| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Robert Henson (fresh) 6 pts. SG - Justin Laforce (fresh) 5 pts. SF - Robert Govan (fresh) 5 pts. 2 reb. PF - James Willson (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. C - William Garrison (fresh) 4 pts. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - James Wager (fresh) 2 pts. 1 ast. SG - Brian Shea (fresh) 2 ast. SF - Richard Kruse (fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. PF - James Allen (fresh) 10 pts. C - Joseph Little (fresh) 6 pts. 5 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Ohio State | Robert Govan inbounds the ball | 24-27 |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense and a man to man (-3) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a flex offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-2) | |
| 19:44 | Ohio State | James Willson misses the driving attempt from the right block but the foul's on James Allen - foul #3 on James Allen, team foul #1 | 24-27 |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| Subs | Illinois | Lance Sanders (PF) James Allen | |
| 19:44 | Ohio State | James Willson makes the 1st free throw | 25-27 |
| 19:44 | Ohio State | James Willson makes the 2nd free throw | 26-27 |
| 19:22 | Illinois | Brian Shea buries a 3 from straight away | 26-30 |
| 19:15 | Ohio State | Robert Govan dunks the ball set up by Robert Henson | 28-30 |
| 18:52 | Illinois | Joseph Little misses badly on a pull-up jumper from just outside the lane but he's fouled by William Garrison - foul #3 on William Garrison, team foul #1 | 28-30 |
| 18:52 | Illinois | Joseph Little makes the 1st free throw | 28-31 |
| 18:52 | Illinois | Joseph Little makes the 2nd free throw | 28-32 |
| 18:32 | Ohio State | Robert Henson scores on a 3pt shot from the right wing | 31-32 |
| 18:19 | Illinois | Joseph Little misses badly on a driving attempt in the lane | 31-32 |
| 18:17 | Ohio State | Robert Govan pulls down the rebound | 31-32 |
| 17:48 | Ohio State | Justin Laforce buries a 3pt shot from the right corner | 34-32 |
| 17:23 | Illinois | Lance Sanders hits the front of the rim on the floater from the right wing but he's fouled by James Willson - foul #3 on James Willson, team foul #2 | 34-32 |
| 17:23 | Illinois | Lance Sanders misses the 1st free throw | 34-32 |
| 17:23 | Illinois | Lance Sanders misses the 2nd free throw | 34-32 |
| 17:23 | Ohio State | William Garrison pulls down the rebound | 34-32 |
| 17:09 | Ohio State | Joseph Little steals it from Justin Laforce | 34-32 |
| 16:40 | Illinois | Joseph Little throws a bad pass out of bounds | 34-32 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Anthony Ratcliff (PF) James Willson | |
| Subs | Illinois | Timothy Hamilton (SG), Shelton Davis (SF) Brian Shea, Richard Kruse | |
| 16:26 | Ohio State | Robert Henson scores on a fadeaway jumper from just outside the lane on a nice dish by Justin Laforce and the foul's on Shelton Davis - foul #1 on Shelton Davis, team foul #2 | 36-32 |
| 16:26 | Ohio State | Robert Henson misses the free throw | 36-32 |
| 16:26 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Lance Sanders | 36-32 |
| 16:24 | Illinois | Robert Henson is called for the reach on James Wager in the backcourt - foul #2 on Robert Henson, team foul #3 | 36-32 |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| Subs | Illinois | Christopher John (PG) James Wager | |
| 16:06 | Illinois | Timothy Hamilton connects on the fadeaway jumper from the right side set up by Christopher John | 36-34 |
| 15:49 | Ohio State | Anthony Ratcliff is wide open but clanks a pull-up jumper from the right wing | 36-34 |
