| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Ronald Reid (fresh) 8 pts. 1 ast. 2 stl. SG - Jason Spitsberg (fresh) 8 pts. SF - Dan Michaels (fresh) 5 pts. 4 reb. PF - Johnny Audet (fresh) 5 pts. 3 reb. C - John Vance (fresh) 2 pts. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Derek Whatley (fresh) 2 pts. 2 ast. SG - Ernest Nix (fresh) 8 pts. 1 ast. SF - Vincent Hadley (fresh) 3 pts. PF - Richard Baker (fresh) 5 pts. C - Willie Howard (fresh) 5 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Northwestern | Dan Michaels inbounds the ball | 38-29 |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense and a man to man (+2) | |
| 19:38 | Northwestern | Johnny Audet's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 38-29 |
| 19:27 | Illinois | Richard Baker misses short on an open shot from the right block | 38-29 |
| 19:25 | Northwestern | Dan Michaels snags the defensive board | 38-29 |
| 18:57 | Northwestern | Johnny Audet is fouled on the floor by Willie Howard - foul #2 on Willie Howard, team foul #1 | 38-29 |
| 18:43 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid drills a fadeaway from the right wing set up by Dan Michaels | 40-29 |
| 18:26 | Illinois | Ernest Nix makes the 3pt jumper from straight away on a great pass from Willie Howard | 40-32 |
| 18:11 | Northwestern | Dan Michaels makes the 3pt shot from the left wing on a great pass from Jason Spitsberg | 43-32 |
| 17:48 | Illinois | Ernest Nix is called for traveling | 43-32 |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Roberts (PG), Carlton Austin (SG), Donald Justice (SF), James Gaylord (PF), John Patterson (C) Ronald Reid, Jason Spitsberg, Dan Michaels, Johnny Audet, John Vance | |
| Subs | Illinois | Jim Boyarski (PG), Steve Merida (SG), Robert Henderson (SF), Frank Mannino (PF), Anthony Kaya (C) Derek Whatley, Ernest Nix, Vincent Hadley, Richard Baker, Willie Howard | |
| 17:35 | Northwestern | Donald Justice hits the front of the rim on the fadeaway jumper from the right wing but the foul's on Robert Henderson - foul #2 on Robert Henderson, team foul #2 | 43-32 |
| 17:35 | Northwestern | Donald Justice makes the 1st free throw | 44-32 |
| 17:35 | Northwestern | Donald Justice makes the 2nd free throw | 45-32 |
| 17:16 | Illinois | Frank Mannino's pass is intercepted by John Patterson | 45-32 |
| 16:56 | Northwestern | Frank Mannino picks off the pass by Donald Justice | 45-32 |
| 16:46 | Illinois | Steve Merida hits a 3 from straight away on a great pass from Jim Boyarski | 45-35 |
| 16:22 | Northwestern | John Patterson knocks in the shot from the right block set up by Carlton Austin | 47-35 |
| 16:18 | Illinois | Jim Boyarski hits the front of the rim on the wide open pull-up jumper from the right wing | 47-35 |
| 16:17 | Northwestern | John Patterson grabs the board | 47-35 |
| 16:11 | Northwestern | John Patterson is fouled on the floor by Frank Mannino - foul #3 on Frank Mannino, team foul #3 | 47-35 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Ronald Reid (PG), Jason Spitsberg (SG), Dan Michaels (SF), Johnny Audet (PF), Thomas Johnson (C) John Roberts, Carlton Austin, Donald Justice, James Gaylord, John Patterson | |
| Subs | Illinois | Derek Whatley (PG), George Walton (SG), Vincent Hadley (SF), Richard Baker (PF), Willie Howard (C) Jim Boyarski, Steve Merida, Robert Henderson, Frank Mannino, Anthony Kaya | |
| 16:05 | Northwestern | Johnny Audet misses short on a driving attempt from close range but he's fouled by George Walton - foul #2 on George Walton, team foul #4 | 47-35 |
| 16:05 | Northwestern | Johnny Audet misses the 1st free throw | 47-35 |
| 16:05 | Northwestern | Johnny Audet makes the 2nd free throw | 48-35 |
