| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Martin Lusk (fresh) 8 pts. 3 ast. 4 stl. SG - Orville Curtis (fresh) 10 pts. 1 ast. SF - Michael Bollin (fresh) PF - Orlando Joiner (fresh) 4 pts. 5 reb. 3 pf. C - Gregory Allen (fresh) 6 pts. 7 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Vernon Morrison (fresh) SG - Jamie Murray (fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. SF - Albert Stevens (fresh) 2 pts. PF - Steve Ross (fresh) 4 pts. 6 reb. C - David Corder (fresh) 4 pts. 6 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Michigan State | Michael Bollin inbounds the ball | 28-16 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a flex offense (slowdown) and a 2-3 zone (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a motion offense and a 2-3 zone (+3) | |
| 19:39 | Michigan State | Gregory Allen misses short on a jumpshot from the left wing | 28-16 |
| 19:37 | Michigan State | Michael Bollin tips it in | 30-16 |
| 19:28 | Northwestern | Albert Stevens misses the floater from the left wing | 30-16 |
| 19:26 | Northwestern | David Corder snags the offensive board | 30-16 |
| 19:19 | Northwestern | Orville Curtis steals the ball from Steve Ross | 30-16 |
| 18:59 | Michigan State | Orville Curtis hits the front of the rim on the 3 pointer from the right corner | 30-16 |
| 18:57 | Michigan State | Michael Bollin grabs the offensive board | 30-16 |
| 18:44 | Michigan State | Martin Lusk is hacked by David Corder - foul #1 on David Corder, team foul #1 | 30-16 |
| 18:26 | Michigan State | Orlando Joiner's pass is intercepted by Albert Stevens | 30-16 |
| 18:08 | Northwestern | David Corder can't connect on a floater from just outside the lane but he's hacked by Orlando Joiner - foul #4 on Orlando Joiner, team foul #1 | 30-16 |
| Subs | Michigan State | David Atkins (PF) Orlando Joiner | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 18:08 | Northwestern | David Corder makes the 1st free throw | 30-17 |
| 18:08 | Northwestern | David Corder makes the 2nd free throw | 30-18 |
| 17:44 | Michigan State | Gregory Allen scores on a jumper from the right side on a great pass from Martin Lusk and he's fouled by Steve Ross - foul #1 on Steve Ross, team foul #2 | 32-18 |
| 17:44 | Michigan State | Gregory Allen makes the free throw | 33-18 |
| 17:30 | Northwestern | Albert Stevens lays it in | 33-20 |
| 17:13 | Michigan State | Martin Lusk clanks a 3pt shot from the left wing | 33-20 |
| 17:11 | Northwestern | Steve Ross grabs the board | 33-20 |
| 16:53 | Northwestern | Albert Stevens slams it home set up by Steve Ross | 33-22 |
| 16:40 | Michigan State | Michael Bollin misses the easy layup | 33-22 |
| 16:39 | Michigan State | Gregory Allen misses the tip | 33-22 |
| 16:37 | Michigan State | Orville Curtis tips it home | 35-22 |
| 16:12 | Northwestern | Jamie Murray shoots over the doubleteam and knocks in the fadeaway jumper from the right wing on a nice dish by Vernon Morrison | 35-24 |
| 15:47 | Michigan State | Gregory Allen scores on a driving attempt near the basket set up by Orville Curtis and he's fouled by David Corder - foul #2 on David Corder, team foul #3 | 37-24 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Bryan Busick (SF) Michael Bollin | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Carlton Briley (PG) Vernon Morrison | |
| 15:47 | Michigan State | Gregory Allen makes the free throw | 38-24 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Martin Lusk (fresh) 8 pts. 4 ast. 4 stl. SG - Orville Curtis (fresh) 12 pts. 2 ast. SF - Bryan Busick (fresh) 1 ast. PF - David Atkins (fresh) C - Gregory Allen (fresh) 12 pts. 8 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Carlton Briley (fresh) 3 pts. 2 ast. 3 pf. SG - Jamie Murray (fresh) 5 pts. 1 ast. SF - Albert Stevens (fairly fresh) 6 pts. PF - Steve Ross (fresh) 4 pts. 7 reb. C - David Corder (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 7 reb. | |
| 15:29 | Northwestern | Carlton Briley drills a 3pt shot from the right corner | 38-27 |
