| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Bert Lyon (fresh) 2 ast. SG - Herman Simmons (fresh) 3 pts. SF - Sean Basham (fresh) 9 pts. 2 reb. PF - James Spurlin (fresh) 6 pts. C - Carl McClure (fresh) 2 pts. 5 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - John Soliz (fresh) 6 pts. 2 ast. SG - William Nichols (fresh) 2 pts. 3 ast. SF - Boris Pinkowski (fresh) 7 pts. PF - Brian Wilkinson (fresh) 5 pts. 3 reb. C - Dennis Murray (fresh) 4 pts. 3 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Ohio State | Sean Basham inbounds the ball | 20-29 |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a 3-2 zone (-1) | |
| 19:38 | Ohio State | James Spurlin travels with the ball | 20-29 |
| 19:17 | Illinois | William Nichols is fouled on the floor by Herman Simmons - foul #2 on Herman Simmons, team foul #1 | 20-29 |
| 18:56 | Illinois | Bert Lyon steps in front of the John Soliz pass | 20-29 |
| 18:32 | Ohio State | Brian Wilkinson is called for the reach on Herman Simmons - foul #1 on Brian Wilkinson, team foul #1 | 20-29 |
| 18:12 | Ohio State | Carl McClure clanks a runner from the baseline | 20-29 |
| 18:11 | Ohio State | Sean Basham tips it home | 22-29 |
| 17:54 | Illinois | Boris Pinkowski loses the dribble to Herman Simmons | 22-29 |
| 17:49 | Ohio State | Sean Basham hits the finger roll on a great pass from Herman Simmons | 24-29 |
| 17:35 | Illinois | Dennis Murray drills a runner in the paint set up by John Soliz | 24-31 |
| 17:21 | Ohio State | Herman Simmons clanks a 3 pointer from the right corner | 24-31 |
| 17:20 | Ohio State | Sean Basham pulls down the offensive rebound | 24-31 |
| 16:58 | Ohio State | John Soliz is called for the reach on Bert Lyon - foul #2 on John Soliz, team foul #2 | 24-31 |
| 16:30 | Ohio State | Herman Simmons makes the 3pt attempt from the right corner on a nice dish by Bert Lyon | 27-31 |
| 16:11 | Illinois | William Nichols is fouled on the floor by Herman Simmons - foul #3 on Herman Simmons, team foul #2 | 27-31 |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| Subs | Illinois | Thomas Ikard (SG), Michael Baker (PF) William Nichols, Boris Pinkowski | |
| 15:46 | Illinois | Dennis Murray hits the front of the rim on the fadeaway from the right block | 27-31 |
| 15:45 | Ohio State | James Spurlin pulls down the rebound | 27-31 |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Bert Lyon (fresh) 3 ast. SG - Herman Simmons (fresh) 6 pts. 1 ast. 3 pf. SF - Sean Basham (fresh) 13 pts. 4 reb. PF - James Spurlin (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 2 reb. C - Carl McClure (fresh) 2 pts. 5 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - John Soliz (fresh) 6 pts. 3 ast. SG - Thomas Ikard (fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. SF - Brian Wilkinson (fresh) 5 pts. 3 reb. PF - Michael Baker (fresh) 2 pts. C - Dennis Murray (fresh) 6 pts. 3 reb. | |
| 15:24 | Ohio State | James Spurlin makes the pull-up jumper from the free throw line on a great pass from Sean Basham | 29-31 |
| 15:10 | Illinois | John Soliz makes the jumpshot from the right wing on a nice dish by Thomas Ikard and he's hacked by James Spurlin - foul #2 on James Spurlin, team foul #3 | 29-33 |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| Subs | Illinois | William Nichols (SG), Boris Pinkowski (SF), David Brister (C) Thomas Ikard, Brian Wilkinson, Dennis Murray | |
| 15:10 | Illinois | John Soliz makes the free throw | 29-34 |
| 14:44 | Ohio State | Bert Lyon can't connect on a fadeaway jumper from the left side but the foul's on William Nichols - foul #1 on William Nichols, team foul #3 | 29-34 |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| Subs | Illinois | Thomas Ikard (PG) John Soliz | |
