| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Daniel Lee (fresh) 2 pts. SG - John Morrison (fresh) 4 pts. 1 ast. SF - Robert Hale (fresh) 3 pf. PF - Norman Provost (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. 2 blk. C - Lawrence Branson (fresh) 7 pts. 2 reb. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Scott Menke (fresh) 3 pts. 3 pf. SG - Kenneth Orrell (fresh) 2 pts. 2 ast. SF - Gerald Ruff (fresh) 4 pts. PF - Eugene Williams (fresh) 4 pts. 5 reb. C - John Frazier (fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Ohio State | Gerald Ruff inbounds the ball | 20-17 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a 3-2 zone (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (+1) | |
| 19:39 | Ohio State | Eugene Williams hits a jumper in the lane set up by Kenneth Orrell | 20-19 |
| 19:10 | Illinois | Lawrence Branson hits a turnaround in the paint | 22-19 |
| 18:45 | Ohio State | Kenneth Orrell is fouled on the floor by Lawrence Branson - foul #2 on Lawrence Branson, team foul #1 | 22-19 |
| 18:33 | Ohio State | Scott Menke is fouled on the floor by Daniel Lee - foul #3 on Daniel Lee, team foul #2 | 22-19 |
| 18:19 | Ohio State | Eugene Williams misses long on a fadeaway jumper from just outside the lane | 22-19 |
| 18:17 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Robert Hale | 22-19 |
| 18:02 | Illinois | Norman Provost makes the jumper from the baseline on a nice dish by Daniel Lee | 24-19 |
| 17:40 | Ohio State | Scott Menke knocks in the fadeaway from the free throw line on a nice dish by Eugene Williams | 24-21 |
| 17:24 | Illinois | Robert Hale makes the jump hook from the left block | 26-21 |
| 17:00 | Ohio State | John Frazier makes the floater from close range | 26-23 |
| 16:37 | Illinois | Norman Provost connects on the fadeaway jumper from the free throw line | 28-23 |
| 16:08 | Ohio State | John Frazier's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 28-23 |
| Subs | Illinois | Louis Gordon (PG) Daniel Lee | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 15:42 | Illinois | John Morrison hits a fadeaway jumper from the right side on a great pass from Norman Provost | 30-23 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Louis Gordon (fresh) 5 pts. SG - John Morrison (fresh) 6 pts. 1 ast. SF - Robert Hale (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. 3 pf. PF - Norman Provost (fresh) 6 pts. 3 reb. 2 blk. C - Lawrence Branson (fresh) 9 pts. 2 reb. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Scott Menke (fresh) 5 pts. 3 pf. SG - Kenneth Orrell (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 3 ast. SF - Gerald Ruff (fresh) 4 pts. PF - Eugene Williams (fresh) 6 pts. 5 reb. C - John Frazier (fresh) 6 pts. 2 reb. | |
| 15:18 | Ohio State | John Frazier blows the dunk | 30-23 |
| 15:16 | Ohio State | Gerald Ruff hits the follow up shot | 30-25 |
| 14:51 | Illinois | Lawrence Branson misses badly on a turnaround from the right block | 30-25 |
| 14:50 | Ohio State | The rebound goes to Gerald Ruff | 30-25 |
| 14:24 | Ohio State | Eugene Williams drills a fadeaway from the left side and he's fouled by Norman Provost - foul #2 on Norman Provost, team foul #3 | 30-27 |
| Subs | Illinois | Daniel Lee (PG), John Mauriello (SF), Edward Davies (PF) John Morrison, Robert Hale, Norman Provost | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Joe Charles (PG), Daniel Pate (SF), Marijan Magalski (C) Scott Menke, Gerald Ruff, John Frazier | |
| 14:24 | Ohio State | Eugene Williams makes the free throw | 30-28 |
| 14:00 | Illinois | The jumper by Louis Gordon is denied by Eugene Williams | 30-28 |
| 13:58 | Illinois | Lawrence Branson grabs the offensive board | 30-28 |
| 13:44 | Illinois | Lawrence Branson misses the driving attempt in the paint but the foul's on Marijan Magalski - foul #1 on Marijan Magalski, team foul #1 | 30-28 |
| 13:44 | Illinois | Lawrence Branson makes the 1st free throw | 31-28 |
| 13:44 | Illinois | Lawrence Branson misses the 2nd free throw | 31-28 |
