| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - David Brennan (fresh) 9 pts. 2 ast. SG - Matthew Burris (fresh) 2 pts. SF - Christopher Brannum (fresh) 10 pts. 4 reb. 3 stl. PF - Peter Vezina (fresh) C - David Dietrick (fresh) 4 pts. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Alan Dutil (fresh) 3 ast. SG - Gregory Weiner (fresh) 2 pts. 1 ast. SF - Rodney Cordeiro (fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. PF - James Mansfield (fresh) 8 pts. C - Henry Earwood (fresh) 6 pts. 5 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Michigan State | Christopher Brannum inbounds the ball | 42-40 |
| 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 and a fullcourt press (-1) | |
| 19:43 | Michigan State | Peter Vezina can't connect on a driving attempt near the basket | 42-40 |
| 19:42 | Northwestern | Henry Earwood grabs the board | 42-40 |
| 19:40 | Northwestern | Gregory Weiner is fouled in the backcourt by Matthew Burris - foul #2 on Matthew Burris, team foul #1 | 42-40 |
| Subs | Michigan State | James Hamby (PF) Peter Vezina | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 19:31 | Northwestern | Gregory Weiner slams it home on a great pass from Alan Dutil and he's hacked by James Hamby - foul #2 on James Hamby, team foul #2 | 42-42 |
| 19:31 | Northwestern | Gregory Weiner makes the free throw | 42-43 |
| 19:15 | Michigan State | James Hamby hits the front of the rim on the fadeaway from the right wing but he's hacked by James Mansfield - foul #1 on James Mansfield, team foul #1 | 42-43 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Walter Nagata (SG), Marvin Snow (C) Matthew Burris, David Dietrick | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Bruce West (SF), John Fishburn (PF) Rodney Cordeiro, James Mansfield | |
| 19:15 | Michigan State | James Hamby makes the 1st free throw | 43-43 |
| 19:15 | Michigan State | James Hamby misses the 2nd free throw | 43-43 |
| 19:15 | Northwestern | Henry Earwood gets the rebound | 43-43 |
| 19:09 | Northwestern | Gregory Weiner hits the easy wide open finger roll on a nice dish by Alan Dutil | 43-45 |
| 19:07 | Michigan State | Bruce West is called for the reach on Christopher Brannum in the backcourt - foul #1 on Bruce West, team foul #2 | 43-45 |
| Subs | Michigan State | David Miller (SG), Andre Palacio (C) David Brennan, Christopher Brannum | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Sterling Smith (SG), Orlando Hancock (C) Gregory Weiner, Henry Earwood | |
| 18:53 | Michigan State | David Miller is whistled for traveling | 43-45 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Carl Burgett (SF) James Hamby | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Ralph Gibson (SG) Alan Dutil | |
| 18:40 | Northwestern | Orlando Hancock is hacked by Andre Palacio - foul #1 on Andre Palacio, team foul #3 | 43-45 |
| 18:13 | Northwestern | Orlando Hancock comes up short on the shot near the basket | 43-45 |
| 18:12 | Michigan State | Marvin Snow pulls down the rebound | 43-45 |
| 17:53 | Michigan State | David Miller makes the wide open 3pt jumper from straight away | 46-45 |
| 17:48 | Northwestern | Sterling Smith buries a fadeaway from the left wing on a great pass from Bruce West | 46-47 |
| 17:43 | Michigan State | David Miller is hacked by Ralph Gibson in the backcourt - foul #3 on Ralph Gibson, team foul #3 | 46-47 |
| Subs | Michigan State | David Brennan (PG), Matthew Burris (SG), Christopher Brannum (SF), Peter Vezina (PF), David Dietrick (C) Walter Nagata, David Miller, Carl Burgett, Marvin Snow, Andre Palacio | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Alan Dutil (PG), Gregory Weiner (SG), Rodney Cordeiro (SF), James Mansfield (PF), Henry Earwood (C) Sterling Smith, Ralph Gibson, Bruce West, John Fishburn, Orlando Hancock | |