| 14:44 | Ohio State | Bert Lyon makes the 1st free throw | 30-34 |
| 14:44 | Ohio State | Bert Lyon makes the 2nd free throw | 31-34 |
| 14:17 | Illinois | William Nichols's floater is knocked away by James Spurlin | 31-34 |
| 14:16 | Ohio State | Sean Basham snags the defensive board | 31-34 |
| 14:01 | Ohio State | Sean Basham splits the doubleteam but misses short on a floater from the left side | 31-34 |
| 13:59 | Illinois | David Brister pulls down the rebound | 31-34 |
| 13:33 | Illinois | Bert Lyon is called for the reach on Boris Pinkowski - foul #2 on Bert Lyon, team foul #4 | 31-34 |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| Subs | Illinois | John Soliz (PG), Brian Wilkinson (PF), Dennis Murray (C) Thomas Ikard, Michael Baker, David Brister | |
| 13:10 | Illinois | Brian Wilkinson misses long on a driving attempt from the right block but he's fouled by Herman Simmons - foul #4 on Herman Simmons, team foul #5 | 31-34 |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| Subs | Illinois | Thomas Ikard (SG) William Nichols | |
| 13:10 | Illinois | Brian Wilkinson makes the 1st free throw | 31-35 |
| 13:10 | Illinois | Brian Wilkinson makes the 2nd free throw | 31-36 |
| 12:48 | Ohio State | Herman Simmons scores on a 3pt jumper from the right wing | 34-36 |
| 12:19 | Illinois | John Soliz makes the 3pt shot from straight away on a great pass from Boris Pinkowski | 34-39 |
| 11:54 | Ohio State | Bert Lyon's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 34-39 |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| Subs | Illinois | William Nichols (SG), Michael Baker (PF) Thomas Ikard, Boris Pinkowski | |
| 11:29 | Illinois | Dennis Murray misses the jumpshot from the right wing but he's fouled by Carl McClure - foul #1 on Carl McClure, team foul #6 | 34-39 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Rodney Sikes (PF) James Spurlin | |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| 11:29 | Illinois | Dennis Murray makes the 1st free throw | 34-40 |
| 11:29 | Illinois | Dennis Murray makes the 2nd free throw | 34-41 |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Bert Lyon (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 3 ast. SG - Herman Simmons (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 1 ast. 4 pf. SF - Sean Basham (fairly fresh) 13 pts. 5 reb. PF - Rodney Sikes (fresh) C - Carl McClure (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 5 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - John Soliz (fresh) 12 pts. 3 ast. SG - William Nichols (fresh) 2 pts. 3 ast. SF - Brian Wilkinson (fresh) 7 pts. 3 reb. PF - Michael Baker (fresh) 2 pts. C - Dennis Murray (fresh) 8 pts. 3 reb. | |
| 11:12 | Ohio State | Bert Lyon misses badly on a fadeaway jumper from the free throw line | 34-41 |
| 11:11 | Ohio State | Sean Basham tips it back up and in | 36-41 |
| 10:53 | Illinois | Brian Wilkinson connects on the fadeaway in the paint on a great pass from William Nichols | 36-43 |
| 10:34 | Ohio State | Herman Simmons misses long on a 3pt shot from the right wing | 36-43 |
| 10:33 | Illinois | Brian Wilkinson snags the defensive board | 36-43 |
| 10:12 | Illinois | John Soliz knocks in the shot from the left wing on a great pass from William Nichols | 36-45 |
| 09:43 | Ohio State | Bert Lyon misses badly on a shot from the left block but he's fouled by Brian Wilkinson - foul #2 on Brian Wilkinson, team foul #4 | 36-45 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Christian Lawrence (SG), James Spurlin (C) Herman Simmons, Carl McClure | |
| Subs | Illinois | Boris Pinkowski (SF) Brian Wilkinson | |
| 09:43 | Ohio State | Bert Lyon makes the 1st free throw | 37-45 |
| 09:43 | Ohio State | Bert Lyon makes the 2nd free throw | 38-45 |
