| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Ronnie Krinsky (fresh) 4 pts. SG - Christopher Brassard (fresh) 3 pts. SF - Lechoslaw Zach (fresh) 4 pts. 2 stl. PF - Adam Merrill (fresh) 4 pts. 6 reb. C - Walter Tucker (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Mikel Paczkowski (fresh) 2 ast. SG - John Mock (fresh) 7 pts. 1 ast. SF - Robert Hayes (fresh) 6 pts. PF - Chad Birkholz (fresh) C - John Vance (fresh) 10 pts. 5 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Northwestern | Robert Hayes inbounds the ball | 35-29 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| 19:45 | Northwestern | John Vance loses the dribble to Walter Tucker | 35-29 |
| 19:39 | Michigan State | John Mock steps in front of the Ronnie Krinsky pass | 35-29 |
| 19:35 | Northwestern | John Mock lays it up and in | 35-31 |
| 19:15 | Michigan State | Walter Tucker scores on a 3pt shot from straight away | 38-31 |
| 19:10 | Northwestern | John Mock scores on a 3 pointer from the left corner set up by Mikel Paczkowski | 38-34 |
| 18:45 | Michigan State | Walter Tucker makes the 3 from the left wing set up by Ronnie Krinsky | 41-34 |
| 18:42 | Northwestern | John Mock's pass is off the mark and out of bounds in the backcourt | 41-34 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Rex Casner (PG), Jeff Jefferson (SG), Robert Cobb (SF), John England (PF), James Moody (C) Ronnie Krinsky, Christopher Brassard, Lechoslaw Zach, Adam Merrill, Walter Tucker | |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Patterson (PG), Ed Dixon (SG), Michael Davis (SF), Thomas Johnson (PF), Stephen Brown (C) Mikel Paczkowski, John Mock, Robert Hayes, Chad Birkholz, John Vance | |
| 18:29 | Michigan State | Rex Casner buries a 3pt jumper from the left wing on a great pass from Jeff Jefferson | 44-34 |
| 18:23 | Northwestern | Ed Dixon misses long on a 3pt attempt from the right corner | 44-34 |
| 18:22 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to John England | 44-34 |
| 18:17 | Michigan State | Robert Cobb's fadeaway is rejected by Stephen Brown | 44-34 |
| 18:15 | Michigan State | John England grabs the offensive rebound | 44-34 |
| 18:01 | Michigan State | Rex Casner knocks in the fadeaway jumper from the right side on a nice dish by Jeff Jefferson | 46-34 |
| 17:46 | Northwestern | John Patterson lays it in | 46-36 |
| 17:40 | Michigan State | James Moody jams it set up by Jeff Jefferson | 48-36 |
| 17:38 | Northwestern | Jeff Jefferson takes the ball from Michael Davis in the backcourt | 48-36 |
| 17:18 | Michigan State | Stephen Brown is called for the reach on James Moody - foul #1 on Stephen Brown, team foul #1 | 48-36 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Ronnie Krinsky (PG), Christopher Brassard (SG), Lechoslaw Zach (SF), Leroy Duvall (PF), Charles Bonar (C) Rex Casner, Jeff Jefferson, Robert Cobb, John England, James Moody | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jimmy Quinn (PG), John Mock (SG), Robert Hayes (SF), Cedric Hacker (PF), John Vance (C) John Patterson, Ed Dixon, Michael Davis, Thomas Johnson, Stephen Brown | |
| 17:04 | Michigan State | Christopher Brassard clanks a 3 from the right wing | 48-36 |
| 17:03 | Michigan State | Charles Bonar misses the tip | 48-36 |
| 17:01 | Northwestern | John Vance grabs the defensive rebound | 48-36 |
| 16:56 | Northwestern | John Vance is hacked by Leroy Duvall - foul #3 on Leroy Duvall, team foul #1 | 48-36 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Adam Merrill (PF) Leroy Duvall | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 16:40 | Northwestern | Robert Hayes can't connect on a fadeaway near the basket | 48-36 |
| 16:39 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to Lechoslaw Zach | 48-36 |
| 16:32 | Michigan State | Adam Merrill can't connect on an uncontested floater from the left side | 48-36 |