| 17:18 | Michigan State | James Mansfield is called for the reach on David Brennan - foul #2 on James Mansfield, team foul #4 | 46-47 |
| Subs | Michigan State | James Hamby (PF) Peter Vezina | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 17:04 | Michigan State | Christopher Brannum is denied on a layup by Rodney Cordeiro | 46-47 |
| 17:02 | Michigan State | David Brennan tips it home | 48-47 |
| 16:42 | Northwestern | Rodney Cordeiro misses long on a 3 from the left wing | 48-47 |
| 16:41 | Michigan State | Matthew Burris grabs the defensive rebound | 48-47 |
| 16:36 | Michigan State | David Brennan knocks in the 3 from the left corner on a great pass from James Hamby | 51-47 |
| 16:34 | Northwestern | Gregory Weiner is fouled in the backcourt by Christopher Brannum - foul #3 on Christopher Brannum, team foul #4 | 51-47 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Don Caruthers (SG), Peter Vezina (PF) Matthew Burris, Christopher Brannum | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Michael Harber (SF) Rodney Cordeiro | |
| 16:20 | Northwestern | Gregory Weiner is denied on a layup by Peter Vezina | 51-47 |
| 16:18 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to James Hamby | 51-47 |
| 15:52 | Michigan State | David Dietrick misses short on a fadeaway near the basket | 51-47 |
| 15:50 | Northwestern | Gregory Weiner snags the defensive board | 51-47 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - David Brennan (fairly fresh) 14 pts. 2 ast. SG - Don Caruthers (fresh) 3 ast. 2 stl. SF - James Hamby (tiring) 7 pts. 3 reb. PF - Peter Vezina (fairly fresh) C - David Dietrick (tiring) 4 pts. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Alan Dutil (fairly fresh) 5 ast. SG - Gregory Weiner (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 1 ast. SF - Michael Harber (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. PF - James Mansfield (tiring) 8 pts. C - Henry Earwood (tiring) 6 pts. 7 reb. | |
| 15:22 | Northwestern | Henry Earwood blows the dunk | 51-47 |
| 15:20 | Michigan State | Don Caruthers snags the defensive board | 51-47 |
| 14:57 | Michigan State | David Brennan can't connect on a jumpshot from the free throw line | 51-47 |
| 14:55 | Michigan State | David Dietrick grabs the offensive rebound | 51-47 |
| 14:46 | Michigan State | Peter Vezina can't connect on a 3pt jumper from the left wing | 51-47 |
| 14:44 | Northwestern | Gregory Weiner gets the rebound | 51-47 |
| 14:40 | Northwestern | Alan Dutil buries a fadeaway jumper from the left side on a nice dish by Gregory Weiner | 51-49 |
| 14:38 | Michigan State | Don Caruthers is whistled for a carry in the backcourt | 51-49 |
| Subs | Michigan State | David Miller (PG), Matthew Burris (SG), Christopher Brannum (SF), Marvin Snow (C) David Brennan, Don Caruthers, James Hamby, David Dietrick | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Sterling Smith (PG), Ralph Gibson (SG), Bruce West (SF), John Fishburn (PF), Orlando Hancock (C) Alan Dutil, Gregory Weiner, Michael Harber, James Mansfield, Henry Earwood | |
| 14:23 | Northwestern | John Fishburn hits the finger roll | 51-51 |
| 14:21 | Michigan State | Bruce West steals the ball from David Miller in the backcourt | 51-51 |
| 14:19 | Northwestern | Bruce West misses the easy layup | 51-51 |
| 14:17 | Michigan State | Marvin Snow grabs the defensive rebound | 51-51 |
| 14:11 | Michigan State | Matthew Burris throws a bad pass out of bounds | 51-51 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Rodney Cordeiro (SF) John Fishburn | |