| 15:41 | Illinois | Johnny Audet swats the short shot by Willie Howard | 48-35 |
| 15:40 | Northwestern | Dan Michaels pulls down the rebound | 48-35 |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Ronald Reid (fresh) 10 pts. 1 ast. 2 stl. SG - Jason Spitsberg (fresh) 8 pts. 1 ast. SF - Dan Michaels (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 6 reb. PF - Johnny Audet (fresh) 6 pts. 3 reb. C - Thomas Johnson (fresh) 3 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Derek Whatley (fresh) 2 pts. 2 ast. SG - George Walton (fresh) 2 pts. SF - Vincent Hadley (fresh) 3 pts. PF - Richard Baker (fresh) 5 pts. C - Willie Howard (fresh) 5 reb. | |
| 15:18 | Northwestern | Johnny Audet clanks a pull-up jumper from the free throw line | 48-35 |
| 15:17 | Illinois | Vincent Hadley pulls down the rebound | 48-35 |
| 15:05 | Illinois | Richard Baker drills a fadeaway from the right block on a great pass from Derek Whatley | 48-37 |
| 14:45 | Northwestern | Derek Whatley is called for the reach on Dan Michaels - foul #2 on Derek Whatley, team foul #5 | 48-37 |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Gideon (PG), James Gaylord (SF), John Vance (C) Ronald Reid, Dan Michaels, Thomas Johnson | |
| Subs | Illinois | Jim Boyarski (PG), Ernest Nix (SG), Robert Henderson (SF), Anthony Kaya (C) Derek Whatley, George Walton, Vincent Hadley, Willie Howard | |
| 14:28 | Northwestern | John Gideon misses badly on a fadeaway jumper from the free throw line but he's hacked by Jim Boyarski - foul #1 on Jim Boyarski, team foul #6 | 48-37 |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Roberts (SG), Carlton Austin (SF) Jason Spitsberg, Johnny Audet | |
| Subs | Illinois | Frank Mannino (PF) Richard Baker | |
| 14:28 | Northwestern | John Gideon makes the 1st free throw | 49-37 |
| 14:28 | Northwestern | John Gideon makes the 2nd free throw | 50-37 |
| 14:13 | Illinois | Ernest Nix knocks in the runner from the left block set up by Jim Boyarski | 50-39 |
| 14:08 | Northwestern | Carlton Austin hits the front of the rim on the jumpshot from just outside the lane | 50-39 |
| 14:07 | Northwestern | John Roberts pulls down the offensive rebound | 50-39 |
| 14:02 | Northwestern | Carlton Austin makes the jumpshot from the right side on a great pass from John Roberts | 52-39 |
| 13:51 | Illinois | Jim Boyarski is hacked by John Gideon - foul #1 on John Gideon, team foul #1 | 52-39 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Donald Justice (SF), John Patterson (PF) John Gideon, James Gaylord | |
| Subs | Illinois | Steve Merida (PG), Willie Howard (C) Jim Boyarski, Anthony Kaya | |
| 13:37 | Illinois | Ernest Nix drills a jumpshot from the right wing set up by Frank Mannino | 52-41 |
| 13:31 | Northwestern | Carlton Austin can't connect on a fadeaway jumper from the right side but the foul's on Robert Henderson - foul #3 on Robert Henderson, team foul #7 | 52-41 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg (SG) John Roberts | |
| Subs | Illinois | Derek Whatley (PG), Richard Baker (PF) Robert Henderson, Frank Mannino | |
| 13:31 | Northwestern | Carlton Austin makes the 1st free throw | 53-41 |
| 13:31 | Northwestern | Carlton Austin makes the 2nd free throw | 54-41 |
| 13:17 | Illinois | Steve Merida misses badly on the uncontested shot from the free throw line | 54-41 |
| 13:16 | Northwestern | John Patterson grabs the defensive rebound | 54-41 |
| 13:11 | Northwestern | Carlton Austin knocks in the floater from the right wing on a great pass from Jason Spitsberg | 56-41 |
| 13:00 | Illinois | The short jumper by Ernest Nix is denied by John Vance | 56-41 |
| 12:59 | Illinois | Richard Baker hits the follow up shot | 56-43 |