| 16:30 | Northwestern | Robert Hayes gets the rebound | 48-36 |
| 16:28 | Northwestern | Robert Hayes is fouled in the backcourt by Christopher Brassard - foul #3 on Christopher Brassard, team foul #2 | 48-36 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Jeff Jefferson (SG), Walter Tucker (C) Christopher Brassard, Charles Bonar | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Mikel Paczkowski (PG), Chad Birkholz (PF) Jimmy Quinn, Cedric Hacker | |
| 16:12 | Northwestern | Chad Birkholz knocks in the jump hook from the right block on a nice dish by John Mock | 48-38 |
| 16:10 | Michigan State | Walter Tucker is hacked by John Mock in the backcourt - foul #2 on John Mock, team foul #2 | 48-38 |
| 15:50 | Michigan State | Adam Merrill can't connect on a driving attempt in the lane | 48-38 |
| 15:49 | Michigan State | Walter Tucker tips it home | 50-38 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Ronnie Krinsky (tiring) 4 pts. 1 ast. SG - Jeff Jefferson (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. SF - Lechoslaw Zach (tiring) 4 pts. 2 reb. 2 stl. PF - Adam Merrill (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 6 reb. C - Walter Tucker (fairly fresh) 10 pts. 4 reb. 2 blk. 2 stl. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Mikel Paczkowski (fairly fresh) 3 ast. SG - John Mock (fairly fresh) 12 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SF - Robert Hayes (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 2 reb. PF - Chad Birkholz (fairly fresh) 2 pts. C - John Vance (fairly fresh) 10 pts. 6 reb. | |
| 15:31 | Northwestern | John Vance buries a floater from the left side | 50-40 |
| 15:11 | Michigan State | Ronnie Krinsky can't connect on a 3pt shot from the left wing | 50-40 |
| 15:09 | Northwestern | John Mock grabs the board | 50-40 |
| 14:43 | Northwestern | Chad Birkholz steps out of bounds on the baseline | 50-40 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Rex Casner (PG), Christopher Brassard (SG), Leroy Duvall (SF), James Moody (PF), Charles Bonar (C) Ronnie Krinsky, Jeff Jefferson, Lechoslaw Zach, Adam Merrill, Walter Tucker | |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Patterson (SG), Ed Dixon (SF) John Mock, Robert Hayes | |
| 14:32 | Michigan State | James Moody drills a turnaround from close range set up by Rex Casner | 52-40 |
| 14:29 | Northwestern | Rex Casner steals the ball from Ed Dixon in the backcourt | 52-40 |
| 14:20 | Michigan State | Charles Bonar's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 52-40 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Mock (SG), Cedric Hacker (PF) Chad Birkholz, John Vance | |
| 13:58 | Northwestern | John Mock misses short on a driving attempt from the baseline but the foul's on Christopher Brassard - foul #4 on Christopher Brassard, team foul #3 | 52-40 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Jeff Jefferson (SG), Lechoslaw Zach (SF), Adam Merrill (PF), John England (C) Christopher Brassard, Leroy Duvall, James Moody, Charles Bonar | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Robert Hayes (SF), Thomas Johnson (C) Mikel Paczkowski, Ed Dixon | |
| 13:58 | Northwestern | John Mock makes the 1st free throw | 52-41 |
| 13:58 | Northwestern | John Mock misses the 2nd free throw | 52-41 |
| 13:58 | Michigan State | John England grabs the board | 52-41 |
| 13:46 | Michigan State | Rex Casner is called for traveling | 52-41 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Chad Birkholz (PF) Cedric Hacker | |
| 13:35 | Northwestern | John Patterson knocks in the runner in the paint | 52-43 |
| 13:16 | Michigan State | Jeff Jefferson is fouled on the floor by John Patterson - foul #1 on John Patterson, team foul #3 | 52-43 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Ronnie Krinsky (PG), Robert Cobb (SF), Walter Tucker (C) Jeff Jefferson, Lechoslaw Zach, Adam Merrill | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jimmy Quinn (PG), Stephen Brown (C) John Mock, Thomas Johnson | |