| 13:59 | Northwestern | Sterling Smith comes up short on the fadeaway from the left wing | 51-51 |
| 13:58 | Northwestern | Bruce West pulls down the offensive rebound | 51-51 |
| 13:38 | Northwestern | Bruce West is fouled on the floor by Peter Vezina - foul #1 on Peter Vezina, team foul #5 | 51-51 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Walter Nagata (PG), Carl Burgett (SF), Andre Palacio (PF) David Miller, Christopher Brannum, Peter Vezina | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Anthony Brown (PG), Henry Earwood (C) Ralph Gibson, Orlando Hancock | |
| 13:24 | Northwestern | Sterling Smith travels with the ball | 51-51 |
| 13:02 | Michigan State | Carl Burgett can't connect on an uncontested jumper in the paint | 51-51 |
| 13:01 | Northwestern | Anthony Brown pulls down the rebound | 51-51 |
| 12:57 | Northwestern | Sterling Smith's pass is off the mark and out of bounds in the backcourt | 51-51 |
| Subs | Michigan State | David Brennan (PG), James Hamby (PF), David Dietrick (C) Matthew Burris, Andre Palacio, Marvin Snow | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Gregory Weiner (SG), John Fishburn (PF) Sterling Smith, Bruce West | |
| 12:32 | Michigan State | David Brennan misses the 3 pointer from the left corner | 51-51 |
| 12:31 | Northwestern | Rodney Cordeiro grabs the board | 51-51 |
| 12:25 | Northwestern | Gregory Weiner is hacked by Carl Burgett - foul #2 on Carl Burgett, team foul #6 | 51-51 |
| Subs | Michigan State | David Miller (SG), Christopher Brannum (SF), Andre Palacio (PF) Walter Nagata, Carl Burgett, James Hamby | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Alan Dutil (PG), Orlando Hancock (C) Anthony Brown, Henry Earwood | |
| 12:12 | Northwestern | David Dietrick denies the turnaround by John Fishburn | 51-51 |
| 12:11 | Michigan State | Christopher Brannum grabs the defensive rebound | 51-51 |
| 12:08 | Michigan State | Alan Dutil is called for the reach on David Brennan in the backcourt - foul #1 on Alan Dutil, team foul #5 | 51-51 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Matthew Burris (SG), Peter Vezina (PF) David Brennan, David Dietrick | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Bruce West (PF) John Fishburn | |
| 11:53 | Michigan State | Peter Vezina hits a 3 from the right corner on a nice dish by David Miller | 54-51 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - David Miller (fresh) 3 pts. 4 ast. SG - Matthew Burris (tiring) 2 pts. SF - Christopher Brannum (fresh) 10 pts. 5 reb. 3 stl. 3 pf. PF - Peter Vezina (tired) 3 pts. C - Andre Palacio (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Alan Dutil (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 5 ast. SG - Gregory Weiner (tiring) 7 pts. 2 ast. SF - Rodney Cordeiro (tiring) 2 pts. 5 reb. PF - Bruce West (tiring) 5 pts. 3 reb. C - Orlando Hancock (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 4 reb. | |
| 11:31 | Northwestern | The short jumper by Bruce West is denied by Peter Vezina | 54-51 |
| 11:30 | Northwestern | Bruce West tips it in | 54-53 |
| 11:26 | Michigan State | David Miller is hacked by Orlando Hancock in the backcourt - foul #3 on Orlando Hancock, team foul #6 | 54-53 |
| Subs | Michigan State | David Brennan (PG), Marvin Snow (PF), James Hamby (C) David Miller, Peter Vezina, Andre Palacio | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Ralph Gibson (SG), James Mansfield (PF), Henry Earwood (C) Gregory Weiner, Bruce West, Orlando Hancock | |
| 11:04 | Michigan State | David Brennan misses long on a jumper from the left side but he's fouled by James Mansfield - foul #3 on James Mansfield, team foul #7 | 54-53 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Don Caruthers (SG) Matthew Burris | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Bruce West (SF) Rodney Cordeiro | |