| 15:02 | Michigan State | Jamie Murray steals it from Bryan Busick | 38-27 |
| 14:49 | Northwestern | Carlton Briley can't connect on a fadeaway from the baseline | 38-27 |
| 14:48 | Michigan State | Martin Lusk snags the defensive board | 38-27 |
| 14:19 | Michigan State | Bryan Busick hits a fadeaway from the left wing set up by Orville Curtis | 40-27 |
| 14:07 | Northwestern | Steve Ross misses long on a jump hook in the paint but the foul's on David Atkins - foul #1 on David Atkins, team foul #2 | 40-27 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Michael Bollin (SF), Thomas Liska (PF) Martin Lusk, David Atkins | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 14:07 | Northwestern | Steve Ross makes the 1st free throw | 40-28 |
| 14:07 | Northwestern | Steve Ross misses the 2nd free throw | 40-28 |
| 14:07 | Michigan State | Thomas Liska snags the defensive board | 40-28 |
| 13:50 | Michigan State | Gregory Allen throws it down on a great pass from Michael Bollin | 42-28 |
| 13:33 | Northwestern | Michael Bollin is called for the reach on Carlton Briley - foul #1 on Michael Bollin, team foul #3 | 42-28 |
| 13:20 | Northwestern | Jamie Murray buries a 3 from the left wing on a nice dish by Albert Stevens | 42-31 |
| 13:01 | Michigan State | Bryan Busick misses long on a jumper from just outside the lane but he's fouled by Albert Stevens - foul #1 on Albert Stevens, team foul #4 | 42-31 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Orlando Joiner (PF) Thomas Liska | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 13:01 | Michigan State | Bryan Busick misses the 1st free throw | 42-31 |
| 13:01 | Michigan State | Bryan Busick misses the 2nd free throw | 42-31 |
| 13:01 | Northwestern | Carlton Briley grabs the board | 42-31 |
| 12:39 | Northwestern | Steve Ross is open but comes up short on the runner from close range | 42-31 |
| 12:38 | Northwestern | Albert Stevens hits the follow up shot | 42-33 |
| 12:18 | Michigan State | Orville Curtis makes the 3 from the left corner on a nice dish by Michael Bollin | 45-33 |
| 11:58 | Northwestern | The jumper by Steve Ross is denied by Gregory Allen | 45-33 |
| 11:56 | Northwestern | Steve Ross tips it back up and in | 45-35 |
| 11:29 | Michigan State | Bryan Busick clanks a jumpshot from the right side | 45-35 |
| 11:28 | Michigan State | The offensive rebound goes to Michael Bollin | 45-35 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Bryan Busick (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 1 ast. SG - Orville Curtis (fairly fresh) 15 pts. 3 ast. SF - Michael Bollin (fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. PF - Orlando Joiner (fresh) 4 pts. 5 reb. 4 pf. C - Gregory Allen (fairly fresh) 14 pts. 8 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Carlton Briley (fresh) 6 pts. 2 ast. 3 pf. SG - Jamie Murray (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 1 ast. SF - Albert Stevens (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 2 reb. PF - Steve Ross (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 8 reb. C - David Corder (tiring) 6 pts. 7 reb. | |
| 11:07 | Michigan State | Orville Curtis comes up short on the 3pt shot from the right corner | 45-35 |
| 11:06 | Northwestern | Steve Ross gets the rebound | 45-35 |
| 10:50 | Northwestern | Carlton Briley misses long on a shot near the basket but the foul's on Bryan Busick - foul #1 on Bryan Busick, team foul #4 | 45-35 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Martin Lusk (PG), Thomas Liska (SF) Bryan Busick, Michael Bollin | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Ed Shipley (SF), Michael Housel (C) Albert Stevens, David Corder | |
| 10:50 | Northwestern | Carlton Briley misses the 1st free throw | 45-35 |
| 10:50 | Northwestern | Carlton Briley makes the 2nd free throw | 45-36 |
| 10:32 | Michigan State | Martin Lusk misses badly on a pull-up jumper from the right wing | 45-36 |
| 10:31 | Northwestern | Michael Housel pulls down the rebound | 45-36 |