| 12:56 | Michigan State | Stephen Brown swats the shot by Rex Casner | 52-43 |
| 12:55 | Northwestern | Robert Hayes gets the rebound | 52-43 |
| 12:52 | Northwestern | John Patterson's pass is intercepted by Walter Tucker in the backcourt | 52-43 |
| 12:40 | Michigan State | Walter Tucker misses badly on a 3pt jumper from the right corner | 52-43 |
| 12:38 | Northwestern | Robert Hayes pulls down the rebound | 52-43 |
| 12:24 | Northwestern | Robert Hayes's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 52-43 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Jeff Jefferson (SG), Lechoslaw Zach (SF), Adam Merrill (PF), James Moody (C) Rex Casner, Robert Cobb, John England, Walter Tucker | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Mikel Paczkowski (PG), John Mock (SG), Michael Davis (SF), Thomas Johnson (PF), John Vance (C) Jimmy Quinn, John Patterson, Robert Hayes, Chad Birkholz, Stephen Brown | |
| 12:07 | Michigan State | James Moody can't connect on a jumpshot from the free throw line | 52-43 |
| 12:05 | Michigan State | James Moody can't tip it in | 52-43 |
| 12:04 | Northwestern | Thomas Johnson grabs the board | 52-43 |
| 12:00 | Northwestern | John Mock misses short on a 3pt jumper from straight away | 52-43 |
| 11:59 | Northwestern | John Vance pulls down the offensive rebound | 52-43 |
| 11:40 | Northwestern | Michael Davis knocks in the shot in the lane on a nice dish by Mikel Paczkowski and he's fouled by Lechoslaw Zach - foul #3 on Lechoslaw Zach, team foul #4 | 52-45 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Leroy Duvall (SF), Charles Bonar (C) Lechoslaw Zach, Adam Merrill | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Cedric Hacker (PF) Thomas Johnson | |
| 11:40 | Northwestern | Michael Davis makes the free throw | 52-46 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Ronnie Krinsky (tired) 4 pts. 1 ast. SG - Jeff Jefferson (tired) 2 pts. 3 reb. SF - Leroy Duvall (fresh) 4 pts. 3 pf. PF - James Moody (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 6 reb. C - Charles Bonar (fresh) 4 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Mikel Paczkowski (tiring) 4 ast. SG - John Mock (tired) 13 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SF - Michael Davis (fairly fresh) 3 pts. PF - Cedric Hacker (fresh) 2 reb. C - John Vance (tiring) 12 pts. 7 reb. | |
| 11:15 | Michigan State | Jeff Jefferson misses short on a 3 pointer from the right corner | 52-46 |
| 11:13 | Northwestern | Michael Davis grabs the board | 52-46 |
| 11:09 | Northwestern | Mikel Paczkowski misses the fadeaway from the right side but he's fouled by Ronnie Krinsky - foul #2 on Ronnie Krinsky, team foul #5 | 52-46 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Rex Casner (PG), Robert Cobb (SG), Lechoslaw Zach (SF) Ronnie Krinsky, Jeff Jefferson, Leroy Duvall | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Ed Dixon (SF), Chad Birkholz (PF) Michael Davis, Cedric Hacker | |
| 11:09 | Northwestern | Mikel Paczkowski makes the 1st free throw | 52-47 |
| 11:09 | Northwestern | Mikel Paczkowski makes the 2nd free throw | 52-48 |
| 11:03 | Michigan State | Robert Cobb is hacked by John Mock in the backcourt - foul #3 on John Mock, team foul #4 | 52-48 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Walter Tucker (C) Charles Bonar | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Robert Hayes (SF) John Mock | |
| 10:47 | Michigan State | Lechoslaw Zach throws a bad pass out of bounds | 52-48 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Adam Merrill (PF) James Moody | |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Patterson (SG) Mikel Paczkowski | |
| 10:45 | Northwestern | John Patterson is whistled for traveling in the backcourt | 52-48 |