| 11:04 | Michigan State | David Brennan misses the 1st free throw | 54-53 |
| 11:04 | Michigan State | David Brennan makes the 2nd free throw | 55-53 |
| 11:02 | Northwestern | Don Caruthers steals the ball from Alan Dutil in the backcourt | 55-53 |
| 11:01 | Michigan State | Don Caruthers hits the finger roll | 57-53 |
| 10:52 | Northwestern | Ralph Gibson misses the floater from the left side | 57-53 |
| 10:51 | Northwestern | Alan Dutil tips it home | 57-55 |
| 10:49 | Michigan State | Bruce West steals it from David Brennan in the backcourt | 57-55 |
| 10:31 | Northwestern | Bruce West connects on the shot from the baseline set up by Ralph Gibson | 57-57 |
| 10:27 | Michigan State | Bruce West is called for the reach on David Brennan in the backcourt - foul #2 on Bruce West, team foul #8 | 57-57 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Walter Nagata (SG), David Dietrick (C) Don Caruthers, James Hamby | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Anthony Brown (PG), Sterling Smith (SG), Rodney Cordeiro (SF), John Fishburn (PF), Orlando Hancock (C) Alan Dutil, Ralph Gibson, Bruce West, James Mansfield, Henry Earwood | |
| 10:27 | Michigan State | David Brennan misses the 1st free throw | 57-57 |
| 10:27 | Northwestern | John Fishburn gets the rebound | 57-57 |
| 10:21 | Northwestern | Anthony Brown misses the jumper from the free throw line | 57-57 |
| 10:20 | Michigan State | Walter Nagata pulls down the rebound | 57-57 |
| 10:16 | Michigan State | David Brennan is open and buries a jumper from the free throw line on a nice dish by Marvin Snow | 59-57 |
| 10:13 | Northwestern | John Fishburn is fouled in the backcourt by David Brennan - foul #1 on David Brennan, team foul #7 | 59-57 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Matthew Burris (SG), Peter Vezina (PF) David Brennan, Marvin Snow | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 10:13 | Northwestern | John Fishburn makes the 1st free throw | 59-58 |
| 10:13 | Northwestern | John Fishburn makes the 2nd free throw | 59-59 |
| 09:55 | Michigan State | Christopher Brannum is called for the illegal screen - foul #4 on Christopher Brannum, team foul #8 | 59-59 |
| Subs | Michigan State | David Miller (PG), Carl Burgett (SF) Matthew Burris, Christopher Brannum | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Alan Dutil (PG), Michael Harber (SF) Anthony Brown, Rodney Cordeiro | |
| 09:40 | Northwestern | Michael Harber misses short on a turnaround in the paint | 59-59 |
| 09:38 | Northwestern | Orlando Hancock grabs the offensive rebound | 59-59 |
| 09:31 | Northwestern | Orlando Hancock is hacked by David Dietrick - foul #2 on David Dietrick, team foul #9 | 59-59 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Matthew Burris (SG), Andre Palacio (PF) Walter Nagata, Peter Vezina | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Gregory Weiner (SG), James Mansfield (PF), Henry Earwood (C) Sterling Smith, Michael Harber, John Fishburn | |
| 09:31 | Northwestern | Orlando Hancock makes the 1st free throw | 59-60 |
| 09:31 | Northwestern | Orlando Hancock makes the 2nd free throw | 59-61 |
| 09:17 | Michigan State | James Mansfield steps in front of the David Dietrick pass | 59-61 |
| 09:09 | Northwestern | Alan Dutil hits the front of the rim on the 3 from the left corner | 59-61 |
| 09:08 | Michigan State | David Dietrick grabs the defensive rebound | 59-61 |
| 09:03 | Michigan State | David Miller drills a 3pt shot from the right wing on a great pass from Carl Burgett | 62-61 |
