| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Paul Rehkop (fresh) 2 ast. SG - James Beals (fresh) 11 pts. 2 stl. SF - Bob Chisolm (fresh) PF - Arnold Rarick (fresh) 5 pts. 4 reb. C - Craig Frey (fresh) 5 pts. 5 reb. | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - John Sanders (fresh) 14 pts. 2 ast. SG - Charles Simmons (fresh) 1 ast. SF - John Weisz (fresh) 5 pts. 2 reb. PF - Dennis Tan (fresh) 1 pts. 2 blk. C - Richard Likens (fresh) 10 pts. 7 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Ohio State | Bob Chisolm inbounds the ball | 29-34 |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense and a man to man (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a triangle offense and a man to man (-1) | |
| 19:33 | Ohio State | Richard Likens steps in front of the Arnold Rarick pass | 29-34 |
| 19:17 | Michigan State | John Sanders misses badly on a 3pt shot from straight away | 29-34 |
| 19:15 | Ohio State | Arnold Rarick grabs the defensive rebound | 29-34 |
| 18:53 | Ohio State | Arnold Rarick makes the jumpshot from the left wing | 31-34 |
| 18:34 | Michigan State | John Sanders hits a 3pt attempt from the right corner on a nice dish by John Weisz | 31-37 |
| 18:22 | Ohio State | Craig Frey misses short on a fadeaway jumper from the free throw line | 31-37 |
| 18:20 | Ohio State | Craig Frey tips it back up and in | 33-37 |
| 18:04 | Michigan State | John Sanders's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 33-37 |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Karr (SG), Dustin Lampley (SF), Seth Taylor (PF), Paul Smith (C) John Sanders, John Weisz, Dennis Tan, Richard Likens | |
| 17:42 | Ohio State | Bob Chisolm misses short on a jump hook in the paint but he's fouled by William Karr - foul #2 on William Karr, team foul #1 | 33-37 |
| 17:42 | Ohio State | Bob Chisolm misses the 1st free throw | 33-37 |
| 17:42 | Ohio State | Bob Chisolm makes the 2nd free throw | 34-37 |
| 17:20 | Michigan State | Charles Simmons hits a pull-up jumper from just outside the lane set up by Paul Smith | 34-39 |
| 17:08 | Ohio State | Seth Taylor swats the short shot by Arnold Rarick | 34-39 |
| 17:06 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to Seth Taylor | 34-39 |
| 16:48 | Michigan State | William Karr is hacked by Bob Chisolm - foul #2 on Bob Chisolm, team foul #1 | 34-39 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Paul Alvardo (PG), Tracy Fosberg (SF), John Smith (PF), Terry Smith (C) Paul Rehkop, Bob Chisolm, Arnold Rarick, Craig Frey | |
| Subs | Michigan State | John Sanders (PG), John Weisz (C) William Karr, Seth Taylor | |
| 16:37 | Michigan State | Charles Simmons is fouled on the floor by Tracy Fosberg - foul #3 on Tracy Fosberg, team foul #2 | 34-39 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Bob Chisolm (SF) Tracy Fosberg | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Richard Likens (C) John Weisz | |
| 16:29 | Michigan State | Charles Simmons scores on a pull-up jumper from the free throw line set up by John Sanders | 34-41 |
| 16:04 | Ohio State | Paul Smith steps in front of the James Beals pass | 34-41 |
| 15:45 | Michigan State | Paul Smith is fouled on the floor by John Smith - foul #2 on John Smith, team foul #3 | 34-41 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Paul Rehkop (PG), Fredrick Lagunas (SG), Tracy Fosberg (SF), Craig Frey (C) Paul Alvardo, James Beals, Bob Chisolm, Terry Smith | |
| Subs | Michigan State | John Weisz (SF), Dennis Tan (PF) Dustin Lampley, Richard Likens | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Paul Rehkop (fresh) 2 ast. SG - Fredrick Lagunas (fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. SF - Tracy Fosberg (fresh) 2 pts. 3 pf. PF - John Smith (fresh) 1 pts. 2 reb. C - Craig Frey (fresh) 7 pts. 6 reb. | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - John Sanders (fresh) 17 pts. 3 ast. SG - Charles Simmons (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 1 ast. SF - John Weisz (fresh) 5 pts. 2 reb. PF - Dennis Tan (fresh) 1 pts. 2 blk. C - Paul Smith (fresh) | |
