| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Thomas Perkins (fresh) 5 pts. 2 ast. SG - Cristopher English (fresh) 6 pts. 2 stl. SF - Roy Smith (fresh) 3 pts. PF - William Zuberbuhler (fresh) 3 pts. 6 reb. C - Russ Wescott (fresh) 3 reb. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Gary Sharpe (fresh) 8 pts. 4 ast. SG - Jonathan Hargis (fresh) 6 pts. 1 ast. SF - Ernesto Caballero (fresh) 5 pts. 1 ast. PF - Jamie Smith (fresh) 5 pts. 7 reb. C - Nestor Panek (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Northwestern | Ernesto Caballero inbounds the ball | 35-41 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense and a man to man (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (+2) | |
| 19:39 | Northwestern | Jonathan Hargis drills a 3pt shot from straight away on a great pass from Ernesto Caballero | 35-44 |
| 19:21 | Illinois | Thomas Perkins hits a 3pt attempt from the right wing set up by William Zuberbuhler | 38-44 |
| 19:13 | Northwestern | Jamie Smith clanks a 3 from the left wing | 38-44 |
| 19:12 | Northwestern | Nestor Panek snags the offensive board | 38-44 |
| 19:00 | Northwestern | Jamie Smith misses badly on a 3pt shot from straight away | 38-44 |
| 18:59 | Illinois | Russ Wescott grabs the board | 38-44 |
| 18:54 | Illinois | Cristopher English is called for traveling in the backcourt | 38-44 |
| Subs | Illinois | James Meadows (SF) Roy Smith | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Steve Hayworth (SF) Jonathan Hargis | |
| 18:32 | Northwestern | Jamie Smith connects on the runner near the basket on a nice dish by Gary Sharpe | 38-46 |
| 18:20 | Illinois | Russ Wescott is whistled for traveling | 38-46 |
| Subs | Illinois | Stephen Worsham (SG), Walter Bowen (SF), Charles Campbell (PF), Peter Freedman (C) Thomas Perkins, Cristopher English, William Zuberbuhler, Russ Wescott | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Dana Driver (PG), Dustin Thomas (SF), James Robinson (PF), Steve Mattingly (C) Gary Sharpe, Ernesto Caballero, Jamie Smith, Nestor Panek | |
| 18:02 | Northwestern | Dana Driver misses short on a shot from the left wing | 38-46 |
| 18:00 | Northwestern | The offensive rebound goes to James Robinson | 38-46 |
| 17:47 | Northwestern | James Robinson loses the dribble to Charles Campbell | 38-46 |
| 17:24 | Illinois | Steve Hayworth steps in front of the Stephen Worsham pass | 38-46 |
| 16:55 | Northwestern | Dana Driver is whistled for traveling | 38-46 |
| Subs | Illinois | Thomas Perkins (PG), Cristopher English (SG), Roy Smith (SF), William Zuberbuhler (PF), Russ Wescott (C) James Meadows, Stephen Worsham, Walter Bowen, Charles Campbell, Peter Freedman | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Gary Sharpe (PG), Jonathan Hargis (SG), Ernesto Caballero (SF), Leroy Delgadillo (PF), Nestor Panek (C) Dana Driver, Steve Hayworth, Dustin Thomas, James Robinson, Steve Mattingly | |
| 16:43 | Illinois | Roy Smith hits the front of the rim on the pull-up jumper from the right side | 38-46 |
| 16:41 | Illinois | Roy Smith tips it home | 40-46 |
| 16:27 | Northwestern | Gary Sharpe's pass is intercepted by Cristopher English | 40-46 |
| 16:11 | Illinois | Roy Smith connects on the fadeaway from just outside the lane on a great pass from Thomas Perkins and the foul's on Leroy Delgadillo - foul #1 on Leroy Delgadillo, team foul #1 | 42-46 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jamie Smith (PF) Leroy Delgadillo | |
| 16:11 | Illinois | Roy Smith misses the free throw | 42-46 |
| 16:11 | Northwestern | Jonathan Hargis pulls down the rebound | 42-46 |
| 15:57 | Northwestern | Nestor Panek can't finish the layup | 42-46 |