| 10:15 | Northwestern | Carlton Briley is hacked by Gregory Allen - foul #2 on Gregory Allen, team foul #5 | 45-36 |
| 09:59 | Northwestern | Steve Ross lays it up and in set up by Carlton Briley | 45-38 |
| 09:34 | Michigan State | Martin Lusk connects on the 3 pointer from straight away on a nice dish by Orville Curtis | 48-38 |
| 09:18 | Northwestern | Martin Lusk takes the ball from Jamie Murray after a doubleteam | 48-38 |
| 09:00 | Michigan State | Gregory Allen is denied on a dunk by Steve Ross | 48-38 |
| 08:59 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Jamie Murray | 48-38 |
| 08:36 | Northwestern | Ed Shipley's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 48-38 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Michael Bollin (SF), David Atkins (PF) Orlando Joiner, Gregory Allen | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Albert Stevens (SF), Luis Friesen (C) Ed Shipley, Steve Ross | |
| 08:21 | Michigan State | Martin Lusk hits a pull-up jumper from the left side | 50-38 |
| 07:52 | Northwestern | Albert Stevens misses badly on a fadeaway jumper from the left side but he's fouled by Michael Bollin - foul #2 on Michael Bollin, team foul #6 | 50-38 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | David Corder (C) Luis Friesen | |
| 07:52 | Northwestern | Albert Stevens makes the 1st free throw | 50-39 |
| 07:52 | Northwestern | Albert Stevens makes the 2nd free throw | 50-40 |
| 07:33 | Michigan State | Orville Curtis clanks a 3pt jumper from the left corner | 50-40 |
| 07:31 | Northwestern | David Corder pulls down the rebound | 50-40 |
| 07:20 | Northwestern | David Corder is fouled on the floor by Orville Curtis - foul #1 on Orville Curtis, team foul #7 | 50-40 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Gregory Allen (C) Thomas Liska | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Vernon Morrison (SG), Steve Ross (PF) Jamie Murray, Michael Housel | |
| 07:20 | Northwestern | David Corder makes the 1st free throw | 50-41 |
| 07:20 | Northwestern | David Corder makes the 2nd free throw | 50-42 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Martin Lusk (fresh) 13 pts. 4 ast. 5 stl. SG - Orville Curtis (fairly fresh) 15 pts. 4 ast. SF - Michael Bollin (fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. PF - David Atkins (fresh) C - Gregory Allen (fairly fresh) 14 pts. 8 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Carlton Briley (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 3 ast. 3 pf. SG - Vernon Morrison (fresh) 1 ast. SF - Albert Stevens (fairly fresh) 10 pts. 2 reb. PF - Steve Ross (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 9 reb. C - David Corder (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 8 reb. | |
| 07:01 | Michigan State | Steve Ross takes the ball from Gregory Allen | 50-42 |
| 06:32 | Northwestern | Carlton Briley misses long on a 3 pointer from straight away | 50-42 |
| 06:30 | Michigan State | Michael Bollin snags the defensive board | 50-42 |
| 06:07 | Michigan State | Gregory Allen blows the dunk but he's hacked by Carlton Briley - foul #4 on Carlton Briley, team foul #5 | 50-42 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Bryan Busick (PG), James James (SG), Orlando Joiner (PF) Martin Lusk, Orville Curtis, David Atkins | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jamie Murray (SG) Vernon Morrison | |
| 06:07 | Michigan State | Gregory Allen makes the 1st free throw | 51-42 |
| 06:07 | Michigan State | Gregory Allen makes the 2nd free throw | 52-42 |
| 05:46 | Northwestern | David Corder drills a pull-up jumper from the right wing set up by Albert Stevens | 52-44 |
| 05:27 | Michigan State | James James drills a 3 pointer from the left wing on a great pass from Bryan Busick | 55-44 |
| 05:06 | Northwestern | Carlton Briley throws a bad pass out of bounds | 55-44 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Martin Lusk (PG), Orville Curtis (SG) Bryan Busick, James James | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Vernon Morrison (PG), Michael Housel (PF), Luis Friesen (C) Carlton Briley, Steve Ross, David Corder | |
