| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Derek Whatley (fresh) 6 pts. 2 ast. SG - Ernest Nix (fresh) 10 pts. 1 ast. SF - Vincent Hadley (fresh) 2 pts. PF - Richard Baker (fresh) 5 pts. 4 reb. C - Willie Howard (fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Chris Gilmore (fresh) 3 pts. 2 ast. SG - David Vides (fresh) 10 pts. SF - Roger Streit (fresh) PF - John Osborn (fresh) 3 pts. 2 reb. C - Olin Schimanski (fresh) 3 pts. | |
| 20:00 | Ohio State | Roger Streit inbounds the ball | 33-26 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense and a man to man (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense and a man to man (0) | |
| 19:36 | Ohio State | David Vides comes up short on the 3pt jumper from straight away | 33-26 |
| 19:34 | Illinois | Vincent Hadley gets the rebound | 33-26 |
| 19:05 | Illinois | Vincent Hadley comes up short on the jumper from the right wing but he's hacked by Roger Streit - foul #2 on Roger Streit, team foul #1 | 33-26 |
| 19:05 | Illinois | Vincent Hadley makes the 1st free throw | 34-26 |
| 19:05 | Illinois | Vincent Hadley misses the 2nd free throw | 34-26 |
| 19:05 | Ohio State | Olin Schimanski snags the defensive board | 34-26 |
| 18:44 | Ohio State | Olin Schimanski scores on a jumper in the paint | 34-28 |
| 18:28 | Illinois | Derek Whatley misses short on a 3pt attempt from the right wing | 34-28 |
| 18:26 | Illinois | Vincent Hadley grabs the offensive board | 34-28 |
| 18:05 | Illinois | Ernest Nix makes the runner in the lane | 36-28 |
| 17:47 | Ohio State | John Osborn misses long on a 3pt jumper from straight away | 36-28 |
| 17:46 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Vincent Hadley | 36-28 |
| 17:29 | Illinois | Willie Howard can't connect on a shot from the left wing | 36-28 |
| 17:28 | Illinois | Willie Howard grabs the offensive rebound | 36-28 |
| 17:06 | Illinois | David Vides is called for the reach on Ernest Nix - foul #2 on David Vides, team foul #2 | 36-28 |
| Subs | Illinois | Jim Boyarski (PG), Steve Merida (SG), Robert Henderson (SF), Frank Mannino (C) Derek Whatley, Ernest Nix, Vincent Hadley, Willie Howard | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Christopher Gries (SF), Tim Aleman (PF) Roger Streit, John Osborn | |
| 16:53 | Illinois | Richard Baker misses the fadeaway jumper from the free throw line | 36-28 |
| 16:52 | Ohio State | Christopher Gries pulls down the rebound | 36-28 |
| 16:46 | Ohio State | David Vides misses badly on a 3pt attempt from the left corner | 36-28 |
| 16:44 | Ohio State | Christopher Gries tips it in | 36-30 |
| 16:20 | Illinois | Tim Aleman takes the ball from Jim Boyarski | 36-30 |
| 16:11 | Ohio State | Christopher Gries lays it up and in | 36-32 |
| 15:54 | Illinois | Steve Merida clanks a fadeaway jumper from the right side but the foul's on Chris Gilmore - foul #2 on Chris Gilmore, team foul #3 | 36-32 |
| Subs | Illinois | Derek Whatley (PG), Vincent Hadley (SF), Willie Howard (C) Jim Boyarski, Robert Henderson, Richard Baker | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Roger Streit (SF), John Osborn (PF), Kevin Railsback (C) Chris Gilmore, David Vides, Olin Schimanski | |
| 15:54 | Illinois | Steve Merida makes the 1st free throw | 37-32 |
| 15:54 | Illinois | Steve Merida makes the 2nd free throw | 38-32 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Derek Whatley (fresh) 6 pts. 2 ast. SG - Steve Merida (fresh) 4 pts. SF - Vincent Hadley (fresh) 3 pts. 3 reb. PF - Frank Mannino (fresh) 6 pts. 7 reb. C - Willie Howard (fresh) 2 pts. 5 reb. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Christopher Gries (fresh) 4 pts. 2 ast. SG - Tim Aleman (fresh) 5 pts. SF - Roger Streit (fresh) PF - John Osborn (fresh) 3 pts. 2 reb. C - Kevin Railsback (fresh) 2 pts. | |
| 15:36 | Ohio State | Derek Whatley steals the ball from Kevin Railsback | 38-32 |
| 15:22 | Illinois | Vincent Hadley misses long on a shot from the right wing | 38-32 |
| 15:20 | Illinois | Steve Merida tips it home | 40-32 |