| 10:33 | Michigan State | Rex Casner clanks a shot from the left wing but the foul's on Ed Dixon - foul #1 on Ed Dixon, team foul #5 | 52-48 |
| Subs | Michigan State | John England (C) Walter Tucker | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Thomas Johnson (PF) Chad Birkholz | |
| 10:33 | Michigan State | Rex Casner makes the 1st free throw | 53-48 |
| 10:33 | Michigan State | Rex Casner makes the 2nd free throw | 54-48 |
| 10:31 | Northwestern | Robert Hayes is hacked by Lechoslaw Zach in the backcourt - foul #4 on Lechoslaw Zach, team foul #6 | 54-48 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Ronnie Krinsky (PG), Jeff Jefferson (SG) Rex Casner, Lechoslaw Zach | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 10:07 | Northwestern | John England blocks the short jumper by John Patterson | 54-48 |
| 10:06 | Michigan State | Adam Merrill snags the defensive board | 54-48 |
| 10:06 | Michigan State | Michigan State calls a full timeout (2 :30 1 full remaining) | 54-48 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Leroy Duvall (SF), Charles Bonar (C) Robert Cobb, John England | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Mikel Paczkowski (PG), John Mock (SG), Cedric Hacker (PF), Stephen Brown (C) Ed Dixon, John Patterson, Thomas Johnson, John Vance | |
| 10:04 | Michigan State | Mikel Paczkowski picks off the pass by Leroy Duvall in the backcourt | 54-48 |
| 09:43 | Northwestern | Cedric Hacker's fadeaway is rejected by Leroy Duvall | 54-48 |
| 09:42 | Michigan State | Charles Bonar snags the defensive board | 54-48 |
| 09:38 | Michigan State | Ronnie Krinsky hits the front of the rim on the wide open pull-up jumper from the left side | 54-48 |
| 09:37 | Michigan State | Adam Merrill tips it but misses | 54-48 |
| 09:35 | Michigan State | Jeff Jefferson grabs the offensive rebound | 54-48 |
| 09:19 | Michigan State | Mikel Paczkowski picks off the pass by Leroy Duvall | 54-48 |
| 09:19 | Northwestern | Northwestern calls a full timeout (2 :30 1 full remaining) | 54-48 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Rex Casner (PG), Robert Cobb (SG), James Moody (PF) Ronnie Krinsky, Jeff Jefferson, Adam Merrill | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jimmy Quinn (PG), Michael Davis (SG), Thomas Johnson (PF) Mikel Paczkowski, John Mock, Robert Hayes | |
| 09:03 | Northwestern | Stephen Brown misses badly on a jumpshot from the left wing but the foul's on Robert Cobb - foul #3 on Robert Cobb, team foul #7 | 54-48 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Ronnie Krinsky (PG) Leroy Duvall | |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Mock (SG) Cedric Hacker | |
| 09:03 | Northwestern | Stephen Brown makes the 1st free throw | 54-49 |
| 09:03 | Northwestern | Stephen Brown makes the 2nd free throw | 54-50 |
| 08:45 | Michigan State | Rex Casner is by himself and knocks in the jumpshot from the left wing set up by Ronnie Krinsky | 56-50 |
| 08:43 | Northwestern | John Mock is fouled in the backcourt by Ronnie Krinsky - foul #3 on Ronnie Krinsky, team foul #8 | 56-50 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Walter Tucker (C) Charles Bonar | |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Patterson (PG), Ed Dixon (SF), Chad Birkholz (PF), John Vance (C) Jimmy Quinn, Michael Davis, Thomas Johnson, Stephen Brown | |
| 08:43 | Northwestern | John Mock makes the 1st free throw | 56-51 |
| 08:43 | Northwestern | John Mock makes the 2nd free throw | 56-52 |
| 08:22 | Michigan State | Ronnie Krinsky drills a runner near the basket and he's fouled by John Patterson - foul #2 on John Patterson, team foul #6 | 58-52 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Jeff Jefferson (SG), John England (PF) Rex Casner, James Moody | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Robert Hayes (SF) Ed Dixon | |
| 08:22 | Michigan State | Ronnie Krinsky misses the free throw | 58-52 |