| 13:44 | Illinois | Edward Davies snags the offensive board | 31-28 |
| 13:25 | Illinois | Lawrence Branson makes the driving attempt from the right block on a nice dish by John Mauriello | 33-28 |
| 13:06 | Ohio State | Marijan Magalski misses the jumper from the left wing | 33-28 |
| 13:05 | Illinois | John Mauriello grabs the board | 33-28 |
| 12:38 | Illinois | John Mauriello double dribbles | 33-28 |
| Subs | Illinois | John Morrison (SG), Robert Hale (SF), Norman Provost (PF) Louis Gordon, John Mauriello, Lawrence Branson | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Scott Menke (PG), Gerald Ruff (SF), John Frazier (C) Kenneth Orrell, Eugene Williams, Marijan Magalski | |
| 12:14 | Ohio State | Scott Menke hits a floater from just outside the lane | 33-30 |
| 11:53 | Illinois | John Morrison misses long on a fadeaway from the free throw line but he's fouled by Scott Menke - foul #4 on Scott Menke, team foul #2 | 33-30 |
| 11:53 | Illinois | John Morrison makes the 1st free throw | 34-30 |
| 11:53 | Illinois | John Morrison makes the 2nd free throw | 35-30 |
| 11:27 | Ohio State | John Frazier misses badly on the uncontested jumper from the right side | 35-30 |
| 11:25 | Illinois | John Morrison snags the defensive board | 35-30 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Daniel Lee (fresh) 2 pts. 1 ast. 3 pf. SG - John Morrison (fresh) 8 pts. 1 ast. SF - Robert Hale (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. 3 pf. PF - Norman Provost (fresh) 6 pts. 3 reb. 2 blk. C - Edward Davies (fresh) 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Scott Menke (fresh) 7 pts. 4 pf. SG - Joe Charles (fresh) SF - Gerald Ruff (fresh) 6 pts. 3 reb. PF - Daniel Pate (fresh) C - John Frazier (fresh) 6 pts. 2 reb. | |
| 11:19 | Illinois | John Morrison is hacked by John Frazier - foul #3 on John Frazier, team foul #3 | 35-30 |
| 10:55 | Illinois | John Morrison hits the front of the rim on the 3pt jumper from the left corner | 35-30 |
| 10:53 | Ohio State | Daniel Pate pulls down the rebound | 35-30 |
| 10:34 | Ohio State | Norman Provost steps in front of the Gerald Ruff pass | 35-30 |
| 10:05 | Illinois | John Morrison loses the dribble to John Frazier | 35-30 |
| 09:36 | Ohio State | Daniel Pate misses badly on the uncontested runner in the paint | 35-30 |
| 09:35 | Ohio State | Scott Menke can't tip it in | 35-30 |
| 09:33 | Illinois | John Morrison snags the defensive board | 35-30 |
| 09:07 | Illinois | Daniel Lee drills a pull-up jumper from the left wing set up by John Morrison | 37-30 |
| 08:49 | Ohio State | Daniel Lee is called for the reach on Gerald Ruff - foul #4 on Daniel Lee, team foul #4 | 37-30 |
| Subs | Illinois | Louis Gordon (PG), John Mauriello (SG), Lawrence Branson (C) Daniel Lee, John Morrison, Edward Davies | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Kenneth Orrell (SG), Eugene Williams (PF) Joe Charles, Daniel Pate | |
| 08:31 | Ohio State | Eugene Williams jams it on a nice dish by Scott Menke | 37-32 |
| 08:18 | Illinois | Louis Gordon misses long on a 3 pointer from the right corner | 37-32 |
| 08:16 | Illinois | John Mauriello snags the offensive board | 37-32 |
| 07:49 | Illinois | Norman Provost hits the front of the rim on the jumpshot from just outside the lane | 37-32 |
| 07:47 | Ohio State | Eugene Williams grabs the board | 37-32 |
| 07:33 | Ohio State | Eugene Williams connects on the driving attempt from the right block on a great pass from Scott Menke | 37-34 |
| 07:04 | Illinois | Norman Provost is denied on a layup by Eugene Williams | 37-34 |
| 07:03 | Ohio State | John Frazier snags the defensive board | 37-34 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Louis Gordon (fresh) 5 pts. SG - John Mauriello (fresh) 7 reb. SF - Robert Hale (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. 3 pf. PF - Norman Provost (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 3 reb. 2 blk. C - Lawrence Branson (fresh) 12 pts. 3 reb. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Scott Menke (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 2 ast. 4 pf. SG - Kenneth Orrell (fresh) 2 pts. 3 ast. SF - Gerald Ruff (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 3 reb. PF - Eugene Williams (fresh) 13 pts. 6 reb. 3 blk. C - John Frazier (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 3 reb. 2 stl. 3 pf. | |