| 12:54 | Northwestern | Donald Justice drills a fadeaway from the baseline on a nice dish by John Patterson and the foul's on Willie Howard - foul #3 on Willie Howard, team foul #8 | 58-43 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Ronald Reid (PG), Johnny Audet (PF), Thomas Johnson (C) Carlton Austin, John Patterson, John Vance | |
| Subs | Illinois | George Walton (PG), Vincent Hadley (SF) Derek Whatley, Ernest Nix | |
| 12:54 | Northwestern | Donald Justice makes the free throw | 59-43 |
| 12:47 | Illinois | Vincent Hadley is hacked by Donald Justice in the backcourt - foul #3 on Donald Justice, team foul #2 | 59-43 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Dan Michaels (SF) Donald Justice | |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| 12:32 | Illinois | Vincent Hadley hits a driving attempt in the lane set up by George Walton | 59-45 |
| 12:27 | Northwestern | Dan Michaels misses short on a 3 pointer from the right wing | 59-45 |
| 12:26 | Illinois | George Walton grabs the defensive rebound | 59-45 |
| 12:24 | Illinois | George Walton's pass is intercepted by Dan Michaels in the backcourt | 59-45 |
| 12:09 | Northwestern | Johnny Audet lays it up and in on a nice dish by Jason Spitsberg | 61-45 |
| 11:52 | Illinois | Vincent Hadley misses the fadeaway from the baseline but the foul's on Dan Michaels - foul #3 on Dan Michaels, team foul #3 | 61-45 |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Roberts (SG), James Gaylord (SF), John Vance (C) Jason Spitsberg, Dan Michaels, Thomas Johnson | |
| Subs | Illinois | Derek Whatley (PG), Jim Boyarski (SG), Frank Mannino (PF), Anthony Kaya (C) George Walton, Steve Merida, Richard Baker, Willie Howard | |
| 11:52 | Illinois | Vincent Hadley makes the 1st free throw | 61-46 |
| 11:52 | Illinois | Vincent Hadley makes the 2nd free throw | 61-47 |
| 11:34 | Northwestern | James Gaylord double dribbles | 61-47 |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Gideon (SG), John Patterson (PF) Ronald Reid, Johnny Audet | |
| Subs | Illinois | Robert Henderson (SF) Vincent Hadley | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - John Roberts (fresh) 3 pts. 4 ast. 2 stl. SG - John Gideon (fresh) 2 pts. 1 ast. SF - James Gaylord (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. PF - John Patterson (fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. C - John Vance (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Derek Whatley (fresh) 2 pts. 3 ast. SG - Jim Boyarski (fresh) 2 ast. SF - Robert Henderson (fresh) 2 pts. 3 pf. PF - Frank Mannino (fresh) 3 pts. 2 reb. 3 pf. C - Anthony Kaya (fresh) 2 pts. 5 reb. | |
| 11:32 | Illinois | John Roberts picks off the pass by Derek Whatley in the backcourt | 61-47 |
| 11:24 | Northwestern | John Vance misses badly on a floater from the left wing but he's fouled by Anthony Kaya - foul #1 on Anthony Kaya, team foul #9 | 61-47 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Illinois | Ernest Nix (SG) Robert Henderson | |
| 11:24 | Northwestern | John Vance misses the 1st free throw | 61-47 |
| 11:24 | Northwestern | John Vance makes the 2nd free throw | 62-47 |
| 11:21 | Illinois | Derek Whatley is called for traveling in the backcourt | 62-47 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Donald Justice (SF) John Vance | |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| 11:01 | Northwestern | John Roberts is whistled for a carry | 62-47 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg (SG) John Roberts | |
| Subs | Illinois | Robert Henderson (SF), Richard Baker (PF) Derek Whatley, Frank Mannino | |
| 10:44 | Illinois | Jim Boyarski is alone and drills a 3pt attempt from straight away | 62-50 |