| 08:22 | Northwestern | Chad Birkholz grabs the board | 58-52 |
| 08:00 | Northwestern | Robert Hayes is hacked by Robert Cobb - foul #4 on Robert Cobb, team foul #9 | 58-52 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Rex Casner (PG), Christopher Brassard (SG), Lechoslaw Zach (SF) Ronnie Krinsky, Jeff Jefferson, Robert Cobb | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Mikel Paczkowski (PG) John Patterson | |
| 08:00 | Northwestern | Robert Hayes misses the 1st free throw | 58-52 |
| 08:00 | Michigan State | Walter Tucker gets the rebound | 58-52 |
| 07:46 | Michigan State | Lechoslaw Zach is hacked by Chad Birkholz - foul #1 on Chad Birkholz, team foul #7 | 58-52 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Adam Merrill (PF) Walter Tucker | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Ed Dixon (SG), Cedric Hacker (PF) John Mock, Chad Birkholz | |
| 07:46 | Michigan State | Lechoslaw Zach makes the 1st free throw | 59-52 |
| 07:46 | Michigan State | Lechoslaw Zach makes the 2nd free throw | 60-52 |
| 07:30 | Northwestern | Cedric Hacker misses the easy layup but the foul's on Adam Merrill - foul #2 on Adam Merrill, team foul #10 | 60-52 |
| Subs | Michigan State | James Moody (C) John England | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 07:30 | Northwestern | Cedric Hacker makes the 1st free throw | 60-53 |
| 07:30 | Northwestern | Cedric Hacker makes the 2nd free throw | 60-54 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Rex Casner (tiring) 11 pts. 3 ast. 4 stl. SG - Christopher Brassard (fresh) 3 pts. 4 pf. SF - Lechoslaw Zach (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 2 reb. 2 stl. 4 pf. PF - Adam Merrill (tiring) 4 pts. 8 reb. C - James Moody (fresh) 8 pts. 6 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Mikel Paczkowski (tired) 2 pts. 4 ast. 3 stl. SG - Ed Dixon (fairly fresh) SF - Robert Hayes (tiring) 6 pts. 4 reb. PF - Cedric Hacker (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. C - John Vance (tiring) 12 pts. 7 reb. | |
| 07:28 | Michigan State | Christopher Brassard is hacked by Ed Dixon in the backcourt - foul #2 on Ed Dixon, team foul #8 | 60-54 |
| 07:28 | Michigan State | Christopher Brassard makes the 1st free throw | 61-54 |
| 07:28 | Michigan State | Christopher Brassard makes the 2nd free throw | 62-54 |
| 07:09 | Northwestern | John Vance hits the front of the rim on the pull-up jumper from just outside the lane but he's hacked by Christopher Brassard - foul #5 on Christopher Brassard, team foul #11 | 62-54 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Ronnie Krinsky (PG), Jeff Jefferson (SG), Leroy Duvall (PF) Rex Casner, Christopher Brassard, Adam Merrill | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jimmy Quinn (PG), John Patterson (SG), Michael Davis (SF), Thomas Johnson (PF) Mikel Paczkowski, Ed Dixon, Robert Hayes, Cedric Hacker | |
| 07:09 | Northwestern | John Vance makes the 1st free throw | 62-55 |
| 07:09 | Northwestern | John Vance makes the 2nd free throw | 62-56 |
| 06:59 | Michigan State | Lechoslaw Zach throws a bad pass out of bounds | 62-56 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Charles Bonar (C) James Moody | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Chad Birkholz (PF) John Vance | |
| 06:43 | Northwestern | Michael Davis drills a jump hook from the baseline | 62-58 |
| 06:37 | Michigan State | Ronnie Krinsky loses the ball out of bounds | 62-58 |
| Subs | Michigan State | James Moody (PF) Leroy Duvall | |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Mock (SG), Robert Hayes (SF) Jimmy Quinn, Michael Davis | |
| 06:13 | Northwestern | Thomas Johnson misses long on a fadeaway jumper from the free throw line | 62-58 |
| 06:12 | Northwestern | John Patterson tips it but misses | 62-58 |
| 06:10 | Michigan State | Charles Bonar grabs the defensive rebound | 62-58 |