| 08:53 | Northwestern | James Mansfield's fadeaway is rejected by David Dietrick | 62-61 |
| 08:52 | Northwestern | Gregory Weiner grabs the offensive board | 62-61 |
| 08:33 | Northwestern | Orlando Hancock drills a fadeaway from the free throw line on a nice dish by Alan Dutil | 62-63 |
| 08:27 | Michigan State | Carl Burgett comes up short on the fadeaway from the left side | 62-63 |
| 08:26 | Michigan State | Andre Palacio grabs the offensive board | 62-63 |
| 08:21 | Michigan State | David Dietrick can't connect on an uncontested 3 from the right wing | 62-63 |
| 08:20 | Michigan State | David Miller grabs the offensive rebound | 62-63 |
| 08:04 | Michigan State | Carl Burgett hits the front of the rim on the wide open fadeaway jumper from the free throw line | 62-63 |
| 08:02 | Michigan State | Carl Burgett pulls down the offensive rebound | 62-63 |
| 07:37 | Michigan State | Carl Burgett can't connect on a 3pt jumper from straight away | 62-63 |
| 07:35 | Michigan State | Matthew Burris tips it home | 64-63 |
| 07:35 | Northwestern | Northwestern calls a full timeout (2 :30 1 full remaining) | 64-63 |
| Subs | Michigan State | David Brennan (PG), Don Caruthers (SG), Christopher Brannum (SF), James Hamby (PF), Marvin Snow (C) David Miller, Matthew Burris, Carl Burgett, Andre Palacio, David Dietrick | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Sterling Smith (PG), Ralph Gibson (SG), Michael Harber (SF), John Fishburn (PF), Bruce West (C) Alan Dutil, Gregory Weiner, Orlando Hancock, James Mansfield, Henry Earwood | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - David Brennan (fresh) 17 pts. 2 ast. SG - Don Caruthers (fresh) 2 pts. 3 ast. 3 stl. SF - Christopher Brannum (fresh) 10 pts. 5 reb. 3 stl. 4 pf. PF - James Hamby (tiring) 7 pts. 3 reb. C - Marvin Snow (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 5 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Sterling Smith (fresh) 5 pts. SG - Ralph Gibson (fresh) 6 pts. 2 ast. 3 pf. SF - Michael Harber (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. PF - John Fishburn (fresh) 6 pts. 4 reb. C - Bruce West (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 4 reb. 2 stl. | |
| 07:17 | Northwestern | Marvin Snow steps in front of the Bruce West pass | 64-63 |
| 06:58 | Michigan State | Marvin Snow misses long on a 3 pointer from the left corner | 64-63 |
| 06:57 | Michigan State | David Brennan hits the follow up shot | 66-63 |
| 06:55 | Northwestern | Ralph Gibson is fouled in the backcourt by Don Caruthers - foul #1 on Don Caruthers, team foul #10 | 66-63 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Anthony Brown (PG), Rodney Cordeiro (SF) Sterling Smith, Michael Harber | |
| 06:55 | Northwestern | Ralph Gibson makes the 1st free throw | 66-64 |
| 06:55 | Northwestern | Ralph Gibson makes the 2nd free throw | 66-65 |
| 06:38 | Michigan State | Don Caruthers clanks a 3 pointer from straight away | 66-65 |
| 06:37 | Northwestern | Bruce West pulls down the rebound | 66-65 |
| 06:32 | Northwestern | Anthony Brown makes the shot from the left side | 66-67 |
| 06:30 | Michigan State | Bruce West picks off the pass by Christopher Brannum in the backcourt | 66-67 |
| 06:15 | Northwestern | Marvin Snow picks off the pass by Bruce West | 66-67 |
| 06:13 | Michigan State | Rodney Cordeiro is called for the reach on David Brennan in the backcourt - foul #2 on Rodney Cordeiro, team foul #9 | 66-67 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Walter Nagata (SG), Peter Vezina (PF) Don Caruthers, James Hamby | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Sterling Smith (SG) Ralph Gibson | |