| 15:25 | Michigan State | John Weisz is hacked by Tracy Fosberg - foul #4 on Tracy Fosberg, team foul #4 | 34-41 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Bob Chisolm (SF) Tracy Fosberg | |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Karr (SG), Richard Likens (C) John Sanders, Paul Smith | |
| 15:12 | Michigan State | John Weisz scores on a 3pt shot from the left corner | 34-44 |
| 14:53 | Ohio State | Fredrick Lagunas comes up short on the fadeaway jumper from the left wing | 34-44 |
| 14:51 | Ohio State | John Smith grabs the offensive board | 34-44 |
| 14:46 | Ohio State | Fredrick Lagunas is called for a moving pick - foul #1 on Fredrick Lagunas, team foul #5 | 34-44 |
| Subs | Ohio State | James Beals (SG), Arnold Rarick (PF) Fredrick Lagunas, John Smith | |
| Subs | Michigan State | John Sanders (PG), Seth Taylor (PF), Paul Smith (C) William Karr, Dennis Tan, Richard Likens | |
| 14:37 | Michigan State | John Sanders misses the easy layup | 34-44 |
| 14:36 | Michigan State | Seth Taylor tips it but misses | 34-44 |
| 14:35 | Ohio State | Arnold Rarick snags the defensive board | 34-44 |
| 14:13 | Ohio State | James Beals misses the fadeaway from the baseline | 34-44 |
| 14:11 | Michigan State | Paul Smith grabs the board | 34-44 |
| 13:53 | Michigan State | John Sanders buries a 3pt attempt from straight away | 34-47 |
| 13:48 | Ohio State | Bob Chisolm misses badly on a 3pt attempt from the left wing | 34-47 |
| 13:46 | Michigan State | John Sanders gets the rebound | 34-47 |
| 13:24 | Michigan State | John Weisz misses short on a 3pt jumper from the left corner | 34-47 |
| 13:22 | Ohio State | Craig Frey pulls down the rebound | 34-47 |
| 13:06 | Ohio State | James Beals knocks in the 3 pointer from the right wing | 37-47 |
| 12:46 | Michigan State | John Weisz misses badly on a 3 pointer from straight away | 37-47 |
| 12:44 | Ohio State | The rebound goes to Paul Rehkop | 37-47 |
| 12:31 | Ohio State | James Beals clanks a 3pt shot from the right corner | 37-47 |
| 12:29 | Michigan State | Seth Taylor snags the defensive board | 37-47 |
| 12:17 | Michigan State | John Sanders throws a bad pass out of bounds | 37-47 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Paul Alvardo (PG), Fredrick Lagunas (SG), John Smith (PF), Terry Smith (C) Paul Rehkop, James Beals, Arnold Rarick, Craig Frey | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Dustin Lampley (SF), Dennis Tan (PF), Richard Likens (C) John Weisz, Seth Taylor, Paul Smith | |
| 12:01 | Ohio State | The jumper by John Smith is denied by Richard Likens | 37-47 |
| 11:59 | Michigan State | Dustin Lampley grabs the board | 37-47 |
| 11:53 | Michigan State | John Sanders can't connect on a 3pt shot from the left corner | 37-47 |
| 11:51 | Ohio State | The rebound goes to Terry Smith | 37-47 |
| 11:40 | Ohio State | Terry Smith jams it | 39-47 |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Paul Alvardo (fresh) SG - Fredrick Lagunas (fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. SF - Bob Chisolm (tiring) 1 pts. PF - John Smith (fresh) 1 pts. 3 reb. C - Terry Smith (fresh) 4 pts. 4 reb. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - John Sanders (fresh) 20 pts. 3 ast. SG - Charles Simmons (tiring) 4 pts. 1 ast. SF - Dustin Lampley (fresh) 2 pts. 5 reb. PF - Dennis Tan (fresh) 1 pts. 2 blk. C - Richard Likens (fresh) 10 pts. 7 reb. 2 stl. | |
| 11:25 | Michigan State | Paul Alvardo takes the ball from Richard Likens | 39-47 |
| 11:08 | Ohio State | Paul Alvardo can't connect on a floater from the right wing | 39-47 |
| 11:06 | Michigan State | Charles Simmons snags the defensive board | 39-47 |
| 10:44 | Michigan State | Charles Simmons hits the finger roll set up by Dennis Tan and he's fouled by Fredrick Lagunas - foul #2 on Fredrick Lagunas, team foul #6 | 39-49 |
| Subs | Ohio State | James Beals (SG), Arnold Rarick (PF) Fredrick Lagunas, John Smith | |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Karr (SG), John Weisz (SF) John Sanders, Dustin Lampley | |
| 10:44 | Michigan State | Charles Simmons makes the free throw | 39-50 |