| 15:55 | Illinois | Cristopher English grabs the board | 42-46 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Thomas Perkins (fresh) 8 pts. 3 ast. SG - Cristopher English (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 3 stl. SF - Roy Smith (fresh) 7 pts. PF - William Zuberbuhler (fresh) 3 pts. 6 reb. C - Russ Wescott (fresh) 4 reb. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Gary Sharpe (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 5 ast. SG - Jonathan Hargis (fresh) 9 pts. 1 ast. SF - Ernesto Caballero (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 2 ast. PF - Jamie Smith (fresh) 7 pts. 7 reb. C - Nestor Panek (fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. | |
| 15:36 | Illinois | Cristopher English buries a 3pt attempt from the left corner | 45-46 |
| 15:14 | Northwestern | Nestor Panek hits a floater from the left side | 45-48 |
| 14:55 | Illinois | Cristopher English comes up short on the floater from the right wing but he's fouled by Jamie Smith - foul #2 on Jamie Smith, team foul #2 | 45-48 |
| Subs | Illinois | James Meadows (PG), Walter Bowen (SF), Charles Campbell (PF), Peter Freedman (C) Thomas Perkins, Roy Smith, William Zuberbuhler, Russ Wescott | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Dana Driver (PG), Charles Letourneau (SF), Steve Mattingly (PF), Leroy Delgadillo (C) Gary Sharpe, Ernesto Caballero, Jamie Smith, Nestor Panek | |
| 14:55 | Illinois | Cristopher English makes the 1st free throw | 46-48 |
| 14:55 | Illinois | Cristopher English makes the 2nd free throw | 47-48 |
| 14:37 | Northwestern | Steve Mattingly clanks a jumper from the left side | 47-48 |
| 14:36 | Northwestern | The offensive rebound goes to Leroy Delgadillo | 47-48 |
| 14:26 | Northwestern | Jonathan Hargis hits the front of the rim on the fadeaway from the right side | 47-48 |
| 14:25 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Walter Bowen | 47-48 |
| 14:06 | Illinois | Peter Freedman buries a jump hook from the left block and the foul's on Leroy Delgadillo - foul #2 on Leroy Delgadillo, team foul #3 | 49-48 |
| Subs | Illinois | Stephen Worsham (SG) Cristopher English | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Gary Sharpe (PG), Steve Hayworth (SG), James Robinson (PF) Dana Driver, Jonathan Hargis, Leroy Delgadillo | |
| 14:06 | Illinois | Peter Freedman makes the free throw | 50-48 |
| 13:49 | Northwestern | Steve Hayworth is fouled on the floor by Stephen Worsham - foul #2 on Stephen Worsham, team foul #1 | 50-48 |
| Subs | Illinois | Thomas Perkins (PG) Stephen Worsham | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jamie Smith (PF) Steve Mattingly | |
| 13:38 | Northwestern | Gary Sharpe misses badly on a jumpshot from the right wing but he's hacked by Thomas Perkins - foul #3 on Thomas Perkins, team foul #2 | 50-48 |
| 13:38 | Northwestern | Gary Sharpe makes the 1st free throw | 50-49 |
| 13:38 | Northwestern | Gary Sharpe makes the 2nd free throw | 50-50 |
| 13:16 | Illinois | Walter Bowen drills a jumper in the lane | 52-50 |
| 12:56 | Northwestern | Gary Sharpe is hacked by Peter Freedman - foul #1 on Peter Freedman, team foul #3 | 52-50 |
| Subs | Illinois | Jerry Johnson (PG), Stephen Worsham (SG), Jeffrey Leedy (SF), William Zuberbuhler (PF), Russ Wescott (C) Thomas Perkins, James Meadows, Walter Bowen, Charles Campbell, Peter Freedman | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Dana Driver (PG), Jonathan Hargis (SG), Dustin Thomas (SF), Leroy Delgadillo (PF), Nestor Panek (C) Gary Sharpe, Steve Hayworth, Charles Letourneau, Jamie Smith, James Robinson | |
| 12:51 | Northwestern | Nestor Panek knocks in the jump hook near the basket on a nice dish by Dana Driver and he's fouled by Russ Wescott - foul #1 on Russ Wescott, team foul #4 | 52-52 |
| 12:51 | Northwestern | Nestor Panek makes the free throw | 52-53 |
| 12:36 | Illinois | Stephen Worsham hits the front of the rim on the jumpshot from the right side | 52-53 |
