hamilton takes the ball from Aaron Wade | 37-38 |
| 14:52 | Michigan State | Myles Smith throws a bad pass out of bounds | 37-38 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Carlos Weber (C) Ronnie Graney | |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Murray (PG), Jeffrey James (SG), Shawn Wright (SF), Robert Brown (C) Joseph Touchette, David Blankenship, Ronald Hamilton, William Mitchell | |
| 14:36 | Northwestern | William Manz's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 37-38 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Mitchell (C) Robert Brown | |
| 14:17 | Michigan State | Shawn Wright misses badly on a shot from the right side | 37-38 |
| 14:16 | Michigan State | Myles Smith can't tip it in | 37-38 |
| 14:15 | Michigan State | Jeffrey James grabs the offensive rebound | 37-38 |
| 13:51 | Michigan State | William Murray comes up short on the pull-up jumper from the left wing | 37-38 |
| 13:49 | Northwestern | Carlos Weber grabs the board | 37-38 |
| 13:44 | Northwestern | Samuel Wright is bothered by a doubleteam and misses badly on a 3 pointer from straight away | 37-38 |
| 13:43 | Michigan State | William Mitchell grabs the board | 37-38 |
| 13:23 | Michigan State | Aaron Wade is called for the reach on Jeffrey James - foul #3 on Aaron Wade, team foul #3 | 37-38 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Marc Breslawski (SG), Earl Mitchem (SF), Jack Robinson (PF) William Manz, Bill Jenkins, Aaron Wade | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Ronald Hamilton (SF), Carlos Dodson (PF), Robert Brown (C) Shawn Wright, Myles Smith, William Mitchell | |
| 13:18 | Michigan State | Jeffrey James is fouled on the floor by Earl Mitchem - foul #1 on Earl Mitchem, team foul #4 | 37-38 |
| 13:05 | Michigan State | William Murray is hacked by Marc Breslawski - foul #1 on Marc Breslawski, team foul #5 | 37-38 |
| Subs | Northwestern | James Quon (PG), Ronnie Graney (C) Samuel Wright, Carlos Weber | |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| 13:00 | Michigan State | Robert Brown buries a fadeaway in the lane set up by Carlos Dodson | 37-40 |
| 12:42 | Northwestern | Marc Breslawski is fouled on the floor by Jeffrey James - foul #2 on Jeffrey James, team foul #2 | 37-40 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Myles Smith (SF), William Mitchell (C) Ronald Hamilton, Robert Brown | |
| 12:25 | Northwestern | James Quon hits a 3 from the left corner set up by Jack Robinson | 40-40 |
| 12:10 | Michigan State | William Mitchell hits the front of the rim on the floater near the basket but he's hacked by Marc Breslawski - foul #2 on Marc Breslawski, team foul #6 | 40-40 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Samuel Wright (PG), Aaron Wade (PF) James Quon, Jack Robinson | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Ronald Hamilton (SF) Carlos Dodson | |
| 12:10 | Michigan State | William Mitchell makes the 1st free throw | 40-41 |
| 12:10 | Michigan State | William Mitchell makes the 2nd free throw | 40-42 |
| 11:54 | Northwestern | Samuel Wright is hacked by Myles Smith - foul #1 on Myles Smith, team foul #3 | 40-42 |
| Subs | Northwestern | William Manz (SG), Carlos Weber (C) Marc Breslawski, Ronnie Graney | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Robert Brown (C) William Mitchell | |
| 11:39 | Northwestern | Aaron Wade is fouled on the floor by Myles Smith as he's doubleteamed - foul #2 on Myles Smith, team foul #4 | 40-42 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Bill Jenkins (SF) Earl Mitchem | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Shawn Wright (SF), William Mitchell (C) Ronald Hamilton, Robert Brown | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Samuel Wright (fairly fresh) 15 pts. 3 ast. SG - William Manz (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 1 ast. SF - Bill Jenkins (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. PF - Aaron Wade (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. 3 pf. C - Carlos Weber (fresh) 2 pts. | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - William Murray (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 3 ast. SG - Jeffrey James (fairly fresh) 2 ast. SF - Shawn Wright (fresh) 4 reb. PF - Myles Smith (fairly fresh) 6 pts. C - William Mitchell (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 4 reb. | |