| 04:46 | Michigan State | Orville Curtis connects on the 3 from the right corner | 58-44 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a flex offense (slowdown) and a 2-3 zone (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a 2-3 zone (+3) | |
| 04:34 | Northwestern | Albert Stevens misses the turnaround from the right block but he's hacked by Martin Lusk - foul #1 on Martin Lusk, team foul #8 | 58-44 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Bryan Busick (SF) Michael Bollin | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 04:34 | Northwestern | Albert Stevens misses the 1st free throw | 58-44 |
| 04:34 | Northwestern | Albert Stevens makes the 2nd free throw | 58-45 |
| 04:15 | Michigan State | Martin Lusk connects on the 3 from the right corner on a great pass from Gregory Allen | 61-45 |
| 04:01 | Northwestern | Vernon Morrison hits a 3pt jumper from the left wing | 61-48 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a flex offense (slowdown) and a 2-3 zone (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a halfcourt press/2-3 zone (-2) | |
| 03:38 | Michigan State | Orlando Joiner is hacked by Albert Stevens - foul #2 on Albert Stevens, team foul #6 | 61-48 |
| Subs | Michigan State | David Atkins (PF), Thomas Liska (C) Orlando Joiner, Gregory Allen | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Carlton Briley (PG), Ed Shipley (SF), Steve Ross (PF), David Corder (C) Vernon Morrison, Albert Stevens, Michael Housel, Luis Friesen | |
| 03:23 | Michigan State | Orville Curtis knocks in the 3pt attempt from the right corner set up by Martin Lusk | 64-48 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Martin Lusk (fresh) 16 pts. 5 ast. 5 stl. SG - Orville Curtis (fairly fresh) 21 pts. 4 ast. SF - Bryan Busick (fresh) 2 pts. 2 ast. PF - David Atkins (fresh) C - Thomas Liska (fresh) 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Carlton Briley (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 3 ast. 4 pf. SG - Jamie Murray (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 1 ast. SF - Ed Shipley (fresh) PF - Steve Ross (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 9 reb. C - David Corder (fairly fresh) 10 pts. 8 reb. | |
| 03:12 | Northwestern | Steve Ross hits the front of the rim on the wide open pull-up jumper from the right wing | 64-48 |
| 03:10 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to David Atkins | 64-48 |
| 02:58 | Michigan State | Martin Lusk misses badly on a jumpshot from the right side | 64-48 |
| 02:56 | Northwestern | David Corder grabs the defensive rebound | 64-48 |
| 02:52 | Northwestern | Jamie Murray splits the doubleteam and buries a 3 pointer from the left wing set up by Steve Ross | 64-51 |
| 02:49 | Michigan State | Martin Lusk's pass is off the mark and out of bounds in the backcourt | 64-51 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Michael Bollin (SF), Gregory Allen (C) Bryan Busick, Thomas Liska | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Vernon Morrison (PG), Emanuel Nobles (SG), Michael Housel (PF), Luis Friesen (C) Carlton Briley, Jamie Murray, Steve Ross, David Corder | |
| 02:43 | Northwestern | Emanuel Nobles drills a 3 pointer from the right corner | 64-54 |
| 02:16 | Michigan State | Michael Housel takes the ball from Martin Lusk | 64-54 |
| 01:57 | Northwestern | Emanuel Nobles hits a floater from the left wing set up by Luis Friesen and the foul's on Orville Curtis - foul #2 on Orville Curtis, team foul #9 | 64-56 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Orlando Joiner (PF) David Atkins | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Carlton Briley (PG), Albert Stevens (SF), Steve Ross (PF), David Corder (C) Vernon Morrison, Ed Shipley, Michael Housel, Luis Friesen | |
| 01:57 | Northwestern | Emanuel Nobles misses the free throw | 64-56 |