| 12:34 | Northwestern | Nestor Panek snags the defensive board | 52-53 |
| 12:21 | Northwestern | Leroy Delgadillo can't finish the layup | 52-53 |
| 12:19 | Illinois | Jeffrey Leedy grabs the board | 52-53 |
| 12:15 | Illinois | Jeffrey Leedy's pass is off the mark and out of bounds in the backcourt | 52-53 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Gary Sharpe (PG), Steve Mattingly (PF) Dana Driver, Leroy Delgadillo | |
| 11:56 | Northwestern | Dustin Thomas misses badly on a fadeaway from the baseline | 52-53 |
| 11:55 | Illinois | Russ Wescott pulls down the rebound | 52-53 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Jerry Johnson (fresh) SG - Stephen Worsham (fresh) 2 pts. 1 ast. SF - Jeffrey Leedy (fresh) PF - William Zuberbuhler (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 6 reb. C - Russ Wescott (fresh) 5 reb. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Gary Sharpe (fairly fresh) 10 pts. 5 ast. SG - Jonathan Hargis (tiring) 9 pts. 1 ast. SF - Dustin Thomas (fresh) 2 pts. PF - Steve Mattingly (fresh) 4 pts. 4 reb. C - Nestor Panek (fresh) 7 pts. 5 reb. | |
| 11:47 | Illinois | Stephen Worsham is hacked by Jonathan Hargis - foul #3 on Jonathan Hargis, team foul #4 | 52-53 |
| Subs | Illinois | Thomas Perkins (PG), James Meadows (SG), Roy Smith (SF) Jerry Johnson, Stephen Worsham, Jeffrey Leedy | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Steve Hayworth (SG), Charles Letourneau (SF) Jonathan Hargis, Dustin Thomas | |
| 11:26 | Illinois | James Meadows clanks a 3pt attempt from the left wing | 52-53 |
| 11:25 | Northwestern | Steve Mattingly gets the rebound | 52-53 |
| 11:21 | Northwestern | Gary Sharpe connects on the jump hook near the basket set up by Steve Hayworth | 52-55 |
| 11:03 | Illinois | Roy Smith drills a jumper from the right wing set up by William Zuberbuhler | 54-55 |
| 10:40 | Northwestern | Steve Mattingly misses the easy layup | 54-55 |
| 10:38 | Illinois | Russ Wescott grabs the defensive rebound | 54-55 |
| 10:23 | Illinois | Roy Smith knocks in the 3pt shot from the right wing set up by Thomas Perkins | 57-55 |
| 10:19 | Northwestern | Gary Sharpe buries a floater from the right side on a great pass from Charles Letourneau | 57-57 |
| 10:17 | Illinois | Thomas Perkins is hacked by Gary Sharpe in the backcourt - foul #3 on Gary Sharpe, team foul #5 | 57-57 |
| Subs | Illinois | Jerry Johnson (PG), Stephen Worsham (SG), Walter Bowen (SF), Charles Campbell (PF), Peter Freedman (C) Thomas Perkins, James Meadows, Roy Smith, William Zuberbuhler, Russ Wescott | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Dana Driver (PG), Ernesto Caballero (SG), Dustin Thomas (SF), Jamie Smith (PF), James Robinson (C) Gary Sharpe, Steve Hayworth, Charles Letourneau, Steve Mattingly, Nestor Panek | |
| 10:06 | Illinois | Ernesto Caballero steals the ball from Walter Bowen | 57-57 |
| 10:01 | Northwestern | Ernesto Caballero jams it | 57-59 |
| 09:46 | Illinois | Charles Campbell can't connect on a runner from the left block but he's fouled by Dana Driver - foul #1 on Dana Driver, team foul #6 | 57-59 |
| Subs | Illinois | Cristopher English (SG) Jerry Johnson | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Charles Letourneau (SF) Dustin Thomas | |
| 09:46 | Illinois | Charles Campbell makes the 1st free throw | 58-59 |
| 09:46 | Illinois | Charles Campbell makes the 2nd free throw | 59-59 |
| 09:31 | Northwestern | Charles Letourneau hits the front of the rim on the jumper from the left side | 59-59 |
| 09:29 | Illinois | Walter Bowen gets the rebound | 59-59 |
| 09:27 | Illinois | Stephen Worsham is hacked by Dana Driver in the backcourt - foul #2 on Dana Driver, team foul #7 | 59-59 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Leroy Delgadillo (C) James Robinson | |