| 10:31 | Ohio State | Paul Alvardo misses badly on a 3 pointer from the right corner | 39-50 |
| 10:29 | Michigan State | John Weisz grabs the board | 39-50 |
| 10:08 | Michigan State | John Weisz knocks in the floater from the left wing set up by Charles Simmons | 39-52 |
| 09:49 | Ohio State | James Beals misses short on a fadeaway from the left side | 39-52 |
| 09:47 | Michigan State | John Weisz grabs the defensive rebound | 39-52 |
| 09:41 | Michigan State | William Karr misses badly on a 3 pointer from straight away | 39-52 |
| 09:39 | Michigan State | John Weisz tips it back up and in | 39-54 |
| 09:31 | Ohio State | Arnold Rarick banks in the layup and he's fouled by Dennis Tan - foul #2 on Dennis Tan, team foul #2 | 41-54 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Paul Rehkop (PG), Craig Frey (C) Paul Alvardo, Terry Smith | |
| Subs | Michigan State | John Sanders (PG), Dustin Lampley (SF), Paul Smith (C) William Karr, John Weisz, Richard Likens | |
| 09:31 | Ohio State | Arnold Rarick makes the free throw | 42-54 |
| 09:06 | Michigan State | John Sanders drills a jumpshot from the left side on a great pass from Charles Simmons | 42-56 |
| 08:47 | Ohio State | Paul Rehkop misses the fadeaway jumper from the left side but the foul's on John Sanders - foul #3 on John Sanders, team foul #3 | 42-56 |
| Subs | Ohio State | John Smith (PF) Arnold Rarick | |
| Subs | Michigan State | John Weisz (SF), Richard Likens (C) Dustin Lampley, Dennis Tan | |
| 08:47 | Ohio State | Paul Rehkop makes the 1st free throw | 43-56 |
| 08:47 | Ohio State | Paul Rehkop makes the 2nd free throw | 44-56 |
| 08:29 | Michigan State | Bob Chisolm blocks the jumper by John Sanders | 44-56 |
| 08:28 | Ohio State | Bob Chisolm snags the defensive board | 44-56 |
| 08:10 | Ohio State | John Weisz steps in front of the Craig Frey pass | 44-56 |
| 07:50 | Michigan State | John Weisz misses long on a 3 pointer from the left corner | 44-56 |
| 07:49 | Michigan State | Paul Smith tips it back up and in | 44-58 |
| 07:30 | Ohio State | Richard Likens denies the turnaround by John Smith | 44-58 |
| 07:29 | Ohio State | Craig Frey can't tip it in | 44-58 |
| 07:28 | Ohio State | John Smith hits the follow up shot | 46-58 |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Paul Rehkop (fresh) 2 pts. 2 ast. SG - James Beals (fresh) 14 pts. 2 stl. SF - Bob Chisolm (tired) 1 pts. 2 reb. PF - John Smith (fresh) 3 pts. 4 reb. C - Craig Frey (fresh) 7 pts. 8 reb. | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - John Sanders (fairly fresh) 22 pts. 3 ast. 3 pf. SG - Charles Simmons (tiring) 7 pts. 3 ast. SF - John Weisz (fairly fresh) 12 pts. 5 reb. 2 stl. PF - Paul Smith (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. C - Richard Likens (fairly fresh) 10 pts. 7 reb. 2 blk. 2 stl. | |
| 07:16 | Michigan State | John Weisz double dribbles | 46-58 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Fredrick Lagunas (SG), Tracy Fosberg (SF), Arnold Rarick (PF) James Beals, Bob Chisolm, John Smith | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Dustin Lampley (SF), Dennis Tan (PF) Paul Smith, Richard Likens | |
| 07:04 | Ohio State | Fredrick Lagunas scores on a 3pt shot from the left wing | 49-58 |
| 06:40 | Michigan State | Dennis Tan is fouled on the floor by Craig Frey - foul #1 on Craig Frey, team foul #7 | 49-58 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Terry Smith (C) Craig Frey | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Richard Likens (C) John Weisz | |
| 06:40 | Michigan State | Dennis Tan makes the 1st free throw | 49-59 |
| 06:40 | Michigan State | Dennis Tan makes the 2nd free throw | 49-60 |
| 06:26 | Ohio State | Terry Smith drills a jumper from close range and he's hacked by Richard Likens - foul #2 on Richard Likens, team foul #4 | 51-60 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Paul Alvardo (PG), James Beals (SG) Paul Rehkop, Fredrick Lagunas | |
| Subs | Michigan State | John Weisz (C) Richard Likens | |
| 06:26 | Ohio State | Terry Smith misses the free throw | 51-60 |