| 10:23 | Northwestern | John Patterson throws a bad pass out of bounds | 62-50 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Ronald Reid (PG), Carlton Austin (SG), Dan Michaels (SF), Johnny Audet (PF), Thomas Johnson (C) John Gideon, Jason Spitsberg, Donald Justice, James Gaylord, John Patterson | |
| Subs | Illinois | Derek Whatley (PG), Steve Merida (SG), Willie Howard (C) Jim Boyarski, Ernest Nix, Anthony Kaya | |
| 10:05 | Illinois | Derek Whatley hits the front of the rim on the 3 from straight away | 62-50 |
| 10:04 | Northwestern | Johnny Audet gets the rebound | 62-50 |
| 09:58 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid hits the front of the rim on the 3 from the left corner | 62-50 |
| 09:57 | Illinois | Willie Howard grabs the board | 62-50 |
| 09:43 | Illinois | Steve Merida can't connect on a jumpshot from the left wing | 62-50 |
| 09:42 | Northwestern | Dan Michaels grabs the defensive rebound | 62-50 |
| 09:36 | Northwestern | Thomas Johnson's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 62-50 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg (SG), John Vance (C) Dan Michaels, Thomas Johnson | |
| Subs | Illinois | George Walton (PG), Ernest Nix (SG), Vincent Hadley (SF), Frank Mannino (C) Derek Whatley, Steve Merida, Richard Baker, Willie Howard | |
| 09:18 | Illinois | Robert Henderson can't connect on a 3pt jumper from the left corner | 62-50 |
| 09:17 | Illinois | Vincent Hadley pulls down the offensive rebound | 62-50 |
| 09:05 | Illinois | Robert Henderson loses the ball out of bounds | 62-50 |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Roberts (PG), Dan Michaels (SF) Ronald Reid, Carlton Austin | |
| Subs | Illinois | Willie Howard (C) Robert Henderson | |
| 08:42 | Northwestern | Johnny Audet hits the finger roll on a nice dish by John Roberts | 64-50 |
| 08:24 | Illinois | Ernest Nix can't connect on an uncontested 3 from the right wing | 64-50 |
| 08:22 | Northwestern | John Vance grabs the defensive rebound | 64-50 |
| 08:18 | Northwestern | Frank Mannino swats the layup by Jason Spitsberg | 64-50 |
| 08:16 | Illinois | Vincent Hadley grabs the defensive rebound | 64-50 |
| 08:01 | Illinois | George Walton misses badly on a 3 from the left wing | 64-50 |
| 08:00 | Northwestern | Dan Michaels gets the rebound | 64-50 |
| 07:54 | Northwestern | George Walton steps in front of the Dan Michaels pass | 64-50 |
| 07:50 | Illinois | George Walton dunks the ball | 64-52 |
| 07:32 | Northwestern | George Walton is called for the reach on John Roberts - foul #3 on George Walton, team foul #10 | 64-52 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Ronald Reid (PG), Donald Justice (SF), James Gaylord (PF), John Patterson (C) Jason Spitsberg, Dan Michaels, Johnny Audet, John Vance | |
| Subs | Illinois | Derek Whatley (PG), Steve Merida (SG), Jim Boyarski (SF), Robert Henderson (PF), Anthony Kaya (C) George Walton, Ernest Nix, Vincent Hadley, Frank Mannino, Willie Howard | |
| 07:32 | Northwestern | John Roberts makes the 1st free throw | 65-52 |
| 07:32 | Northwestern | John Roberts makes the 2nd free throw | 66-52 |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Ronald Reid (fresh) 10 pts. 1 ast. 2 stl. SG - John Roberts (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 5 ast. 3 stl. SF - Donald Justice (fresh) 5 pts. 3 pf. PF - James Gaylord (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. C - John Patterson (fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Derek Whatley (fresh) 2 pts. 3 ast. SG - Steve Merida (fresh) 5 pts. 3 reb. SF - Jim Boyarski (fresh) 3 pts. 2 ast. PF - Robert Henderson (fresh) 2 pts. 3 pf. C - Anthony Kaya (fresh) 2 pts. 5 reb. | |
| 07:18 | Illinois | Derek Whatley's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 66-52 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Carlton Austin (SG) John Roberts | |