| 09:27 | Illinois | Stephen Worsham makes the 1st free throw | 60-59 |
| 09:27 | Illinois | Stephen Worsham makes the 2nd free throw | 61-59 |
| 09:20 | Northwestern | Jamie Smith misses the pull-up jumper from the left side | 61-59 |
| 09:19 | Illinois | Stephen Worsham snags the defensive board | 61-59 |
| 09:15 | Illinois | Stephen Worsham loses the ball out of bounds in the backcourt | 61-59 |
| Subs | Illinois | Thomas Perkins (PG) Stephen Worsham | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 09:06 | Northwestern | Leroy Delgadillo knocks in the 3pt shot from straight away on a great pass from Dana Driver | 61-62 |
| 08:59 | Illinois | Walter Bowen makes the 3pt jumper from straight away | 64-62 |
| 08:52 | Northwestern | Dana Driver is called for traveling | 64-62 |
| Subs | Illinois | Stephen Worsham (SG), James Meadows (SF), Russ Wescott (C) Cristopher English, Walter Bowen, Peter Freedman | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jonathan Hargis (SG) Dana Driver | |
| 08:34 | Illinois | James Meadows misses short on an open fadeaway from the right wing | 64-62 |
| 08:32 | Illinois | James Meadows gets the offensive rebound | 64-62 |
| 08:20 | Illinois | Charles Letourneau steals the ball from James Meadows | 64-62 |
| 08:16 | Northwestern | Jonathan Hargis slams it home on a nice dish by Charles Letourneau | 64-64 |
| 08:13 | Illinois | Thomas Perkins is hacked by Charles Letourneau in the backcourt - foul #4 on Charles Letourneau, team foul #8 | 64-64 |
| Subs | Illinois | William Zuberbuhler (PF) Charles Campbell | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Gary Sharpe (PG), Steve Hayworth (SG), Dustin Thomas (SF), Nestor Panek (C) Ernesto Caballero, Jonathan Hargis, Charles Letourneau, Leroy Delgadillo | |
| 08:13 | Illinois | Thomas Perkins makes the 1st free throw | 65-64 |
| 08:13 | Illinois | Thomas Perkins makes the 2nd free throw | 66-64 |
| 07:56 | Northwestern | Jamie Smith double dribbles | 66-64 |
| Subs | Illinois | Jerry Johnson (PG), Cristopher English (SG), Walter Bowen (SF) Thomas Perkins, Stephen Worsham, James Meadows | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Jerry Johnson (fresh) SG - Cristopher English (fresh) 11 pts. 3 stl. SF - Walter Bowen (fresh) 10 pts. PF - William Zuberbuhler (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 6 reb. C - Russ Wescott (fairly fresh) 6 reb. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Gary Sharpe (tiring) 14 pts. 5 ast. 3 pf. SG - Steve Hayworth (fresh) 3 pts. SF - Dustin Thomas (fresh) 2 pts. PF - Jamie Smith (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 7 reb. C - Nestor Panek (fresh) 7 pts. 5 reb. | |
| 07:41 | Illinois | Jerry Johnson is fouled on the floor by Gary Sharpe - foul #4 on Gary Sharpe, team foul #9 | 66-64 |
| Subs | Illinois | Peter Freedman (C) Russ Wescott | |
| Subs | Northwestern | James Robinson (PF) Jamie Smith | |
| 07:41 | Illinois | Jerry Johnson makes the 1st free throw | 67-64 |
| 07:41 | Illinois | Jerry Johnson makes the 2nd free throw | 68-64 |
| 07:33 | Northwestern | James Robinson comes up short on the turnaround from close range | 68-64 |
| 07:31 | Northwestern | Dustin Thomas hits the follow up shot | 68-66 |
| 07:21 | Illinois | Cristopher English's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 68-66 |
| Subs | Illinois | Roy Smith (SF) William Zuberbuhler | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jonathan Hargis (SG), Charles Letourneau (SF), Steve Mattingly (C) Steve Hayworth, Dustin Thomas, Nestor Panek | |
| 06:58 | Northwestern | James Robinson clanks a shot from just outside the lane | 68-66 |
| 06:56 | Northwestern | James Robinson tips it but misses | 68-66 |
| 06:54 | Illinois | Roy Smith pulls down the rebound | 68-66 |