| 01:57 | Michigan State | Gregory Allen pulls down the rebound | 64-56 |
| 01:38 | Michigan State | Michael Bollin is hacked by Albert Stevens - foul #3 on Albert Stevens, team foul #7 | 64-56 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jamie Murray (SG) Emanuel Nobles | |
| 01:38 | Michigan State | Michael Bollin makes the 1st free throw | 65-56 |
| 01:38 | Michigan State | Michael Bollin makes the 2nd free throw | 66-56 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a flex offense (slowdown) and a 3-2 zone (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a halfcourt press/2-3 zone (-2) | |
| 01:29 | Northwestern | Carlton Briley connects on the runner from close range set up by David Corder | 66-58 |
| 01:04 | Michigan State | Orville Curtis is whistled for an offensive foul - foul #3 on Orville Curtis, team foul #10 | 66-58 |
| 00:52 | Northwestern | Carlton Briley can't connect on a 3pt shot from the left corner | 66-58 |
| 00:50 | Northwestern | Albert Stevens snags the offensive board | 66-58 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a flex offense (slowdown) and a 3-2 zone (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a halfcourt press/2-3 zone (-2) | |
| 00:46 | Northwestern | Jamie Murray knocks in the 3pt attempt from the left corner set up by David Corder | 66-61 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 3-2 zone (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (+3) | |
| 00:43 | Michigan State | Martin Lusk is hacked by Carlton Briley in the backcourt - foul #5 on Carlton Briley, team foul #8 | 66-61 |
| Subs | Michigan State | James James (SF), Thomas Liska (PF) Michael Bollin, Orlando Joiner | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Vernon Morrison (PG) Carlton Briley | |
| 00:43 | Michigan State | Martin Lusk makes the 1st free throw | 67-61 |
| 00:43 | Michigan State | Martin Lusk makes the 2nd free throw | 68-61 |
| 00:35 | Northwestern | Vernon Morrison can't connect on a 3 pointer from the right wing | 68-61 |
| 00:33 | Michigan State | Thomas Liska pulls down the rebound | 68-61 |
| 00:33 | Michigan State | Michigan State calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 68-61 |
| 00:31 | Michigan State | Martin Lusk is hacked by Vernon Morrison in the backcourt - foul #1 on Vernon Morrison, team foul #9 | 68-61 |
| 00:31 | Michigan State | Martin Lusk makes the 1st free throw | 69-61 |
| 00:31 | Michigan State | Martin Lusk makes the 2nd free throw | 70-61 |
| 00:24 | Northwestern | Jamie Murray splits the doubleteam and buries a 3 pointer from the right wing | 70-64 |
| 00:21 | Michigan State | James James is fouled in the backcourt by Jamie Murray - foul #2 on Jamie Murray, team foul #10 | 70-64 |
| 00:21 | Michigan State | James James makes the 1st free throw | 71-64 |
| 00:21 | Michigan State | James James makes the 2nd free throw | 72-64 |
| 00:14 | Northwestern | Vernon Morrison scores on a 3pt attempt from the right wing on a nice dish by a doubleteamed Jamie Murray | 72-67 |
| 00:14 | Michigan State | Michigan State calls a full timeout (2 :30 2 full remaining) | 72-67 |
| 00:12 | Michigan State | James James is fouled in the backcourt by Jamie Murray - foul #3 on Jamie Murray, team foul #11 | 72-67 |
| 00:12 | Michigan State | James James misses the 1st free throw | 72-67 |
| 00:12 | Michigan State | James James makes the 2nd free throw | 73-67 |
| 00:06 | Northwestern | Vernon Morrison can't connect on a 3 pointer from the right corner | 73-67 |
| 00:04 | Michigan State | Gregory Allen grabs the board | 73-67 |
| 00:04 | Michigan State | Michigan State calls a full timeout (2 :30 1 full remaining) | 73-67 |
| 00:03 | Michigan State | Jamie Murray is called for the reach on Orville Curtis in the backcourt - foul #4 on Jamie Murray, team foul #12 | 73-67 |
| 00:03 | Michigan State | Orville Curtis makes the 1st free throw | 74-67 |
| 00:03 | Michigan State | Orville Curtis makes the 2nd free throw | 75-67 |
| 00:00 | Northwestern | Vernon Morrison clanks a halfcourt shot | 75-67 |