| 11:29 | Northwestern | Aaron Wade makes the contested jumper from the free throw line | 42-42 |
| 11:13 | Michigan State | Jeffrey James hits the front of the rim on the floater from just outside the lane but he's hacked by Bill Jenkins - foul #3 on Bill Jenkins, team foul #7 | 42-42 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Ronald Hamilton (SF), Carlos Dodson (PF), Robert Brown (C) Shawn Wright, Myles Smith, William Mitchell | |
| 11:13 | Michigan State | Jeffrey James makes the 1st free throw | 42-43 |
| 11:13 | Michigan State | Jeffrey James misses the 2nd free throw | 42-43 |
| 11:13 | Michigan State | Robert Brown grabs the offensive board | 42-43 |
| 11:01 | Michigan State | William Murray misses the lay-in | 42-43 |
| 10:59 | Michigan State | Jeffrey James grabs the offensive board | 42-43 |
| 10:54 | Michigan State | Robert Brown is by himself and knocks in the shot in the paint on a nice dish by Ronald Hamilton | 42-45 |
| 10:37 | Northwestern | Bill Jenkins comes up short on the runner from close range but he's hacked by Ronald Hamilton - foul #3 on Ronald Hamilton, team foul #5 | 42-45 |
| Subs | Northwestern | James Quon (PG), Ronnie Graney (C) Samuel Wright, Carlos Weber | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Joseph Touchette (PG), David Blankenship (SG), Shawn Wright (SF), Myles Smith (PF), William Mitchell (C) William Murray, Jeffrey James, Ronald Hamilton, Carlos Dodson, Robert Brown | |
| 10:37 | Northwestern | Bill Jenkins makes the 1st free throw | 43-45 |
| 10:37 | Northwestern | Bill Jenkins misses the 2nd free throw | 43-45 |
| 10:37 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to William Mitchell | 43-45 |
| 10:25 | Michigan State | William Mitchell buries a jump hook from close range on a nice dish by Joseph Touchette | 43-47 |
| 09:56 | Northwestern | Myles Smith swats the shot by William Manz | 43-47 |
| 09:54 | Michigan State | William Mitchell gets the rebound | 43-47 |
| 09:32 | Michigan State | William Manz is called for the reach on David Blankenship - foul #2 on William Manz, team foul #8 | 43-47 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Samuel Wright (PG), Marc Breslawski (SG), Earl Mitchem (SF), Jack Robinson (PF) James Quon, William Manz, Bill Jenkins, Aaron Wade | |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Murray (PG), Ronald Hamilton (SF), Carlos Dodson (PF), Robert Brown (C) Joseph Touchette, Shawn Wright, Myles Smith, William Mitchell | |
| 09:32 | Michigan State | David Blankenship misses the 1st free throw | 43-47 |
| 09:32 | Northwestern | Ronnie Graney gets the rebound | 43-47 |
| 09:17 | Northwestern | Robert Brown steps in front of the Ronnie Graney pass | 43-47 |
| 08:55 | Michigan State | Ronald Hamilton loses the ball out of bounds | 43-47 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Carlos Weber (C) Ronnie Graney | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Jeffrey James (SG), Myles Smith (PF), William Mitchell (C) David Blankenship, Carlos Dodson, Robert Brown | |
| 08:38 | Northwestern | Myles Smith takes the ball from Samuel Wright after a doubleteam | 43-47 |
| 08:22 | Michigan State | Marc Breslawski steals the ball from Myles Smith | 43-47 |
| 08:06 | Northwestern | Jack Robinson is open and scores on a shot from the baseline on a nice dish by a doubleteamed Samuel Wright | 45-47 |
| 07:40 | Michigan State | Ronald Hamilton drills a fadeaway jumper from the free throw line on a great pass from William Murray | 45-49 |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Samuel Wright (fairly fresh) 15 pts. 4 ast. SG - Marc Breslawski (fresh) SF - Earl Mitchem (fresh) 2 reb. PF - Jack Robinson (fresh) 6 pts. 3 reb. C - Carlos Weber (fairly fresh) 2 pts. | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - William Murray (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 4 ast. SG - Jeffrey James (fresh) 1 pts. 2 ast. SF - Ronald Hamilton (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 3 pf. PF - Myles Smith (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 2 blk. 2 stl. C - William Mitchell (fairly fresh) 10 pts. 6 reb. | |
| 07:17 | Northwestern | Jack Robinson comes up short on the fadeaway in the lane but the foul's on William Murray - foul #1 on William Murray, team foul #6 | 45-49 |