| 06:13 | Michigan State | David Brennan makes the 1st free throw | 67-67 |
| 06:13 | Michigan State | David Brennan makes the 2nd free throw | 68-67 |
| 05:47 | Northwestern | John Fishburn misses short on a driving attempt from close range but he's hacked by Peter Vezina - foul #2 on Peter Vezina, team foul #11 | 68-67 |
| Subs | Michigan State | James Hamby (C) Marvin Snow | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Gregory Weiner (SG), Michael Harber (SF) Anthony Brown, Rodney Cordeiro | |
| 05:47 | Northwestern | John Fishburn makes the 1st free throw | 68-68 |
| 05:47 | Northwestern | John Fishburn misses the 2nd free throw | 68-68 |
| 05:47 | Michigan State | James Hamby gets the rebound | 68-68 |
| 05:45 | Michigan State | Walter Nagata is hacked by Gregory Weiner in the backcourt - foul #2 on Gregory Weiner, team foul #10 | 68-68 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Henry Earwood (C) John Fishburn | |
| 05:45 | Michigan State | Walter Nagata makes the 1st free throw | 69-68 |
| 05:45 | Michigan State | Walter Nagata makes the 2nd free throw | 70-68 |
| 05:32 | Northwestern | James Hamby takes the ball from Bruce West | 70-68 |
| 05:11 | Michigan State | David Brennan is fouled on the floor by Michael Harber - foul #1 on Michael Harber, team foul #11 | 70-68 |
| Subs | Michigan State | David Miller (SG), David Dietrick (C) Walter Nagata, James Hamby | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Alan Dutil (PG), Rodney Cordeiro (SF), John Fishburn (PF) Gregory Weiner, Michael Harber, Bruce West | |
| 05:11 | Michigan State | David Brennan makes the 1st free throw | 71-68 |
| 05:11 | Michigan State | David Brennan makes the 2nd free throw | 72-68 |
| 05:08 | Northwestern | Alan Dutil is fouled in the backcourt by David Miller - foul #1 on David Miller, team foul #12 | 72-68 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Walter Nagata (SG) David Brennan | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 05:08 | Northwestern | Alan Dutil makes the 1st free throw | 72-69 |
| 05:08 | Northwestern | Alan Dutil makes the 2nd free throw | 72-70 |
| 05:04 | Michigan State | Rodney Cordeiro is called for the reach on Christopher Brannum in the backcourt - foul #3 on Rodney Cordeiro, team foul #12 | 72-70 |
| 05:04 | Michigan State | Christopher Brannum makes the 1st free throw | 73-70 |
| 05:04 | Michigan State | Christopher Brannum makes the 2nd free throw | 74-70 |
| 04:40 | Northwestern | Sterling Smith comes up short on the 3pt shot from the left wing | 74-70 |
| 04:39 | Northwestern | Rodney Cordeiro hits the follow up shot | 74-72 |
| 04:37 | Michigan State | Christopher Brannum's pass is intercepted by Rodney Cordeiro in the backcourt | 74-72 |
| 04:17 | Northwestern | Christopher Brannum is called for the reach on Alan Dutil - foul #5 on Christopher Brannum, team foul #13 | 74-72 |
| Subs | Michigan State | David Brennan (PG), Matthew Burris (SG), Carl Burgett (SF), Marvin Snow (PF), Andre Palacio (C) David Miller, Walter Nagata, Christopher Brannum, Peter Vezina, David Dietrick | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Gregory Weiner (SG), James Mansfield (PF), Orlando Hancock (C) Sterling Smith, John Fishburn, Henry Earwood | |
| 04:17 | Northwestern | Alan Dutil misses the 1st free throw | 74-72 |
| 04:17 | Northwestern | Alan Dutil misses the 2nd free throw | 74-72 |
| 04:17 | Michigan State | Marvin Snow grabs the board | 74-72 |
| 04:12 | Michigan State | David Brennan comes up short on the runner from the right block | 74-72 |
| 04:11 | Michigan State | Marvin Snow gets the offensive rebound | 74-72 |
| 03:55 | Michigan State | Matthew Burris clanks a 3pt attempt from straight away | 74-72 |