| 09:19 | Illinois | William Nichols is whistled for traveling | 38-45 |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| Subs | Illinois | Thomas Ikard (PG) John Soliz | |
| 08:51 | Ohio State | Bert Lyon misses long on a fadeaway from the left side | 38-45 |
| 08:50 | Ohio State | Bert Lyon tips it home | 40-45 |
| 08:26 | Illinois | Michael Baker misses short on a jump hook from the left block but the foul's on Rodney Sikes - foul #2 on Rodney Sikes, team foul #7 | 40-45 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Herman Simmons (SG), Carl McClure (C) Bert Lyon, Rodney Sikes | |
| Subs | Illinois | John Soliz (PG), David Brister (C) William Nichols, Dennis Murray | |
| 08:26 | Illinois | Michael Baker makes the 1st free throw | 40-46 |
| 08:26 | Illinois | Michael Baker misses the 2nd free throw | 40-46 |
| 08:26 | Ohio State | Carl McClure snags the defensive board | 40-46 |
| 07:58 | Ohio State | Carl McClure makes the shot from the baseline set up by Christian Lawrence and the foul's on Michael Baker - foul #3 on Michael Baker, team foul #5 | 42-46 |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| Subs | Illinois | Brian Wilkinson (PF) Michael Baker | |
| 07:58 | Ohio State | Carl McClure makes the free throw | 43-46 |
| 07:32 | Illinois | John Soliz hits the front of the rim on the jumpshot from just outside the lane | 43-46 |
| 07:30 | Illinois | David Brister tips it but misses | 43-46 |
| 07:28 | Ohio State | The rebound goes to Sean Basham | 43-46 |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Christian Lawrence (fresh) 1 ast. SG - Herman Simmons (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 1 ast. 4 pf. SF - Sean Basham (fairly fresh) 15 pts. 7 reb. PF - James Spurlin (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 2 reb. C - Carl McClure (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 6 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - John Soliz (fresh) 14 pts. 3 ast. SG - Thomas Ikard (fresh) 3 pts. 2 ast. SF - Boris Pinkowski (fresh) 7 pts. PF - Brian Wilkinson (fresh) 9 pts. 4 reb. C - David Brister (fresh) 3 reb. | |
| 07:01 | Ohio State | Sean Basham evades the doubleteam but misses long on a pull-up jumper from just outside the lane but the foul's on Boris Pinkowski - foul #1 on Boris Pinkowski, team foul #6 | 43-46 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Bert Lyon (PG) Christian Lawrence | |
| Subs | Illinois | William Nichols (SG), Dennis Murray (C) Thomas Ikard, David Brister | |
| 07:01 | Ohio State | Sean Basham makes the 1st free throw | 44-46 |
| 07:01 | Ohio State | Sean Basham makes the 2nd free throw | 45-46 |
| 06:32 | Illinois | John Soliz is hacked by Bert Lyon - foul #3 on Bert Lyon, team foul #8 | 45-46 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Jonathon McGlamery (SF), Rodney Sikes (PF) Sean Basham, James Spurlin | |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| 06:32 | Illinois | John Soliz makes the 1st free throw | 45-47 |
| 06:32 | Illinois | John Soliz makes the 2nd free throw | 45-48 |
| 06:07 | Ohio State | Jonathon McGlamery hits the front of the rim on the 3pt jumper from the left corner | 45-48 |
| 06:06 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Brian Wilkinson | 45-48 |
| 05:38 | Illinois | Dennis Murray scores on a driving attempt near the basket set up by Boris Pinkowski | 45-50 |
| 05:10 | Ohio State | Herman Simmons's pass is intercepted by John Soliz | 45-50 |
| 05:05 | Illinois | John Soliz can't finish the layup | 45-50 |
| 05:04 | Ohio State | The rebound goes to Herman Simmons | 45-50 |
| 04:44 | Ohio State | Boris Pinkowski swats the layup by Carl McClure | 45-50 |
| 04:42 | Ohio State | The offensive rebound goes to Jonathon McGlamery | 45-50 |