| 06:05 | Michigan State | Jeff Jefferson buries a shot from the right side on a great pass from Lechoslaw Zach | 64-58 |
| 05:46 | Northwestern | Robert Hayes misses the 3 pointer from straight away | 64-58 |
| 05:45 | Michigan State | James Moody grabs the board | 64-58 |
| 05:41 | Michigan State | Ronnie Krinsky can't connect on a 3pt attempt from straight away | 64-58 |
| 05:39 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to John Patterson | 64-58 |
| 05:37 | Northwestern | John Mock is called for the offensive foul in the backcourt - foul #4 on John Mock, team foul #9 | 64-58 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Rex Casner (PG), Robert Cobb (SG), Adam Merrill (PF), Walter Tucker (C) Ronnie Krinsky, Jeff Jefferson, James Moody, Charles Bonar | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Mikel Paczkowski (PG), Ed Dixon (SF), Cedric Hacker (PF), Stephen Brown (C) John Patterson, Robert Hayes, Chad Birkholz, Thomas Johnson | |
| 05:20 | Michigan State | Walter Tucker hits the front of the rim on the 3pt jumper from the right corner | 64-58 |
| 05:18 | Northwestern | Cedric Hacker gets the rebound | 64-58 |
| 05:14 | Northwestern | Lechoslaw Zach is called for the reach on Ed Dixon in the backcourt - foul #5 on Lechoslaw Zach, team foul #12 | 64-58 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Leroy Duvall (SF), John England (PF) Lechoslaw Zach, Adam Merrill | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Michael Davis (SF) John Mock | |
| 05:14 | Northwestern | Ed Dixon makes the 1st free throw | 64-59 |
| 05:14 | Northwestern | Ed Dixon misses the 2nd free throw | 64-59 |
| 05:14 | Michigan State | Walter Tucker grabs the defensive rebound | 64-59 |
| 04:48 | Michigan State | John England hits the finger roll | 66-59 |
| 04:45 | Northwestern | Robert Cobb steps in front of the Mikel Paczkowski pass in the backcourt | 66-59 |
| 04:43 | Michigan State | Rex Casner lays it up and in on a nice dish by Robert Cobb | 68-59 |
| 04:37 | Northwestern | Mikel Paczkowski can't connect on a fadeaway from just outside the lane | 68-59 |
| 04:35 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to Leroy Duvall | 68-59 |
| 04:31 | Michigan State | Rex Casner misses badly on a jumpshot from the left wing | 68-59 |
| 04:29 | Northwestern | Stephen Brown pulls down the rebound | 68-59 |
| 04:24 | Northwestern | Mikel Paczkowski clanks a fadeaway from the right side | 68-59 |
| 04:22 | Northwestern | Michael Davis grabs the offensive board | 68-59 |
| 03:59 | Northwestern | Cedric Hacker's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 68-59 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Ronnie Krinsky (PG), Jeff Jefferson (SG), Adam Merrill (PF), James Moody (C) Rex Casner, Robert Cobb, John England, Walter Tucker | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jimmy Quinn (PG), John Mock (SG), Robert Hayes (SF), Chad Birkholz (PF), John Vance (C) Mikel Paczkowski, Ed Dixon, Michael Davis, Cedric Hacker, Stephen Brown | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (-1) | |
| 03:42 | Michigan State | Leroy Duvall misses the 3pt attempt from the left corner | 68-59 |
| 03:40 | Northwestern | Jimmy Quinn grabs the board | 68-59 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense (uptempo) and a fullcourt press (-1) | |
| 03:26 | Northwestern | John Vance scores on a runner near the basket on a great pass from John Mock | 68-61 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Ronnie Krinsky (tired) 6 pts. 2 ast. 3 pf. SG - Jeff Jefferson (tired) 4 pts. 4 reb. SF - Leroy Duvall (tiring) 4 pts. 2 reb. 3 pf. PF - Adam Merrill (tiring) 4 pts. 8 reb. C - James Moody (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 7 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Jimmy Quinn (fairly fresh) 4 reb. SG - John Mock (tired) 15 pts. 3 ast. 2 stl. 4 pf. SF - Robert Hayes (tiring) 6 pts. 4 reb. PF - Chad Birkholz (tired) 2 