| 06:26 | Michigan State | John Weisz grabs the board | 51-60 |
| 06:06 | Michigan State | Dustin Lampley is fouled on the floor by Terry Smith - foul #3 on Terry Smith, team foul #8 | 51-60 |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Paul Smith (C) John Weisz | |
| 06:06 | Michigan State | Dustin Lampley makes the 1st free throw | 51-61 |
| 06:06 | Michigan State | Dustin Lampley makes the 2nd free throw | 51-62 |
| 05:42 | Ohio State | John Sanders steals the ball from Terry Smith | 51-62 |
| 05:38 | Michigan State | John Sanders banks in the layup | 51-64 |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a man to man (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a triangle offense and a man to man (-1) | |
| 05:28 | Ohio State | Tracy Fosberg misses short on a 3 from the left corner | 51-64 |
| 05:27 | Michigan State | Dustin Lampley snags the defensive board | 51-64 |
| 05:21 | Michigan State | Charles Simmons is called for a moving pick - foul #3 on Charles Simmons, team foul #5 | 51-64 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Paul Rehkop (PG), John Smith (PF), Craig Frey (C) Paul Alvardo, Arnold Rarick, Terry Smith | |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Karr (SG), John Weisz (SF), Seth Taylor (PF), Richard Likens (C) John Sanders, Dustin Lampley, Dennis Tan, Paul Smith | |
| 05:10 | Ohio State | John Smith lays it in | 53-64 |
| 04:49 | Michigan State | Paul Rehkop is called for the reach on William Karr - foul #1 on Paul Rehkop, team foul #9 | 53-64 |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | John Sanders (PG), Dennis Tan (PF) Charles Simmons, Seth Taylor | |
| 04:49 | Michigan State | William Karr makes the 1st free throw | 53-65 |
| 04:49 | Michigan State | William Karr makes the 2nd free throw | 53-66 |
| 04:24 | Ohio State | John Smith drills a jump hook in the lane on a great pass from James Beals | 55-66 |
| 04:16 | Michigan State | John Weisz misses badly on a fadeaway jumper from just outside the lane | 55-66 |
| 04:14 | Michigan State | Richard Likens snags the offensive board | 55-66 |
| 03:48 | Michigan State | John Sanders hits the front of the rim on the 3 pointer from straight away | 55-66 |
| 03:46 | Ohio State | Craig Frey gets the rebound | 55-66 |
| 03:33 | Ohio State | James Beals is fouled on the floor by Dennis Tan - foul #3 on Dennis Tan, team foul #6 | 55-66 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Fredrick Lagunas (SG), Arnold Rarick (PF) James Beals, John Smith | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Charles Simmons (SG), Dustin Lampley (SF), Seth Taylor (PF), Paul Smith (C) William Karr, John Weisz, Dennis Tan, Richard Likens | |
| 03:13 | Ohio State | Arnold Rarick hits the front of the rim on the 3pt shot from the left wing | 55-66 |
| 03:12 | Michigan State | Charles Simmons gets the rebound | 55-66 |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Paul Rehkop (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 2 ast. SG - Fredrick Lagunas (fresh) 6 pts. 1 ast. SF - Tracy Fosberg (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 4 pf. PF - Arnold Rarick (fresh) 10 pts. 6 reb. C - Craig Frey (fresh) 7 pts. 9 reb. | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - John Sanders (fairly fresh) 24 pts. 3 ast. 3 pf. SG - Charles Simmons (tiring) 7 pts. 3 ast. 3 pf. SF - Dustin Lampley (fresh) 4 pts. 6 reb. PF - Seth Taylor (fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. C - Paul Smith (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a man to man (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a triangle offense and a man to man (-1) | |
| 03:01 | Michigan State | Seth Taylor double dribbles | 55-66 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Paul Alvardo (PG), Bob Chisolm (SF), Terry Smith (C) Paul Rehkop, Tracy Fosberg, Craig Frey | |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Karr (SG), John Weisz (SF) John Sanders, Dustin Lampley | |
| 02:57 | Ohio State | Ohio State calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 55-66 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Paul Rehkop (PG), James Beals (SG), Craig Frey (C) Paul Alvardo, Fredrick Lagunas, Terry Smith | |