| 04:20 | Ohio State | Bert Lyon makes the wide open 3pt attempt from the right corner on a nice dish by Jonathon McGlamery | 48-50 |
| 04:05 | Illinois | William Nichols knocks in the 3pt jumper from the right corner set up by Brian Wilkinson | 48-53 |
| 04:05 | Ohio State | Ohio State calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 48-53 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Sean Basham (SF), James Spurlin (PF) Jonathon McGlamery, Rodney Sikes | |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| 03:45 | Ohio State | Bert Lyon knocks in the shot from just outside the lane on a nice dish by James Spurlin | 50-53 |
| 03:28 | Illinois | Brian Wilkinson misses the dunk attempt | 50-53 |
| 03:26 | Ohio State | Carl McClure gets the rebound | 50-53 |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Bert Lyon (fairly fresh) 11 pts. 3 ast. 3 pf. SG - Herman Simmons (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 1 ast. 4 pf. SF - Sean Basham (fresh) 17 pts. 7 reb. PF - James Spurlin (fresh) 8 pts. 2 reb. C - Carl McClure (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 7 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - John Soliz (fresh) 16 pts. 3 ast. SG - William Nichols (fresh) 5 pts. 5 ast. SF - Boris Pinkowski (fresh) 7 pts. PF - Brian Wilkinson (fresh) 9 pts. 5 reb. C - Dennis Murray (fresh) 10 pts. 3 reb. | |
| 03:05 | Ohio State | Sean Basham shoots over the doubleteam but comes up short on the jumper from the left wing but the foul's on Boris Pinkowski - foul #2 on Boris Pinkowski, team foul #7 | 50-53 |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| Subs | Illinois | Michael Baker (PF) Boris Pinkowski | |
| 03:05 | Ohio State | Sean Basham makes the 1st free throw | 51-53 |
| 03:05 | Ohio State | Sean Basham misses the 2nd free throw | 51-53 |
| 03:05 | Illinois | Brian Wilkinson gets the rebound | 51-53 |
| 02:49 | Illinois | Brian Wilkinson hits a pull-up jumper from the free throw line | 51-55 |
| 02:23 | Ohio State | William Nichols is called for the reach on James Spurlin - foul #2 on William Nichols, team foul #8 | 51-55 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Rodney Sikes (PF) Carl McClure | |
| Subs | Illinois | Thomas Ikard (SG) William Nichols | |
| 02:23 | Ohio State | James Spurlin misses the 1st free throw | 51-55 |
| 02:23 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Michael Baker | 51-55 |
| 02:23 | Illinois | Illinois calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 51-55 |
| 02:10 | Illinois | John Soliz misses short on a 3pt attempt from the right wing | 51-55 |
| 02:08 | Ohio State | Sean Basham grabs the board | 51-55 |
| 01:48 | Ohio State | Sean Basham works out of a doubleteam and scores on a shot from the left wing on a nice dish by Bert Lyon | 53-55 |
| 01:48 | Illinois | Illinois calls a full timeout (2 :30 2 full remaining) | 53-55 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Carl McClure (C) Rodney Sikes | |
| Subs | Illinois | William Nichols (SG), Boris Pinkowski (SF) Thomas Ikard, Michael Baker | |
| 01:28 | Illinois | John Soliz's floater is knocked away by Carl McClure | 53-55 |
| 01:27 | Illinois | The offensive rebound goes to John Soliz | 53-55 |
| 01:11 | Illinois | John Soliz scores on a 3 from the left wing | 53-58 |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a 3-2 zone (+2) | |
| 00:58 | Ohio State | Herman Simmons misses long on a 3 pointer from the right wing | 53-58 |
| 00:57 | Illinois | Brian Wilkinson grabs the board | 53-58 |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and intentionally fouling (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 3-2 zone (+2) | |