| 15:00 | Ohio State | John Osborn comes up short on the pull-up jumper from the left wing | 40-32 |
| 14:58 | Ohio State | Tim Aleman grabs the offensive board | 40-32 |
| 14:52 | Ohio State | John Osborn hits a fadeaway from the left block set up by Christopher Gries | 40-34 |
| 14:45 | Illinois | Derek Whatley misses long on a 3pt shot from straight away | 40-34 |
| 14:44 | Illinois | Frank Mannino hits the follow up shot | 42-34 |
| 14:37 | Ohio State | Kevin Railsback is called for traveling | 42-34 |
| Subs | Illinois | Ernest Nix (SG), Anthony Kaya (PF) Steve Merida, Frank Mannino | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Chris Gilmore (PG) Tim Aleman | |
| 14:14 | Illinois | Anthony Kaya scores on a shot in the lane on a great pass from Ernest Nix | 44-34 |
| 14:03 | Ohio State | John Osborn hits the front of the rim on the fadeaway jumper from the left side | 44-34 |
| 14:02 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Ernest Nix | 44-34 |
| 13:52 | Illinois | Christopher Gries steals the ball from Ernest Nix | 44-34 |
| 13:47 | Ohio State | Roger Streit scores on a shot from the left block set up by John Osborn and the foul's on Anthony Kaya - foul #1 on Anthony Kaya, team foul #1 | 44-36 |
| Subs | Illinois | Jim Boyarski (PG), Robert Henderson (SF), Richard Baker (PF) Derek Whatley, Vincent Hadley, Willie Howard | |
| Subs | Ohio State | David Vides (SG), Tim Aleman (PF), Olin Schimanski (C) Christopher Gries, John Osborn, Kevin Railsback | |
| 13:47 | Ohio State | Roger Streit makes the free throw | 44-37 |
| 13:25 | Illinois | Jim Boyarski misses short on a 3 from the left corner | 44-37 |
| 13:24 | Ohio State | Roger Streit pulls down the rebound | 44-37 |
| 13:04 | Ohio State | Roger Streit buries a jump hook from the right block | 44-39 |
| 12:51 | Illinois | Jim Boyarski misses long on a fadeaway from the free throw line | 44-39 |
| 12:50 | Ohio State | Olin Schimanski gets the rebound | 44-39 |
| 12:35 | Ohio State | Tim Aleman comes up short on the shot from the left wing | 44-39 |
| 12:33 | Ohio State | Chris Gilmore tips it home | 44-41 |
| 12:14 | Illinois | Robert Henderson's layup is rejected by Olin Schimanski | 44-41 |
| 12:12 | Illinois | Richard Baker tips it home | 46-41 |
| 11:56 | Ohio State | Roger Streit misses long on a driving attempt from the right block but he's hacked by Robert Henderson - foul #1 on Robert Henderson, team foul #2 | 46-41 |
| Subs | Illinois | Derek Whatley (PG), Vincent Hadley (SF), Willie Howard (C) Ernest Nix, Robert Henderson, Anthony Kaya | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Christopher Gries (PG), John Osborn (PF) Chris Gilmore, Tim Aleman | |
| 11:56 | Ohio State | Roger Streit misses the 1st free throw | 46-41 |
| 11:56 | Ohio State | Roger Streit makes the 2nd free throw | 46-42 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Derek Whatley (fresh) 6 pts. 2 ast. SG - Jim Boyarski (fresh) 2 stl. SF - Vincent Hadley (fresh) 3 pts. 3 reb. PF - Richard Baker (fresh) 7 pts. 5 reb. C - Willie Howard (fresh) 2 pts. 5 reb. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Christopher Gries (fresh) 4 pts. 3 ast. SG - David Vides (fresh) 10 pts. SF - Roger Streit (fairly fresh) 6 pts. PF - John Osborn (fresh) 5 pts. 2 reb. C - Olin Schimanski (fresh) 5 pts. 3 reb. | |
| 11:33 | Illinois | Vincent Hadley misses long on a turnaround near the basket but he's hacked by John Osborn - foul #2 on John Osborn, team foul #4 | 46-42 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Chinua Suleiman (PG) Roger Streit | |
| 11:33 | Illinois | Vincent Hadley makes the 1st free throw | 47-42 |
| 11:33 | Illinois | Vincent Hadley makes the 2nd free throw | 48-42 |
| 11:10 | Ohio State | Christopher Gries can't connect on a 3pt shot from the left wing | 48-42 |
| 11:08 | Ohio State | Olin Schimanski tips it back up and in | 48-44 |
| 10:54 | Illinois | Vincent Hadley connects on the 3 from the right corner on a great pass from Jim Boyarski | 51-44 |