| Subs | Northwestern | James Quon (PG), William Manz (SG), Bill Jenkins (SF), Ronnie Graney (C) Samuel Wright, Marc Breslawski, Earl Mitchem, Carlos Weber | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Joseph Touchette (PG), Shawn Wright (SF), Carlos Dodson (PF), Robert Brown (C) William Murray, Ronald Hamilton, Myles Smith, William Mitchell | |
| 07:17 | Northwestern | Jack Robinson makes the 1st free throw | 46-49 |
| 07:17 | Northwestern | Jack Robinson makes the 2nd free throw | 47-49 |
| 07:08 | Michigan State | Ronnie Graney swats the dunk try by Carlos Dodson | 47-49 |
| 07:06 | Michigan State | Shawn Wright tips it in | 47-51 |
| 06:37 | Northwestern | James Quon knocks in the 3 from the left corner on a nice dish by William Manz | 50-51 |
| 06:12 | Michigan State | Robert Brown misses long on a jump hook near the basket but he's fouled by William Manz - foul #3 on William Manz, team foul #9 | 50-51 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Samuel Wright (PG), Aaron Wade (PF) James Quon, Jack Robinson | |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Murray (PG), Myles Smith (SF), William Mitchell (C) Joseph Touchette, Shawn Wright, Carlos Dodson | |
| 06:12 | Michigan State | Robert Brown misses the 1st free throw | 50-51 |
| 06:12 | Michigan State | Robert Brown makes the 2nd free throw | 50-52 |
| 05:46 | Northwestern | Bill Jenkins makes the wide open shot from just outside the lane set up by Samuel Wright out of the doubleteam | 52-52 |
| 05:33 | Michigan State | Robert Brown clanks a driving attempt from the baseline | 52-52 |
| 05:31 | Northwestern | Aaron Wade pulls down the rebound | 52-52 |
| 05:24 | Northwestern | Samuel Wright misses long on a 3pt shot from straight away | 52-52 |
| 05:23 | Michigan State | Myles Smith pulls down the rebound | 52-52 |
| 05:16 | Michigan State | Robert Brown drills a shot from the right block set up by Jeffrey James | 52-54 |
| 04:47 | Northwestern | Samuel Wright drills a fadeaway from the right side and the foul's on William Mitchell - foul #3 on William Mitchell, team foul #7 | 54-54 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Marc Breslawski (SG), Earl Mitchem (SF), Carlos Weber (C) William Manz, Bill Jenkins, Ronnie Graney | |
| Subs | Michigan State | David Blankenship (SG), Shawn Wright (SF), Carlos Dodson (PF) Jeffrey James, Myles Smith, Robert Brown | |
| 04:47 | Northwestern | Samuel Wright makes the free throw | 55-54 |
| 04:34 | Michigan State | Shawn Wright is hacked by Earl Mitchem - foul #2 on Earl Mitchem, team foul #10 | 55-54 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Joseph Touchette (PG) William Murray | |
| 04:34 | Michigan State | Shawn Wright makes the 1st free throw | 55-55 |
| 04:34 | Michigan State | Shawn Wright misses the 2nd free throw | 55-55 |
| 04:34 | Northwestern | Carlos Weber pulls down the rebound | 55-55 |
| 04:06 | Northwestern | Samuel Wright comes up short on the jumper from the left wing | 55-55 |
| 04:05 | Michigan State | Carlos Dodson snags the defensive board | 55-55 |
| 03:47 | Michigan State | David Blankenship is fouled on the floor by Marc Breslawski - foul #3 on Marc Breslawski, team foul #11 | 55-55 |
| Subs | Northwestern | James Quon (PG) Samuel Wright | |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Murray (PG), Ronald Hamilton (SF), Myles Smith (PF), Robert Brown (C) Joseph Touchette, Shawn Wright, Carlos Dodson, William Mitchell | |
| 03:47 | Michigan State | David Blankenship makes the 1st free throw | 55-56 |
| 03:47 | Michigan State | David Blankenship makes the 2nd free throw | 55-57 |
| 03:22 | Northwestern | Aaron Wade splits the doubleteam but misses short on a shot from just outside the lane | 55-57 |
| 03:20 | Northwestern | Earl Mitchem grabs the offensive rebound | 55-57 |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - James Quon (fresh) 6 pts. SG - Marc Breslawski (fresh) 3 pf. SF - Earl Mitchem (fresh) 3 reb. PF - Aaron Wade (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 4 reb. 3 pf. C - Carlos Weber (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - William Murray (fresh) 6 pts. 4 ast. SG - David Blankenship (fresh) 7 pts. SF - Ronald Hamilton (fresh) 5 pts. 3 pf. PF - Myles Smith (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 2 reb. 2 blk. 2 stl. C - Robert Brown (fresh) 11 pts. 5 reb. | |