| Subs | Illinois | Richard Baker (PF) Steve Merida | |
| 07:03 | Northwestern | John Patterson misses the jumper from the right side but he's hacked by Anthony Kaya - foul #2 on Anthony Kaya, team foul #11 | 66-52 |
| 07:03 | Northwestern | John Patterson makes the 1st free throw | 67-52 |
| 07:03 | Northwestern | John Patterson makes the 2nd free throw | 68-52 |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a man to man (+2) | |
| 06:49 | Illinois | Robert Henderson lays it in uncontested set up by Jim Boyarski | 68-54 |
| 06:21 | Northwestern | James Gaylord connects on the jumper in the lane | 70-54 |
| 06:06 | Illinois | Anthony Kaya is open and scores on a 3pt attempt from the left corner on a nice dish by Jim Boyarski | 70-57 |
| 05:37 | Northwestern | Carlton Austin misses short on a floater from the left side | 70-57 |
| 05:36 | Illinois | Jim Boyarski pulls down the rebound | 70-57 |
| 05:28 | Illinois | Derek Whatley knocks in the jumper from the left wing on a great pass from Jim Boyarski | 70-59 |
| 05:22 | Northwestern | Jim Boyarski steps in front of the John Patterson pass | 70-59 |
| 05:19 | Illinois | Derek Whatley lays it in on a nice dish by Jim Boyarski | 70-61 |
| 05:01 | Northwestern | Donald Justice clanks a 3 from straight away | 70-61 |
| 05:00 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Jim Boyarski | 70-61 |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense and a man to man (+2) | |
| 04:44 | Illinois | Richard Baker lays it up and in | 70-63 |
| 04:30 | Northwestern | Carlton Austin is whistled for a carry | 70-63 |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Roberts (PG), Jason Spitsberg (SG), Dan Michaels (SF), Johnny Audet (PF), Thomas Johnson (C) Ronald Reid, Carlton Austin, Donald Justice, John Patterson, James Gaylord | |
| Subs | Illinois | Steve Merida (SG), Vincent Hadley (SF), Willie Howard (C) Jim Boyarski, Robert Henderson, Anthony Kaya | |
| 04:18 | Illinois | Derek Whatley hits the front of the rim on the fadeaway in the paint | 70-63 |
| 04:17 | Northwestern | Thomas Johnson grabs the board | 70-63 |
| 03:59 | Northwestern | Vincent Hadley denies the turnaround by Johnny Audet | 70-63 |
| 03:58 | Northwestern | Johnny Audet tips it back up and in | 72-63 |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a man to man (+2) | |
| 03:39 | Illinois | Jason Spitsberg is called for the reach on Willie Howard - foul #2 on Jason Spitsberg, team foul #4 | 72-63 |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Vance (C) Thomas Johnson | |
| Subs | Illinois | George Walton (PG), Ernest Nix (SG), Frank Mannino (PF) Derek Whatley, Steve Merida, Richard Baker | |
| 03:20 | Illinois | Vincent Hadley knocks in the fadeaway in the paint on a nice dish by Ernest Nix | 72-65 |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - John Roberts (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 5 ast. 3 stl. SG - Jason Spitsberg (fresh) 8 pts. 3 ast. SF - Dan Michaels (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 8 reb. 3 pf. PF - Johnny Audet (fairly fresh) 12 pts. 5 reb. C - John Vance (fresh) 3 pts. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - George Walton (fresh) 4 pts. 2 stl. 3 pf. SG - Ernest Nix (fresh) 15 pts. 2 ast. SF - Vincent Hadley (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 3 reb. PF - Frank Mannino (fresh) 3 pts. 2 reb. 2 blk. 3 pf. C - Willie Howard (fairly fresh) 6 reb. 3 pf. | |
| 03:14 | Northwestern | Dan Michaels hits the front of the rim on the 3pt attempt from the left wing | 72-65 |
| 03:13 | Illinois | Frank Mannino pulls down the rebound | 72-65 |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense and a man to man (+2) | |