| 06:45 | Ohio State | Gerald Ruff makes the jumpshot from just outside the lane on a nice dish by Scott Menke | 37-36 |
| 06:22 | Illinois | John Mauriello scores on a shot in the lane set up by Norman Provost | 39-36 |
| 05:56 | Ohio State | Kenneth Orrell hits the front of the rim on the jumper from just outside the lane | 39-36 |
| 05:54 | Illinois | Lawrence Branson snags the defensive board | 39-36 |
| 05:54 | Illinois | Illinois calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 39-36 |
| Subs | Illinois | Daniel Lee (PG), John Morrison (SG), Edward Davies (PF) Louis Gordon, John Mauriello, Norman Provost | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 05:35 | Illinois | Daniel Lee is fouled on the floor by Scott Menke - foul #5 on Scott Menke, team foul #4 | 39-36 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Joe Charles (PG) Scott Menke | |
| 05:19 | Illinois | John Morrison hits a 3 pointer from the left wing | 42-36 |
| 05:05 | Ohio State | John Frazier blows the layup but he's fouled by Daniel Lee - foul #5 on Daniel Lee, team foul #5 | 42-36 |
| Subs | Illinois | Louis Gordon (PG) Daniel Lee | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 05:05 | Ohio State | John Frazier misses the 1st free throw | 42-36 |
| 05:05 | Ohio State | John Frazier makes the 2nd free throw | 42-37 |
| 04:42 | Illinois | Robert Hale hits the front of the rim on the floater from the right side but the foul's on Kenneth Orrell - foul #2 on Kenneth Orrell, team foul #5 | 42-37 |
| Subs | Illinois | Norman Provost (PF) Edward Davies | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 04:42 | Illinois | Robert Hale misses the 1st free throw | 42-37 |
| 04:42 | Illinois | Robert Hale misses the 2nd free throw | 42-37 |
| 04:42 | Ohio State | The rebound goes to Gerald Ruff | 42-37 |
| 04:25 | Ohio State | Eugene Williams hits the front of the rim on the driving attempt in the lane | 42-37 |
| 04:23 | Illinois | Lawrence Branson gets the rebound | 42-37 |
| 04:05 | Illinois | John Morrison hits a 3pt shot from the left corner | 45-37 |
| 03:47 | Ohio State | Gerald Ruff is whistled for traveling | 45-37 |
| Subs | Illinois | John Mauriello (SF) Robert Hale | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Daniel Pate (SF), Marijan Magalski (C) Gerald Ruff, John Frazier | |
| 03:23 | Illinois | Norman Provost buries a jump hook near the basket on a nice dish by Louis Gordon | 47-37 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a 3-2 zone (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense and a man to man (+1) | |
| 03:09 | Ohio State | Lawrence Branson steps in front of the Marijan Magalski pass | 47-37 |
| 02:48 | Illinois | Lawrence Branson misses the lay-in | 47-37 |
| 02:46 | Illinois | John Morrison can't tip it in | 47-37 |
| 02:44 | Ohio State | Marijan Magalski grabs the defensive rebound | 47-37 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Louis Gordon (fresh) 5 pts. SG - John Morrison (fresh) 14 pts. 2 ast. SF - John Mauriello (fresh) 2 pts. 7 reb. PF - Norman Provost (fresh) 8 pts. 3 reb. 2 blk. C - Lawrence Branson (fresh) 12 pts. 5 reb. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Joe Charles (fresh) SG - Kenneth Orrell (fresh) 2 pts. 3 ast. SF - Daniel Pate (fresh) 2 reb. PF - Eugene Williams (fresh) 13 pts. 6 reb. 3 blk. C - Marijan Magalski (fresh) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a 3-2 zone (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a man to man (+1) | |
| 02:38 | Ohio State | Marijan Magalski's layup is rejected by John Mauriello | 47-37 |
| 02:37 | Illinois | Lawrence Branson snags the defensive board | 47-37 |