pts. 2 reb. C - John Vance (tiring) 16 pts. 7 reb. | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense (uptempo) and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| 03:24 | Michigan State | Jeff Jefferson is whistled for a carry in the backcourt | 68-61 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Robert Cobb (SF) Leroy Duvall | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Thomas Johnson (PF) Chad Birkholz | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| 03:09 | Northwestern | John Mock double dribbles | 68-61 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Patterson (PG) Jimmy Quinn | |
| 03:05 | Michigan State | John Patterson picks off the pass by Jeff Jefferson in the backcourt | 68-61 |
| 03:00 | Northwestern | John Mock hits the front of the rim on the 3 from straight away | 68-61 |
| 02:59 | Northwestern | John Vance tips it in | 68-63 |
| 02:59 | Michigan State | Michigan State calls a full timeout (2 :30 remaining) | 68-63 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Charles Bonar (C) Ronnie Krinsky | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 02:44 | Michigan State | The pull-up jumper by Robert Cobb is blocked by John Vance | 68-63 |
| 02:43 | Michigan State | James Moody gets the offensive rebound | 68-63 |
| 02:28 | Michigan State | Jeff Jefferson is hacked by Thomas Johnson - foul #1 on Thomas Johnson, team foul #10 | 68-63 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Rex Casner (PG), Leroy Duvall (SF), John England (C) James Moody, Robert Cobb, Charles Bonar | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Mikel Paczkowski (PG), Chad Birkholz (PF) John Mock, Thomas Johnson | |
| 02:28 | Northwestern | Northwestern calls a full timeout (2 :30 remaining) | 68-63 |
| 02:28 | Michigan State | Jeff Jefferson misses the 1st free throw | 68-63 |
| 02:28 | Michigan State | Jeff Jefferson misses the 2nd free throw | 68-63 |
| 02:28 | Northwestern | John Vance grabs the defensive rebound | 68-63 |
| 02:24 | Northwestern | Robert Hayes is open and buries a jumper from the baseline on a nice dish by Chad Birkholz | 68-65 |
| 02:24 | Michigan State | Michigan State calls a :30 timeout (1 :30 remaining) | 68-65 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Ronnie Krinsky (PG), Charles Bonar (C) Jeff Jefferson, Adam Merrill | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Stephen Brown (C) John Vance | |
| 02:10 | Michigan State | Ronnie Krinsky knocks in the 3 from the right corner on a nice dish by Rex Casner | 71-65 |
| 01:47 | Northwestern | Chad Birkholz misses badly on a 3pt jumper from the right wing | 71-65 |
| 01:46 | Northwestern | Stephen Brown can't tip it in | 71-65 |
| 01:44 | Michigan State | John England grabs the board | 71-65 |
| 01:44 | Michigan State | Michigan State calls a :30 timeout (none remaining) | 71-65 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Jeff Jefferson (SG), Robert Cobb (SF), Adam Merrill (PF), Walter Tucker (C) Rex Casner, Leroy Duvall, John England, Charles Bonar | |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Mock (SG), John Vance (C) John Patterson, Stephen Brown | |
| 01:42 | Michigan State | Mikel Paczkowski steals the ball from Robert Cobb in the backcourt | 71-65 |
| 01:27 | Northwestern | Robert Hayes hits a turnaround from the baseline | 71-67 |
| 01:03 | Michigan State | Adam Merrill scores on a shot from the right block and the foul's on Mikel Paczkowski - foul #3 on Mikel Paczkowski, team foul #11 | 73-67 |
| 01:03 | Northwestern | Northwestern calls a :30 timeout (1 :30 remaining) | 73-67 |
| 01:03 | Michigan State | Adam Merrill makes the free throw | 74-67 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense (uptempo) and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| 00:47 | Northwestern | John Vance clanks a jump hook from the right block but he's hacked by Ronnie Krinsky - foul #4 on Ronnie Krinsky, team foul #13 | 74-67 |