| 10:43 | Ohio State | David Vides hits the front of the rim on the fadeaway from the right side but the foul's on Jim Boyarski - foul #2 on Jim Boyarski, team foul #3 | 51-44 |
| Subs | Illinois | Ernest Nix (SG), Frank Mannino (PF) Jim Boyarski, Richard Baker | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Chris Gilmore (PG), Kevin Railsback (C) Chinua Suleiman, Olin Schimanski | |
| 10:43 | Ohio State | David Vides makes the 1st free throw | 51-45 |
| 10:43 | Ohio State | David Vides misses the 2nd free throw | 51-45 |
| 10:43 | Illinois | Frank Mannino grabs the defensive rebound | 51-45 |
| 10:40 | Illinois | Chris Gilmore picks off the pass by Derek Whatley in the backcourt | 51-45 |
| 10:21 | Ohio State | John Osborn makes the fadeaway from the right block | 51-47 |
| 10:07 | Illinois | Frank Mannino misses long on a fadeaway from the baseline but he's hacked by Kevin Railsback - foul #1 on Kevin Railsback, team foul #5 | 51-47 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Tim Aleman (SF) David Vides | |
| 10:07 | Illinois | Frank Mannino misses the 1st free throw | 51-47 |
| 10:07 | Illinois | Frank Mannino makes the 2nd free throw | 52-47 |
| 09:47 | Ohio State | Vincent Hadley is called for the reach on Tim Aleman - foul #1 on Vincent Hadley, team foul #4 | 52-47 |
| Subs | Illinois | Robert Henderson (SF), Richard Baker (PF) Vincent Hadley, Frank Mannino | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Olin Schimanski (C) John Osborn | |
| 09:28 | Ohio State | Christopher Gries misses long on a 3pt jumper from the right corner | 52-47 |
| 09:27 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Robert Henderson | 52-47 |
| 09:04 | Illinois | Ernest Nix can't connect on a 3pt jumper from the left wing | 52-47 |
| 09:03 | Illinois | Willie Howard gets the offensive rebound | 52-47 |
| 08:46 | Illinois | Tim Aleman steals it from Willie Howard | 52-47 |
| 08:43 | Ohio State | Tim Aleman banks in the layup | 52-49 |
| 08:25 | Illinois | Derek Whatley drills a jumper from the right block on a great pass from Richard Baker | 54-49 |
| 07:56 | Ohio State | Olin Schimanski's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 54-49 |
| Subs | Illinois | Jim Boyarski (PG), Steve Merida (SG), Vincent Hadley (SF), Frank Mannino (PF), Anthony Kaya (C) Derek Whatley, Ernest Nix, Robert Henderson, Richard Baker, Willie Howard | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Chinua Suleiman (PG), David Vides (SG), Roger Streit (SF), John Osborn (PF) Chris Gilmore, Christopher Gries, Tim Aleman, Olin Schimanski | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Jim Boyarski (fresh) 1 ast. 2 stl. SG - Steve Merida (fresh) 6 pts. SF - Vincent Hadley (fresh) 8 pts. 3 reb. PF - Frank Mannino (fresh) 9 pts. 9 reb. C - Anthony Kaya (fresh) 2 pts. | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Chinua Suleiman (fresh) 1 ast. SG - David Vides (fresh) 11 pts. SF - Roger Streit (fresh) 6 pts. PF - John Osborn (fresh) 7 pts. 2 reb. C - Kevin Railsback (fresh) 2 pts. | |
| 07:39 | Illinois | Frank Mannino clanks a pull-up jumper from the right wing | 54-49 |
| 07:38 | Ohio State | John Osborn grabs the board | 54-49 |
| 07:20 | Ohio State | Roger Streit travels with the ball | 54-49 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Albert Evans (C) Kevin Railsback | |
| 06:59 | Illinois | Vincent Hadley throws a bad pass out of bounds | 54-49 |
| Subs | Illinois | Richard Baker (PF) Anthony Kaya | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Chris Gilmore (PG), Olin Schimanski (C) Chinua Suleiman, Albert Evans | |
| 06:39 | Ohio State | David Vides connects on the 3pt shot from straight away | 54-52 |
| 06:22 | Illinois | Richard Baker hits the front of the rim on the floater in the lane but he's fouled by John Osborn - foul #3 on John Osborn, team foul #6 | 54-52 |
| 06:22 | Illinois | Richard Baker makes the 1st free throw | 55-52 |
| 06:22 | Illinois | Richard Baker makes the 2nd free throw | 56-52 |