| 03:11 | Northwestern | Aaron Wade lays it in set up by Marc Breslawski and he's fouled by David Blankenship - foul #2 on David Blankenship, team foul #8 | 57-57 |
| Subs | Northwestern | William Manz (SG), Bill Jenkins (SF), Ronnie Graney (C) Marc Breslawski, Earl Mitchem, Carlos Weber | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Jeffrey James (SG), Shawn Wright (SF), Carlos Dodson (PF), William Mitchell (C) David Blankenship, Ronald Hamilton, Myles Smith, Robert Brown | |
| 03:11 | Northwestern | Aaron Wade makes the free throw | 58-57 |
| 02:54 | Michigan State | William Murray hits a wide open fadeaway jumper from just outside the lane | 58-59 |
| 02:54 | Northwestern | Northwestern calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 58-59 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Samuel Wright (PG), Carlos Weber (C) James Quon, Ronnie Graney | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Ronald Hamilton (SF), Myles Smith (PF) Shawn Wright, Carlos Dodson | |
| 02:34 | Northwestern | Bill Jenkins's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 58-59 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Shawn Wright (SF), Carlos Dodson (PF), Robert Brown (C) Ronald Hamilton, Myles Smith, William Mitchell | |
| 02:15 | Michigan State | William Manz is called for the reach on Jeffrey James - foul #4 on William Manz, team foul #12 | 58-59 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Joseph Touchette (PG), Ronald Hamilton (SF), Myles Smith (PF), William Mitchell (C) William Murray, Shawn Wright, Carlos Dodson, Robert Brown | |
| 02:15 | Michigan State | Jeffrey James makes the 1st free throw | 58-60 |
| 02:15 | Michigan State | Jeffrey James makes the 2nd free throw | 58-61 |
| 01:51 | Northwestern | Joseph Touchette takes the ball from Bill Jenkins | 58-61 |
| 01:28 | Michigan State | Jeffrey James is open and buries a 3pt jumper from the left corner set up by Joseph Touchette | 58-64 |
| 01:13 | Northwestern | Bill Jenkins buries a pull-up jumper from the left side set up by Aaron Wade out of the doubleteam | 60-64 |
| 01:00 | Michigan State | Jeffrey James hits the front of the rim on the 3pt jumper from straight away | 60-64 |
| 00:58 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Aaron Wade | 60-64 |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a flex offense (uptempo) and a halfcourt press/2-3 zone (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a motion offense and a man to man (+2) | |
| 00:43 | Northwestern | Samuel Wright misses long on a jumper from the right block but he's fouled by Joseph Touchette - foul #1 on Joseph Touchette, team foul #9 | 60-64 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Murray (PG), Shawn Wright (SF), Carlos Dodson (PF) Joseph Touchette, Ronald Hamilton, Myles Smith | |
| 00:43 | Northwestern | Samuel Wright makes the 1st free throw | 61-64 |
| 00:43 | Northwestern | Samuel Wright makes the 2nd free throw | 62-64 |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a flex offense (uptempo) and a halfcourt press/2-3 zone (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+2) | |
| 00:14 | Michigan State | William Murray drills a jumper in the paint on a nice dish by Shawn Wright and the foul's on Samuel Wright - foul #1 on Samuel Wright, team foul #13 | 62-66 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | David Blankenship (SG) Jeffrey James | |
| 00:14 | Michigan State | William Murray makes the free throw | 62-67 |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a halfcourt press/2-3 zone (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+2) | |
| 00:06 | Northwestern | William Manz misses long on a 3pt shot from the right wing | 62-67 |
| 00:04 | Michigan State | William Mitchell gets the rebound | 62-67 |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+2) | |
| 00:01 | Michigan State | Samuel Wright is called for the reach on William Mitchell in the backcourt - foul #2 on Samuel Wright, team foul #14 | 62-67 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Jeffrey James (SG), Robert Brown (PF) Shawn Wright, Carlos Dodson | |
| 00:01 | Michigan State | William Mitchell makes the 1st free throw | 62-68 |
| 00:01 | Michigan State | William Mitchell makes the 2nd free throw | 62-69 |
| 00:00 | Northwestern | Samuel Wright clanks a halfcourt shot | 62-69 |