| 02:49 | Illinois | George Walton misses short on a runner near the basket but the foul's on Jason Spitsberg - foul #3 on Jason Spitsberg, team foul #5 | 72-65 |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Gideon (PG), Thomas Johnson (C) John Roberts, John Vance | |
| Subs | Illinois | Steve Merida (SF) Vincent Hadley | |
| 02:49 | Illinois | George Walton makes the 1st free throw | 72-66 |
| 02:49 | Illinois | George Walton makes the 2nd free throw | 72-67 |
| 02:47 | Northwestern | Northwestern calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 72-67 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Ronald Reid (PG), John Vance (C) John Gideon, Thomas Johnson | |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| 02:31 | Northwestern | John Vance hits a fadeaway in the lane on a nice dish by Jason Spitsberg | 74-67 |
| 02:31 | Illinois | Illinois calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 74-67 |
| Subs | Northwestern | James Gaylord (SF) Dan Michaels | |
| Subs | Illinois | Derek Whatley (PG), Vincent Hadley (SF), Richard Baker (PF) George Walton, Steve Merida, Frank Mannino | |
| 02:09 | Illinois | Richard Baker makes the 3pt shot from the right corner on a nice dish by Derek Whatley | 74-70 |
| 01:46 | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg throws a bad pass out of bounds | 74-70 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Dan Michaels (SF) James Gaylord | |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| 01:22 | Illinois | Derek Whatley misses the wide open fadeaway from the right wing but he's hacked by Johnny Audet - foul #1 on Johnny Audet, team foul #6 | 74-70 |
| 01:22 | Illinois | Derek Whatley makes the 1st free throw | 74-71 |
| 01:22 | Illinois | Derek Whatley makes the 2nd free throw | 74-72 |
| 01:09 | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg makes the shot from the right side set up by Ronald Reid | 76-72 |
| 01:06 | Illinois | Ronald Reid steals it from Derek Whatley in the backcourt | 76-72 |
| 01:05 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid banks in the layup | 78-72 |
| 00:50 | Illinois | Ernest Nix knocks in the 3pt shot from the right corner on a nice dish by Derek Whatley | 78-75 |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense and a man to man (+2) | |
| 00:24 | Northwestern | John Vance is hacked by Vincent Hadley - foul #2 on Vincent Hadley, team foul #12 | 78-75 |
| 00:24 | Northwestern | John Vance misses the 1st free throw | 78-75 |
| 00:24 | Northwestern | John Vance makes the 2nd free throw | 79-75 |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a man to man (+2) | |
| 00:22 | Illinois | Jason Spitsberg steals the ball from Derek Whatley in the backcourt | 79-75 |
| 00:19 | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg lays it up and in | 81-75 |
| 00:14 | Illinois | Ernest Nix misses short on a 3 from the right corner | 81-75 |
| 00:12 | Illinois | Richard Baker grabs the offensive rebound | 81-75 |
| 00:08 | Illinois | Derek Whatley comes up short on the 3 pointer from the left corner | 81-75 |
| 00:06 | Illinois | Willie Howard grabs the offensive board | 81-75 |
| 00:04 | Illinois | Ernest Nix makes the 3 from the right corner on a great pass from Derek Whatley | 81-78 |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (+2) | |
| 00:02 | Northwestern | Ernest Nix is called for the reach on Dan Michaels in the backcourt - foul #2 on Ernest Nix, team foul #13 | 81-78 |
| 00:02 | Northwestern | Dan Michaels makes the 1st free throw | 82-78 |
| 00:02 | Northwestern | Dan Michaels makes the 2nd free throw | 83-78 |
| 00:00 | Illinois | Vincent Hadley misses short on a halfcourt shot | 83-78 |