| Subs | Michigan State | John Sanders (PG), Dennis Tan (PF) William Karr, Seth Taylor | |
| 02:42 | Ohio State | Arnold Rarick knocks in the runner from the left block on a nice dish by Craig Frey | 57-66 |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a man to man (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a triangle offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-1) | |
| 02:22 | Michigan State | Paul Smith comes up short on the jumper from the right wing | 57-66 |
| 02:20 | Ohio State | The rebound goes to Craig Frey | 57-66 |
| 02:11 | Ohio State | James Beals hits a fadeaway jumper from the left wing | 59-66 |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a man to man (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a triangle offense and a man to man (-1) | |
| 01:49 | Michigan State | John Sanders hits the front of the rim on the 3 from the right wing | 59-66 |
| 01:47 | Michigan State | John Weisz misses the tip | 59-66 |
| 01:46 | Michigan State | Paul Smith tips it back up and in | 59-68 |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a man to man (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a triangle offense and a man to man (+3) | |
| 01:28 | Ohio State | Craig Frey comes up short on the driving attempt from the right block | 59-68 |
| 01:26 | Michigan State | John Weisz snags the defensive board | 59-68 |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a man to man (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a triangle offense (slowdown) and a man to man (+3) | |
| 00:57 | Michigan State | Charles Simmons can't connect on a jumpshot from the right wing but he's hacked by Arnold Rarick - foul #1 on Arnold Rarick, team foul #10 | 59-68 |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Richard Likens (C) Paul Smith | |
| 00:57 | Michigan State | Charles Simmons makes the 1st free throw | 59-69 |
| 00:57 | Michigan State | Charles Simmons makes the 2nd free throw | 59-70 |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a man to man (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a triangle offense (slowdown) and a man to man (+3) | |
| 00:50 | Ohio State | Bob Chisolm knocks in the 3pt shot from the left corner on a great pass from Arnold Rarick | 62-70 |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+3) | |
| 00:48 | Michigan State | Richard Likens is fouled in the backcourt by Paul Rehkop - foul #2 on Paul Rehkop, team foul #11 | 62-70 |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Karr (SG), Seth Taylor (PF) John Sanders, Dennis Tan | |
| 00:48 | Michigan State | Richard Likens misses the 1st free throw | 62-70 |
| 00:48 | Michigan State | Richard Likens makes the 2nd free throw | 62-71 |
| 00:43 | Ohio State | Bob Chisolm loses the dribble to John Weisz | 62-71 |
| 00:42 | Michigan State | William Karr is fouled in the backcourt by Paul Rehkop - foul #3 on Paul Rehkop, team foul #12 | 62-71 |
| 00:42 | Michigan State | William Karr misses the 1st free throw | 62-71 |
| 00:42 | Michigan State | William Karr makes the 2nd free throw | 62-72 |
| 00:36 | Ohio State | James Beals blows the dunk | 62-72 |
| 00:35 | Michigan State | Seth Taylor pulls down the rebound | 62-72 |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a man to man (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+3) | |
| 00:13 | Michigan State | Charles Simmons is denied on a layup by Craig Frey | 62-72 |
| 00:12 | Ohio State | Arnold Rarick grabs the defensive rebound | 62-72 |
| 00:08 | Ohio State | Paul Rehkop clanks a jumper from close range but he's fouled by Charles Simmons - foul #4 on Charles Simmons, team foul #7 | 62-72 |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | John Sanders (PG), Dennis Tan (PF) William Karr, Seth Taylor | |
| 00:08 | Ohio State | Paul Rehkop makes the 1st free throw | 63-72 |
| 00:08 | Ohio State | Paul Rehkop makes the 2nd free throw | 64-72 |
| 00:00 | Michigan State | John Sanders runs out the clock | 64-72 |