| 00:47 | Northwestern | John Vance makes the 1st free throw | 74-68 |
| 00:47 | Northwestern | John Vance misses the 2nd free throw | 74-68 |
| 00:47 | Michigan State | Walter Tucker pulls down the rebound | 74-68 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense (uptempo) and intentionally fouling (-2) | |
| 00:45 | Michigan State | Mikel Paczkowski is called for the reach on Walter Tucker in the backcourt - foul #4 on Mikel Paczkowski, team foul #12 | 74-68 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Rex Casner (SG), John England (PF) Robert Cobb, Adam Merrill | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 00:45 | Michigan State | Walter Tucker makes the 1st free throw | 75-68 |
| 00:45 | Michigan State | Walter Tucker makes the 2nd free throw | 76-68 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (-2) | |
| 00:39 | Northwestern | Chad Birkholz is by himself and knocks in the 3pt attempt from the left wing on a nice dish by Robert Hayes | 76-71 |
| 00:38 | Michigan State | John England is hacked by Mikel Paczkowski in the backcourt - foul #5 on Mikel Paczkowski, team foul #13 | 76-71 |
| Subs | Michigan State | James Moody (C) Walter Tucker | |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Patterson (PG) Mikel Paczkowski | |
| 00:38 | Michigan State | John England makes the 1st free throw | 77-71 |
| 00:38 | Michigan State | John England makes the 2nd free throw | 78-71 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (-2) | |
| 00:31 | Northwestern | John Patterson misses long on a 3pt attempt from the right corner | 78-71 |
| 00:29 | Northwestern | John Vance snags the offensive board | 78-71 |
| 00:29 | Northwestern | Northwestern calls a :30 timeout (none remaining) | 78-71 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Robert Cobb (SF), Adam Merrill (PF), Walter Tucker (C) Rex Casner, John England, James Moody | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 00:25 | Northwestern | Chad Birkholz makes the 3pt attempt from the left corner on a great pass from Robert Hayes | 78-74 |
| 00:23 | Michigan State | Jeff Jefferson is fouled in the backcourt by John Patterson - foul #3 on John Patterson, team foul #14 | 78-74 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Rex Casner (SG) Robert Cobb | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 00:23 | Michigan State | Jeff Jefferson misses the 1st free throw | 78-74 |
| 00:23 | Michigan State | Jeff Jefferson makes the 2nd free throw | 79-74 |
| 00:17 | Northwestern | John Vance loses the ball out of bounds | 79-74 |
| Subs | Michigan State | John England (PF), James Moody (C) Adam Merrill, Walter Tucker | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 00:16 | Michigan State | John Patterson is called for the reach on Ronnie Krinsky in the backcourt - foul #4 on John Patterson, team foul #15 | 79-74 |
| 00:16 | Michigan State | Ronnie Krinsky makes the 1st free throw | 80-74 |
| 00:16 | Michigan State | Ronnie Krinsky misses the 2nd free throw | 80-74 |
| 00:16 | Northwestern | Chad Birkholz gets the rebound | 80-74 |
| 00:11 | Northwestern | John Mock comes up short on the 3pt jumper from the right wing | 80-74 |
| 00:09 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to James Moody | 80-74 |
| 00:06 | Michigan State | James Moody is hacked by John Patterson in the backcourt - foul #5 on John Patterson, team foul #16 | 80-74 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Ed Dixon (PG) John Patterson | |
| 00:06 | Michigan State | James Moody misses the 1st free throw | 80-74 |
| 00:06 | Michigan State | James Moody makes the 2nd free throw | 81-74 |
| 00:01 | Northwestern | Robert Hayes buries a 3pt attempt from the right wing | 81-77 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| 00:00 | Michigan State | Ronnie Krinsky runs out the clock | 81-77 |