| 00:54 | Illinois | Brian Wilkinson is hacked by Herman Simmons in the backcourt - foul #5 on Herman Simmons, team foul #9 | 53-58 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Christian Lawrence (SG) Herman Simmons | |
| Subs | Illinois | Thomas Ikard (SG), Michael Baker (PF) William Nichols, Boris Pinkowski | |
| 00:54 | Illinois | Brian Wilkinson makes the 1st free throw | 53-59 |
| 00:54 | Illinois | Brian Wilkinson makes the 2nd free throw | 53-60 |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 3-2 zone (+2) | |
| 00:48 | Ohio State | Sean Basham's floater is tipped away by Dennis Murray | 53-60 |
| 00:46 | Ohio State | Carl McClure tips it back up and in | 55-60 |
| 00:46 | Illinois | Illinois calls a full timeout (2 :30 1 full remaining) | 55-60 |
| 00:43 | Illinois | Thomas Ikard is hacked by Bert Lyon in the backcourt - foul #4 on Bert Lyon, team foul #10 | 55-60 |
| 00:43 | Illinois | Thomas Ikard misses the 1st free throw | 55-60 |
| 00:43 | Illinois | Thomas Ikard makes the 2nd free throw | 55-61 |
| 00:36 | Ohio State | Sean Basham is bothered by a doubleteam and misses badly on a fadeaway jumper from the right side | 55-61 |
| 00:34 | Illinois | Dennis Murray grabs the board | 55-61 |
| 00:32 | Illinois | Christian Lawrence is called for the reach on Dennis Murray in the backcourt - foul #1 on Christian Lawrence, team foul #11 | 55-61 |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| Subs | Illinois | Boris Pinkowski (SF) Michael Baker | |
| 00:32 | Illinois | Dennis Murray makes the 1st free throw | 55-62 |
| 00:32 | Illinois | Dennis Murray makes the 2nd free throw | 55-63 |
| 00:24 | Ohio State | Christian Lawrence can't connect on a 3pt jumper from the right wing | 55-63 |
| 00:22 | Illinois | Dennis Murray grabs the board | 55-63 |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (-5) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 3-2 zone (+2) | |
| 00:21 | Illinois | Dennis Murray is fouled in the backcourt by Bert Lyon - foul #5 on Bert Lyon, team foul #12 | 55-63 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Jonathon McGlamery (SG) Bert Lyon | |
| Subs | Illinois | Michael Baker (PF) Boris Pinkowski | |
| 00:21 | Illinois | Dennis Murray makes the 1st free throw | 55-64 |
| 00:21 | Illinois | Dennis Murray misses the 2nd free throw | 55-64 |
| 00:21 | Ohio State | Sean Basham gets the rebound | 55-64 |
| 00:21 | Ohio State | Ohio State calls a full timeout (2 :30 2 full remaining) | 55-64 |
| 00:14 | Ohio State | Christian Lawrence hits a wide open 3 from the left corner | 58-64 |
| 00:14 | Illinois | Illinois calls a full timeout (2 :30 remaining) | 58-64 |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| Subs | Illinois | Boris Pinkowski (SF) Dennis Murray | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 3-2 zone (+2) | |
| 00:13 | Illinois | Boris Pinkowski is fouled in the backcourt by Christian Lawrence - foul #2 on Christian Lawrence, team foul #13 | 58-64 |
| 00:13 | Illinois | Boris Pinkowski misses the 1st free throw | 58-64 |
| 00:13 | Illinois | Boris Pinkowski makes the 2nd free throw | 58-65 |
| 00:09 | Ohio State | Ohio State calls a full timeout (2 :30 1 full remaining) | 58-65 |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| Subs | Illinois | William Nichols (SG), Dennis Murray (C) Thomas Ikard, Michael Baker | |
| 00:05 | Ohio State | William Nichols is called for the reach on Jonathon McGlamery - foul #3 on William Nichols, team foul #9 | 58-65 |
| 00:05 | Ohio State | Jonathon McGlamery misses the 1st free throw | 58-65 |
| 00:05 | Illinois | Boris Pinkowski snags the defensive board | 58-65 |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 3-2 zone (+2) | |
| 00:00 | Illinois | John Soliz runs out the clock | 58-65 |