| 06:52 | Illinois | Cristopher English is called for traveling in the backcourt | 68-66 |
| Subs | Illinois | Thomas Perkins (PG), James Meadows (SG), William Zuberbuhler (PF), Charles Campbell (C) Jerry Johnson, Cristopher English, Peter Freedman, Walter Bowen | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Dana Driver (PG), Nestor Panek (C) Gary Sharpe, James Robinson | |
| 06:32 | Northwestern | Jonathan Hargis comes up short on the jumpshot from the left wing but he's hacked by Thomas Perkins - foul #4 on Thomas Perkins, team foul #5 | 68-66 |
| Subs | Illinois | Stephen Worsham (SG) Roy Smith | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Leroy Delgadillo (PF) Steve Mattingly | |
| 06:32 | Northwestern | Jonathan Hargis makes the 1st free throw | 68-67 |
| 06:32 | Northwestern | Jonathan Hargis makes the 2nd free throw | 68-68 |
| 06:03 | Illinois | Thomas Perkins misses badly on a 3pt shot from the right wing | 68-68 |
| 06:01 | Illinois | Charles Campbell tips it home | 70-68 |
| 05:32 | Northwestern | Dana Driver is hacked by Thomas Perkins - foul #5 on Thomas Perkins, team foul #6 | 70-68 |
| Subs | Illinois | Jerry Johnson (PG), Cristopher English (SG), Jeffrey Leedy (SF), Peter Freedman (PF), Russ Wescott (C) Thomas Perkins, Stephen Worsham, James Meadows, William Zuberbuhler, Charles Campbell | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Ernesto Caballero (PG), Steve Hayworth (SG), Dustin Thomas (SF), Jamie Smith (PF) Dana Driver, Jonathan Hargis, Charles Letourneau, Leroy Delgadillo | |
| 05:16 | Northwestern | Dustin Thomas hits the finger roll set up by Ernesto Caballero | 70-70 |
| 05:08 | Illinois | Steve Hayworth is called for the reach on Cristopher English - foul #2 on Steve Hayworth, team foul #10 | 70-70 |
| Subs | Illinois | Walter Bowen (SF) Jeffrey Leedy | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Steve Mattingly (C) Nestor Panek | |
| 05:08 | Illinois | Cristopher English misses the 1st free throw | 70-70 |
| 05:08 | Illinois | Cristopher English makes the 2nd free throw | 71-70 |
| 04:47 | Northwestern | Ernesto Caballero can't connect on a shot from the left side | 71-70 |
| 04:46 | Northwestern | Dustin Thomas tips it in | 71-72 |
| 04:19 | Illinois | The jump hook by Russ Wescott is blocked by Steve Mattingly | 71-72 |
| 04:18 | Northwestern | Dustin Thomas gets the rebound | 71-72 |
| 04:11 | Northwestern | Walter Bowen swats the shot by Dustin Thomas | 71-72 |
| 04:09 | Northwestern | Ernesto Caballero pulls down the offensive rebound | 71-72 |
| 03:54 | Northwestern | Russ Wescott steps in front of the Dustin Thomas pass | 71-72 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Jerry Johnson (fairly fresh) 2 pts. SG - Cristopher English (fairly fresh) 12 pts. 3 stl. SF - Walter Bowen (fairly fresh) 10 pts. PF - Peter Freedman (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 3 reb. C - Russ Wescott (fairly fresh) 6 reb. 2 blk. 2 stl. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Ernesto Caballero (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 3 ast. 2 stl. SG - Steve Hayworth (fairly fresh) 3 pts. SF - Dustin Thomas (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 3 reb. PF - Jamie Smith (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 7 reb. C - Steve Mattingly (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 5 reb. 2 blk. | |
| 03:52 | Illinois | Jerry Johnson throws a bad pass out of bounds in the backcourt | 71-72 |
| Subs | Illinois | James Meadows (PG), Stephen Worsham (SG), Roy Smith (SF), Charles Campbell (PF) Jerry Johnson, Cristopher English, Walter Bowen, Peter Freedman | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Gary Sharpe (PG), Jonathan Hargis (SG), Charles Letourneau (SF), James Robinson (PF), Nestor Panek (C) Ernesto Caballero, Steve Hayworth, Dustin Thomas, Jamie Smith, Steve Mattingly | |