| 02:32 | Illinois | Louis Gordon makes the shot from the right side and the foul's on Daniel Pate - foul #1 on Daniel Pate, team foul #6 | 49-37 |
| Subs | Illinois | Robert Hale (SF) John Mauriello | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Gerald Ruff (SF), John Frazier (C) Daniel Pate, Marijan Magalski | |
| 02:32 | Illinois | Louis Gordon misses the free throw | 49-37 |
| 02:32 | Ohio State | Gerald Ruff grabs the defensive rebound | 49-37 |
| 02:19 | Ohio State | Eugene Williams hits the front of the rim on the turnaround from close range | 49-37 |
| 02:18 | Illinois | Lawrence Branson grabs the board | 49-37 |
| 02:14 | Illinois | John Morrison misses long on a shot from the right side | 49-37 |
| 02:12 | Illinois | Robert Hale snags the offensive board | 49-37 |
| 01:48 | Illinois | John Frazier swats the short shot by John Morrison | 49-37 |
| 01:46 | Illinois | The offensive rebound goes to Lawrence Branson | 49-37 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a 3-2 zone (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a man to man (-2) | |
| 01:22 | Illinois | Norman Provost makes the fadeaway in the paint on a great pass from Louis Gordon | 51-37 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a 3-2 zone (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a man to man (-2) | |
| 01:08 | Ohio State | Joe Charles hits a fadeaway from the free throw line and the foul's on John Morrison - foul #1 on John Morrison, team foul #6 | 51-39 |
| 01:08 | Ohio State | Joe Charles makes the free throw | 51-40 |
| 01:06 | Illinois | Louis Gordon is fouled in the backcourt by Joe Charles - foul #3 on Joe Charles, team foul #7 | 51-40 |
| 01:06 | Illinois | Louis Gordon misses the 1st free throw | 51-40 |
| 01:06 | Ohio State | John Frazier snags the defensive board | 51-40 |
| 00:54 | Ohio State | Eugene Williams misses badly on a jumpshot from the right side | 51-40 |
| 00:52 | Ohio State | John Frazier tips it back up and in | 51-42 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 3-2 zone (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and intentionally fouling (-2) | |
| 00:49 | Illinois | Joe Charles is called for the reach on Norman Provost in the backcourt - foul #4 on Joe Charles, team foul #8 | 51-42 |
| Subs | Illinois | John Mauriello (SF) Robert Hale | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 00:49 | Illinois | Norman Provost makes the 1st free throw | 52-42 |
| 00:49 | Illinois | Norman Provost makes the 2nd free throw | 53-42 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 3-2 zone (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (-2) | |
| 00:41 | Ohio State | John Frazier throws it down | 53-44 |
| 00:41 | Illinois | Illinois calls a full timeout (2 :30 2 full remaining) | 53-44 |
| 00:40 | Illinois | Louis Gordon is hacked by Joe Charles in the backcourt - foul #5 on Joe Charles, team foul #9 | 53-44 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Eddie Roth (PG) Joe Charles | |
| 00:40 | Illinois | Louis Gordon makes the 1st free throw | 54-44 |
| 00:40 | Illinois | Louis Gordon makes the 2nd free throw | 55-44 |
| 00:34 | Ohio State | Lawrence Branson is called for the reach on Eugene Williams - foul #3 on Lawrence Branson, team foul #7 | 55-44 |
| Subs | Illinois | Robert Hale (SF) John Mauriello | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Daniel Pate (PF) Eddie Roth | |
| 00:34 | Ohio State | Eugene Williams makes the 1st free throw | 55-45 |
| 00:34 | Ohio State | Eugene Williams misses the 2nd free throw | 55-45 |
| 00:34 | Illinois | John Morrison grabs the defensive rebound | 55-45 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 3-2 zone (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a man to man (-2) | |
| 00:13 | Illinois | Gerald Ruff steps in front of the John Morrison pass | 55-45 |
| 00:06 | Ohio State | Daniel Pate makes the jumpshot from the right side on a nice dish by Gerald Ruff | 55-47 |
| 00:00 | Illinois | Louis Gordon runs out the clock | 55-47 |