| 06:03 | Ohio State | Olin Schimanski is whistled for a carry | 56-52 |
| Subs | Illinois | Derek Whatley (PG), Ernest Nix (SG), Willie Howard (C) Jim Boyarski, Steve Merida, Frank Mannino | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 05:50 | Illinois | Richard Baker drills a shot from the left block | 58-52 |
| 05:43 | Ohio State | David Vides misses short on a shot from the left wing | 58-52 |
| 05:41 | Illinois | Willie Howard pulls down the rebound | 58-52 |
| 05:24 | Illinois | Ernest Nix comes up short on the floater from the free throw line but he's hacked by David Vides - foul #3 on David Vides, team foul #7 | 58-52 |
| Subs | Illinois | Jim Boyarski (SF) Vincent Hadley | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Tim Aleman (PF), Kevin Railsback (C) John Osborn, Olin Schimanski | |
| 05:24 | Illinois | Ernest Nix makes the 1st free throw | 59-52 |
| 05:24 | Illinois | Ernest Nix misses the 2nd free throw | 59-52 |
| 05:24 | Ohio State | The rebound goes to Kevin Railsback | 59-52 |
| 04:59 | Ohio State | David Vides misses the 3 from the left corner | 59-52 |
| 04:58 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Willie Howard | 59-52 |
| 04:44 | Illinois | Jim Boyarski misses long on a floater from the free throw line but the foul's on Roger Streit - foul #3 on Roger Streit, team foul #8 | 59-52 |
| Subs | Illinois | Robert Henderson (SF), Frank Mannino (PF) Ernest Nix, Richard Baker | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Chinua Suleiman (PG), Christopher Gries (SG), Steve Scuderi (SF) Chris Gilmore, David Vides, Roger Streit | |
| 04:44 | Illinois | Jim Boyarski makes the 1st free throw | 60-52 |
| 04:44 | Illinois | Jim Boyarski makes the 2nd free throw | 61-52 |
| 04:28 | Ohio State | Kevin Railsback's pass is intercepted by Willie Howard | 61-52 |
| 04:07 | Illinois | Robert Henderson drills a fadeaway jumper from the left wing set up by Derek Whatley | 63-52 |
| 03:47 | Ohio State | Derek Whatley steps in front of the Chinua Suleiman pass | 63-52 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Derek Whatley (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 3 ast. 2 stl. SG - Jim Boyarski (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 1 ast. 2 stl. SF - Robert Henderson (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. PF - Frank Mannino (fresh) 9 pts. 9 reb. C - Willie Howard (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 8 reb. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Chinua Suleiman (fresh) 1 ast. SG - Christopher Gries (fresh) 4 pts. 3 ast. SF - Steve Scuderi (fresh) 1 ast. PF - Tim Aleman (fresh) 7 pts. 2 stl. C - Kevin Railsback (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense and a man to man (-1) | |
| 03:22 | Illinois | Robert Henderson blows the layup | 63-52 |
| 03:20 | Ohio State | Christopher Gries grabs the defensive rebound | 63-52 |
| 03:20 | Ohio State | Ohio State calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 63-52 |
| Subs | Illinois | Ernest Nix (SG), Vincent Hadley (SF), Richard Baker (PF) Jim Boyarski, Robert Henderson, Frank Mannino | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Chris Gilmore (PG), David Vides (SG), Roger Streit (SF), John Osborn (PF), Olin Schimanski (C) Chinua Suleiman, Christopher Gries, Steve Scuderi, Tim Aleman, Kevin Railsback | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a man to man (-1) | |
| 03:06 | Ohio State | Chris Gilmore can't connect on a 3pt attempt from the right corner | 63-52 |
| 03:05 | Ohio State | John Osborn tips it home | 63-54 |
| 02:51 | Illinois | John Osborn steals it from Willie Howard | 63-54 |
| 02:45 | Ohio State | John Osborn can't connect on a 3 from straight away | 63-54 |
| 02:43 | Ohio State | Olin Schimanski pulls down the offensive rebound | 63-54 |
| 02:38 | Ohio State | Chris Gilmore makes the 3 from straight away set up by David Vides | 63-57 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense and a man to man (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a man to man (0) | |