| 03:40 | Northwestern | Gary Sharpe blows the layup | 71-72 |
| 03:39 | Illinois | Roy Smith pulls down the rebound | 71-72 |
| 03:33 | Illinois | Stephen Worsham scores on a fadeaway jumper from the left side on a great pass from Charles Campbell | 73-72 |
| 03:17 | Northwestern | Jonathan Hargis hits a floater from the right side on a great pass from Gary Sharpe | 73-74 |
| 03:15 | Illinois | Stephen Worsham is fouled in the backcourt by Jonathan Hargis - foul #4 on Jonathan Hargis, team foul #11 | 73-74 |
| Subs | Illinois | William Zuberbuhler (PF) Russ Wescott | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Dana Driver (PG), Leroy Delgadillo (C) Gary Sharpe, Nestor Panek | |
| 03:15 | Illinois | Stephen Worsham makes the 1st free throw | 74-74 |
| 03:15 | Illinois | Stephen Worsham makes the 2nd free throw | 75-74 |
| 02:49 | Northwestern | Charles Letourneau hits the finger roll on a nice dish by Jonathan Hargis | 75-76 |
| 02:49 | Illinois | Illinois calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 75-76 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Ernesto Caballero (SG), Steve Hayworth (SF), Steve Mattingly (C) Jonathan Hargis, Charles Letourneau, Leroy Delgadillo | |
| 02:33 | Illinois | Charles Campbell connects on the open driving attempt in the paint | 77-76 |
| 02:33 | Northwestern | Northwestern calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 77-76 |
| Subs | Illinois | Cristopher English (SG), Russ Wescott (C) Stephen Worsham, Charles Campbell | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Gary Sharpe (PG), Jamie Smith (PF), Nestor Panek (C) Dana Driver, James Robinson, Steve Mattingly | |
| 02:22 | Northwestern | Nestor Panek lays it in on a great pass from Gary Sharpe | 77-78 |
| 02:09 | Illinois | William Zuberbuhler knocks in the jumper in the paint | 79-78 |
| 01:57 | Northwestern | Steve Hayworth comes up short on the 3 from the right wing | 79-78 |
| 01:56 | Northwestern | Jamie Smith grabs the offensive rebound | 79-78 |
| 01:56 | Northwestern | Northwestern calls a full timeout (2 :30 2 full remaining) | 79-78 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jonathan Hargis (SG), Charles Letourneau (SF) Ernesto Caballero, Steve Hayworth | |
| 01:42 | Northwestern | Jonathan Hargis clanks a 3pt shot from the left corner | 79-78 |
| 01:41 | Illinois | Russ Wescott gets the rebound | 79-78 |
| 01:20 | Illinois | Charles Letourneau takes the ball from James Meadows | 79-78 |
| 00:58 | Northwestern | Nestor Panek misses the fadeaway from the free throw line | 79-78 |
| 00:57 | Illinois | Roy Smith grabs the board | 79-78 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (+2) | |
| 00:34 | Illinois | James Meadows loses the ball out of bounds | 79-78 |
| 00:16 | Northwestern | Jamie Smith is fouled on the floor by William Zuberbuhler - foul #2 on William Zuberbuhler, team foul #7 | 79-78 |
| 00:16 | Northwestern | Jamie Smith makes the 1st free throw | 79-79 |
| 00:16 | Northwestern | Jamie Smith misses the 2nd free throw | 79-79 |
| 00:16 | Illinois | William Zuberbuhler pulls down the rebound | 79-79 |
| 00:03 | Illinois | Russ Wescott can't connect on a 3 from the right wing | 79-79 |
| 00:02 | Northwestern | Charles Letourneau grabs the board | 79-79 |
| 00:02 | Northwestern | Northwestern calls a :30 timeout (1 :30 2 full remaining) | 79-79 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a fullcourt press (+2) | |
| 00:00 | Northwestern | Gary Sharpe can't connect on a halfcourt shot | 79-79 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - James Meadows (fresh) 5 pts. SG - Cristopher English (fresh) 12 pts. 3 stl. SF - Roy Smith (fresh) 12 pts. 4 reb. PF - William Zuberbuhler (fresh) 5 pts. 7 reb. C - Russ Wescott (fresh) 7 reb. 2 blk. 2 stl. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Gary Sharpe (fresh) 14 pts. 7 ast. 4 pf. SG - Jonathan Hargis (fairly fresh) 15 pts. 2 ast. 4 pf. SF - Charles Letourneau (fresh) 6 pts. 3 reb. 2 stl. 4 pf. PF - Jamie Smith (fresh) 8 pts. 8 reb. C - Nestor Panek (fresh) 9 pts. 5 reb. | |