| 03:53 | Northwestern | James Mansfield gets the rebound | 74-72 |
| 03:25 | Northwestern | James Mansfield double dribbles | 74-72 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Don Caruthers (SG), James Hamby (PF) Matthew Burris, Andre Palacio | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Anthony Brown (PG), Ralph Gibson (SG), Michael Harber (SF), Bruce West (C) Alan Dutil, Gregory Weiner, Rodney Cordeiro, Orlando Hancock | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - David Brennan (tiring) 23 pts. 2 ast. SG - Don Caruthers (fresh) 2 pts. 3 ast. 3 stl. SF - Carl Burgett (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 3 reb. PF - James Hamby (tired) 7 pts. 4 reb. C - Marvin Snow (tired) 2 pts. 7 reb. 2 stl. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Anthony Brown (fresh) 2 pts. 3 pf. SG - Ralph Gibson (fresh) 8 pts. 2 ast. 3 pf. SF - Michael Harber (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. PF - James Mansfield (tired) 8 pts. 2 reb. 3 pf. C - Bruce West (tiring) 9 pts. 5 reb. 3 stl. | |
| 03:08 | Michigan State | Marvin Snow misses long on a jumper from the left wing | 74-72 |
| 03:07 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Ralph Gibson | 74-72 |
| 03:03 | Northwestern | Anthony Brown comes up short on the jumpshot from the right side but the foul's on Marvin Snow - foul #1 on Marvin Snow, team foul #14 | 74-72 |
| Subs | Michigan State | David Miller (SG) David Brennan | |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Fishburn (PF) James Mansfield | |
| 03:03 | Northwestern | Anthony Brown misses the 1st free throw | 74-72 |
| 03:03 | Northwestern | Anthony Brown makes the 2nd free throw | 74-73 |
| 02:41 | Michigan State | Ralph Gibson is called for the reach on David Miller - foul #4 on Ralph Gibson, team foul #13 | 74-73 |
| Subs | Michigan State | David Dietrick (C) Marvin Snow | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Gregory Weiner (SG), Henry Earwood (C) Ralph Gibson, John Fishburn | |
| 02:41 | Michigan State | David Miller makes the 1st free throw | 75-73 |
| 02:41 | Michigan State | David Miller misses the 2nd free throw | 75-73 |
| 02:41 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Henry Earwood | 75-73 |
| 02:17 | Northwestern | Henry Earwood scores on a floater in the paint set up by Anthony Brown and he's hacked by David Dietrick - foul #3 on David Dietrick, team foul #15 | 75-75 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Walter Nagata (PG), Matthew Burris (SG), Andre Palacio (PF) David Miller, Don Caruthers, Carl Burgett | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Alan Dutil (PG), Sterling Smith (SG), Orlando Hancock (SF), John Fishburn (PF) Anthony Brown, Gregory Weiner, Michael Harber, Bruce West | |
| 02:17 | Northwestern | Henry Earwood makes the free throw | 75-76 |
| 01:56 | Michigan State | Andre Palacio comes up short on the fadeaway in the paint but he's hacked by Orlando Hancock - foul #4 on Orlando Hancock, team foul #14 | 75-76 |
| Subs | Michigan State | David Brennan (PG) Walter Nagata | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Gregory Weiner (SG), Rodney Cordeiro (SF), James Mansfield (PF) Sterling Smith, Orlando Hancock, John Fishburn | |
| 01:56 | Northwestern | Northwestern calls a full timeout (2 :30 remaining) | 75-76 |
| 01:56 | Michigan State | Andre Palacio makes the 1st free throw | 76-76 |
| 01:56 | Michigan State | Andre Palacio misses the 2nd free throw | 76-76 |
| 01:56 | Northwestern | James Mansfield snags the defensive board | 76-76 |
| 01:44 | Northwestern | Gregory Weiner is wide open but clanks a shot from the right side | 76-76 |