| 02:23 | Illinois | Ernest Nix clanks a jumper in the paint but he's fouled by David Vides - foul #4 on David Vides, team foul #9 | 63-57 |
| 02:23 | Illinois | Ernest Nix misses the 1st free throw | 63-57 |
| 02:23 | Illinois | Ernest Nix misses the 2nd free throw | 63-57 |
| 02:23 | Ohio State | John Osborn gets the rebound | 63-57 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense and a man to man (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense and a man to man (0) | |
| 01:57 | Ohio State | Roger Streit hits a shot from the baseline on a great pass from Chris Gilmore | 63-59 |
| 01:31 | Illinois | Ernest Nix misses badly on a 3pt shot from the left wing | 63-59 |
| 01:30 | Illinois | Richard Baker snags the offensive board | 63-59 |
| 01:14 | Illinois | Ernest Nix misses the 3pt shot from straight away | 63-59 |
| 01:12 | Ohio State | John Osborn pulls down the rebound | 63-59 |
| 01:06 | Ohio State | John Osborn can't finish the layup but he's fouled by Richard Baker - foul #1 on Richard Baker, team foul #5 | 63-59 |
| 01:06 | Ohio State | John Osborn makes the 1st free throw | 63-60 |
| 01:06 | Ohio State | John Osborn makes the 2nd free throw | 63-61 |
| 00:42 | Illinois | Ernest Nix hits a 3pt attempt from straight away on a nice dish by Derek Whatley | 66-61 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense and a man to man (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a man to man (0) | |
| 00:36 | Ohio State | David Vides comes up short on the 3pt shot from the right corner | 66-61 |
| 00:35 | Illinois | Richard Baker pulls down the rebound | 66-61 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (0) | |
| 00:32 | Illinois | Richard Baker is hacked by Chris Gilmore in the backcourt - foul #3 on Chris Gilmore, team foul #10 | 66-61 |
| Subs | Illinois | Jim Boyarski (SF) Vincent Hadley | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 00:32 | Illinois | Richard Baker misses the 1st free throw | 66-61 |
| 00:32 | Illinois | Richard Baker misses the 2nd free throw | 66-61 |
| 00:32 | Ohio State | John Osborn snags the defensive board | 66-61 |
| 00:25 | Ohio State | David Vides hits the front of the rim on the 3 from the right wing | 66-61 |
| 00:23 | Illinois | Willie Howard gets the rebound | 66-61 |
| 00:22 | Illinois | David Vides is called for the reach on Willie Howard in the backcourt - foul #5 on David Vides, team foul #11 | 66-61 |
| Subs | Illinois | Anthony Kaya (PF) Richard Baker | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Christopher Gries (SG) David Vides | |
| 00:22 | Illinois | Willie Howard makes the 1st free throw | 67-61 |
| 00:22 | Illinois | Willie Howard makes the 2nd free throw | 68-61 |
| 00:16 | Ohio State | John Osborn throws a bad pass out of bounds | 68-61 |
| Subs | Illinois | Vincent Hadley (SF) Jim Boyarski | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 00:14 | Illinois | Ernest Nix is hacked by Christopher Gries in the backcourt - foul #1 on Christopher Gries, team foul #12 | 68-61 |
| 00:14 | Illinois | Ernest Nix makes the 1st free throw | 69-61 |
| 00:14 | Illinois | Ernest Nix makes the 2nd free throw | 70-61 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (0) | |
| 00:07 | Ohio State | Chris Gilmore knocks in the 3pt jumper from straight away on a great pass from Christopher Gries | 70-64 |
| 00:06 | Illinois | Chris Gilmore is called for the reach on Derek Whatley in the backcourt - foul #4 on Chris Gilmore, team foul #13 | 70-64 |
| Subs | Illinois | Jim Boyarski (SF) Vincent Hadley | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 00:06 | Illinois | Derek Whatley makes the 1st free throw | 71-64 |
| 00:06 | Illinois | Derek Whatley makes the 2nd free throw | 72-64 |
| 00:02 | Ohio State | Chris Gilmore can't connect on a 3pt attempt from the left wing | 72-64 |
| 00:00 | Illinois | Anthony Kaya grabs the defensive rebound | 72-64 |