| 05:00 | Illinois | William Zuberbuhler wins the tip | 79-79 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense and a man to man (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (+2) | |
| 04:35 | Illinois | Jamie Smith steals the ball from Cristopher English | 79-79 |
| 04:28 | Northwestern | Nestor Panek is whistled for traveling | 79-79 |
| Subs | Illinois | Walter Bowen (SF) Roy Smith | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Ernesto Caballero (SG) Jonathan Hargis | |
| 04:11 | Illinois | James Meadows connects on the jumpshot from the right wing | 81-79 |
| 03:51 | Northwestern | Gary Sharpe knocks in the shot from the left block and he's hacked by James Meadows - foul #3 on James Meadows, team foul #8 | 81-81 |
| Subs | Illinois | Stephen Worsham (SG) Cristopher English | |
| Subs | Northwestern | James Robinson (PF) Jamie Smith | |
| 03:51 | Northwestern | Gary Sharpe misses the free throw | 81-81 |
| 03:51 | Illinois | William Zuberbuhler gets the rebound | 81-81 |
| 03:46 | Illinois | James Meadows can't connect on a jumper from the free throw line | 81-81 |
| 03:45 | Northwestern | James Robinson snags the defensive board | 81-81 |
| 03:41 | Northwestern | Gary Sharpe misses badly on a fadeaway jumper from the left side | 81-81 |
| 03:40 | Illinois | William Zuberbuhler grabs the board | 81-81 |
| 03:11 | Illinois | Stephen Worsham comes up short on the 3pt attempt from straight away | 81-81 |
| 03:10 | Illinois | Walter Bowen pulls down the offensive rebound | 81-81 |
| 02:57 | Illinois | William Zuberbuhler hits a runner from close range and he's hacked by Nestor Panek - foul #1 on Nestor Panek, team foul #12 | 83-81 |
| Subs | Illinois | Jerry Johnson (PG), Roy Smith (SF), Charles Campbell (C) James Meadows, Walter Bowen, Russ Wescott | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Dana Driver (PG), Steve Hayworth (SG), Dustin Thomas (SF), Steve Mattingly (PF), Leroy Delgadillo (C) Gary Sharpe, Ernesto Caballero, Charles Letourneau, James Robinson, Nestor Panek | |
| 02:57 | Illinois | William Zuberbuhler misses the free throw | 83-81 |
| 02:57 | Northwestern | Leroy Delgadillo gets the rebound | 83-81 |
| 02:57 | Northwestern | Northwestern calls a full timeout (1 :30 2 full remaining) | 83-81 |
| 02:46 | Northwestern | Steve Mattingly loses the ball out of bounds | 83-81 |
| Subs | Illinois | James Meadows (PG), Cristopher English (SG), Russ Wescott (C) Jerry Johnson, Stephen Worsham, Charles Campbell | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jonathan Hargis (SG), Jamie Smith (PF), Nestor Panek (C) Dustin Thomas, Steve Mattingly, Leroy Delgadillo | |
| 02:43 | Illinois | Dana Driver takes the ball from James Meadows in the backcourt | 83-81 |
| 02:24 | Northwestern | Steve Hayworth misses long on a 3 pointer from straight away but he's fouled by Roy Smith - foul #3 on Roy Smith, team foul #9 | 83-81 |
| Subs | Illinois | Charles Campbell (PF) William Zuberbuhler | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Ernesto Caballero (PG), Charles Letourneau (SF) Dana Driver, Jonathan Hargis | |
| 02:24 | Northwestern | Steve Hayworth misses the 1st free throw | 83-81 |
| 02:24 | Northwestern | Steve Hayworth makes the 2nd free throw | 83-82 |
| 02:24 | Northwestern | Steve Hayworth makes the 3rd free throw | 83-83 |
| 02:22 | Illinois | Illinois calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 83-83 |
| Subs | Illinois | William Zuberbuhler (PF) Charles Campbell | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Gary Sharpe (PG), Jonathan Hargis (SG) Ernesto Caballero, Steve Hayworth | |