| 01:43 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to James Hamby | 76-76 |
| 01:38 | Michigan State | Matthew Burris misses long on a 3pt attempt from the left corner | 76-76 |
| 01:37 | Northwestern | Rodney Cordeiro grabs the defensive rebound | 76-76 |
| 01:35 | Northwestern | Matthew Burris is called for the reach on Gregory Weiner in the backcourt - foul #3 on Matthew Burris, team foul #16 | 76-76 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Peter Vezina (PF) Andre Palacio | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 01:35 | Michigan State | Michigan State calls a full timeout (2 :30 2 full remaining) | 76-76 |
| 01:35 | Northwestern | Gregory Weiner makes the 1st free throw | 76-77 |
| 01:35 | Northwestern | Gregory Weiner makes the 2nd free throw | 76-78 |
| 01:15 | Michigan State | Matthew Burris makes the wide open 3pt shot from the left wing | 79-78 |
| 01:15 | Northwestern | Northwestern calls a :30 timeout (1 :30 remaining) | 79-78 |
| 01:10 | Northwestern | Rodney Cordeiro loses the ball out of bounds in the backcourt | 79-78 |
| 00:57 | Michigan State | Peter Vezina's floater is tipped away by Rodney Cordeiro | 79-78 |
| 00:56 | Northwestern | Rodney Cordeiro snags the defensive board | 79-78 |
| 00:51 | Northwestern | Gregory Weiner is by himself and knocks in the jumper from the right block set up by Alan Dutil | 79-80 |
| 00:51 | Michigan State | Michigan State calls a full timeout (2 :30 1 full remaining) | 79-80 |
| 00:31 | Michigan State | Matthew Burris hits the front of the rim on the 3 pointer from straight away | 79-80 |
| 00:30 | Northwestern | Alan Dutil snags the defensive board | 79-80 |
| 00:30 | Northwestern | Northwestern calls a :30 timeout (none remaining) | 79-80 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a fastbreak offense and intentionally fouling (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (-1) | |
| 00:28 | Northwestern | James Mansfield is fouled in the backcourt by Matthew Burris - foul #4 on Matthew Burris, team foul #17 | 79-80 |
| 00:28 | Michigan State | Michigan State calls a full timeout (2 :30 remaining) | 79-80 |
| 00:28 | Northwestern | James Mansfield misses the 1st free throw | 79-80 |
| 00:28 | Northwestern | James Mansfield makes the 2nd free throw | 79-81 |
| 00:10 | Michigan State | David Dietrick misses short on a shot from the baseline but he's hacked by Henry Earwood - foul #2 on Henry Earwood, team foul #15 | 79-81 |
| 00:10 | Michigan State | Michigan State calls a :30 timeout (1 :30 remaining) | 79-81 |
| 00:10 | Michigan State | David Dietrick makes the 1st free throw | 80-81 |
| 00:10 | Michigan State | David Dietrick misses the 2nd free throw | 80-81 |
| 00:10 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to James Mansfield | 80-81 |
| 00:08 | Northwestern | James Mansfield is hacked by David Brennan in the backcourt - foul #2 on David Brennan, team foul #18 | 80-81 |
| 00:08 | Northwestern | James Mansfield makes the 1st free throw | 80-82 |
| 00:08 | Northwestern | James Mansfield misses the 2nd free throw | 80-82 |
| 00:08 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to David Dietrick | 80-82 |
| 00:06 | Michigan State | James Hamby's pass is off the mark and out of bounds in the backcourt | 80-82 |
| 00:05 | Northwestern | David Brennan is called for the reach on Alan Dutil - foul #3 on David Brennan, team foul #19 | 80-82 |
| 00:05 | Northwestern | Alan Dutil makes the 1st free throw | 80-83 |
| 00:05 | Northwestern | Alan Dutil makes the 2nd free throw | 80-84 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (-1) | |
| 00:00 | Michigan State | David Brennan clanks a 3pt attempt from the left corner | 80-84 |