| 02:07 | Illinois | Russ Wescott buries a 3pt attempt from the right wing set up by James Meadows | 86-83 |
| 01:49 | Northwestern | Nestor Panek's fadeaway is rejected by William Zuberbuhler | 86-83 |
| 01:48 | Northwestern | Nestor Panek gets the offensive rebound | 86-83 |
| 01:34 | Northwestern | William Zuberbuhler steps in front of the Nestor Panek pass | 86-83 |
| 01:11 | Illinois | Cristopher English misses the easy open layup | 86-83 |
| 01:10 | Northwestern | Charles Letourneau gets the rebound | 86-83 |
| 01:02 | Northwestern | Jonathan Hargis misses short on a floater from just outside the lane | 86-83 |
| 01:00 | Illinois | William Zuberbuhler grabs the defensive rebound | 86-83 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - James Meadows (fresh) 7 pts. 1 ast. 3 pf. SG - Cristopher English (fresh) 12 pts. 3 stl. SF - Roy Smith (fairly fresh) 12 pts. 4 reb. 3 pf. PF - William Zuberbuhler (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 10 reb. C - Russ Wescott (fresh) 3 pts. 7 reb. 2 blk. 2 stl. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Gary Sharpe (fairly fresh) 16 pts. 7 ast. 4 pf. SG - Jonathan Hargis (fairly fresh) 15 pts. 2 ast. 4 pf. SF - Charles Letourneau (fresh) 6 pts. 4 reb. 2 stl. 4 pf. PF - Jamie Smith (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 8 reb. C - Nestor Panek (fresh) 9 pts. 6 reb. | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (+2) | |
| 00:32 | Illinois | Roy Smith scores on a shot from the right block on a great pass from James Meadows | 88-83 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a fullcourt press (+2) | |
| 00:27 | Northwestern | Russ Wescott is called for the reach on Gary Sharpe - foul #2 on Russ Wescott, team foul #10 | 88-83 |
| 00:27 | Northwestern | Gary Sharpe misses the 1st free throw | 88-83 |
| 00:27 | Northwestern | Gary Sharpe makes the 2nd free throw | 88-84 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (+2) | |
| 00:25 | Illinois | Gary Sharpe is called for the reach on Russ Wescott in the backcourt - foul #5 on Gary Sharpe, team foul #13 | 88-84 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Ernesto Caballero (PG) Gary Sharpe | |
| 00:25 | Illinois | Russ Wescott misses the 1st free throw | 88-84 |
| 00:25 | Illinois | Russ Wescott misses the 2nd free throw | 88-84 |
| 00:25 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Jamie Smith | 88-84 |
| 00:19 | Northwestern | Jonathan Hargis misses long on a 3 from the left wing | 88-84 |
| 00:17 | Illinois | William Zuberbuhler gets the rebound | 88-84 |
| 00:14 | Illinois | Ernesto Caballero is called for the reach on William Zuberbuhler in the backcourt - foul #3 on Ernesto Caballero, team foul #14 | 88-84 |
| 00:14 | Illinois | William Zuberbuhler makes the 1st free throw | 89-84 |
| 00:14 | Illinois | William Zuberbuhler makes the 2nd free throw | 90-84 |
| 00:08 | Northwestern | Jamie Smith is hacked by Russ Wescott - foul #3 on Russ Wescott, team foul #11 | 90-84 |
| 00:08 | Northwestern | Jamie Smith makes the 1st free throw | 90-85 |
| 00:08 | Northwestern | Jamie Smith misses the 2nd free throw | 90-85 |
| 00:08 | Illinois | Russ Wescott gets the rebound | 90-85 |
| 00:06 | Illinois | Jonathan Hargis is called for the reach on Russ Wescott in the backcourt - foul #5 on Jonathan Hargis, team foul #15 | 90-85 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Steve Hayworth (SG) Jonathan Hargis | |
| 00:06 | Illinois | Russ Wescott makes the 1st free throw | 91-85 |
| 00:06 | Illinois | Russ Wescott makes the 2nd free throw | 92-85 |
| 00:01 | Northwestern | Steve Hayworth misses long on a 3 pointer from straight away | 92-85 |
| 00:00 | Illinois | William Zuberbuhler grabs the defensive rebound | 92-85 |