| 15:47 | Illinois | Timothy Hamilton grabs the defensive rebound | 36-34 |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Robert Henson (fairly fresh) 11 pts. 1 ast. SG - Justin Laforce (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 1 ast. SF - Robert Govan (fresh) 7 pts. 3 reb. PF - Anthony Ratcliff (fresh) 3 reb. C - William Garrison (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. 3 pf. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Christopher John (fresh) 1 ast. SG - Timothy Hamilton (fresh) 8 pts. SF - Shelton Davis (fresh) 3 reb. PF - Lance Sanders (fairly fresh) 2 reb. 2 blk. C - Joseph Little (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 5 reb. | |
| 15:23 | Illinois | Joseph Little buries a shot from close range | 36-36 |
| 15:21 | Ohio State | Robert Henson throws a bad pass out of bounds in the backcourt | 36-36 |
| Subs | Ohio State | George Graves (SF) Robert Govan | |
| Subs | Illinois | James Wager (PG), Brian Shea (SG), Richard Kruse (SF), James Allen (PF), Arthur Drown (C) Christopher John, Timothy Hamilton, Shelton Davis, Lance Sanders, Joseph Little | |
| 15:07 | Illinois | Richard Kruse connects on the jumpshot from the right wing on a nice dish by James Allen and the foul's on George Graves - foul #1 on George Graves, team foul #4 | 36-38 |
| Subs | Ohio State | James Willson (PF) Anthony Ratcliff | |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| 15:07 | Illinois | Richard Kruse makes the free throw | 36-39 |
| 14:49 | Ohio State | Arthur Drown is called for the reach on William Garrison - foul #1 on Arthur Drown, team foul #3 | 36-39 |
| 14:37 | Ohio State | William Garrison clanks a fadeaway from the baseline but the foul's on Arthur Drown - foul #2 on Arthur Drown, team foul #4 | 36-39 |
| 14:37 | Ohio State | William Garrison misses the 1st free throw | 36-39 |
| 14:37 | Ohio State | William Garrison misses the 2nd free throw | 36-39 |
| 14:37 | Illinois | James Allen grabs the board | 36-39 |
| 14:14 | Illinois | Brian Shea's pass is intercepted by Robert Henson | 36-39 |
| 14:02 | Ohio State | James Willson loses the dribble to Richard Kruse | 36-39 |
| 13:40 | Illinois | James Allen clanks a jump hook near the basket | 36-39 |
| 13:38 | Ohio State | William Garrison pulls down the rebound | 36-39 |
| 13:27 | Ohio State | James Willson misses the 3 pointer from straight away | 36-39 |
| 13:25 | Illinois | Arthur Drown gets the rebound | 36-39 |
| 13:04 | Illinois | James Wager drills a 3pt jumper from the left wing on a great pass from Richard Kruse | 36-42 |
| 12:54 | Ohio State | William Garrison makes the jumper in the paint on a nice dish by a doubleteamed Robert Henson | 38-42 |
| 12:40 | Illinois | Richard Kruse misses short on a floater from the right wing | 38-42 |
| 12:39 | Ohio State | Robert Henson gets the rebound | 38-42 |
| 12:19 | Ohio State | Justin Laforce clanks a 3 pointer from the left corner | 38-42 |
| 12:17 | Ohio State | Robert Henson grabs the offensive board | 38-42 |
| 11:58 | Ohio State | Robert Henson makes the contested 3pt shot from the right wing on a nice dish by George Graves | 41-42 |
| 11:42 | Illinois | George Graves takes the ball from Richard Kruse | 41-42 |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Robert Henson (fairly fresh) 14 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SG - Justin Laforce (tiring) 8 pts. 1 ast. SF - George Graves (fairly fresh) 1 ast. PF - James Willson (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. 3 pf. C - William Garrison (tiring) 6 pts. 3 reb. 3 pf. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - James Wager (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 1 ast. SG - Brian Shea (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 2 ast. SF - Richard Kruse (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 2 ast. PF - James Allen (fairly fresh) 10 pts. 2 reb. 3 pf. C - Arthur Drown (fairly fresh) | |
| 11:30 | Ohio State | Justin Laforce misses short on a jumpshot from the right wing | 41-42 |
| 11:28 | Illinois | James Wager pulls down the rebound | 41-42 |
| 11:11 | Illinois | James Wager can't connect on a 3 from the left corner | 41-42 |
| 11:09 | Illinois | Arthur Drown misses the tip | 41-42 |
| 11:08 | Ohio State | Justin Laforce grabs the defensive rebound | 41-42 |
| 10:43 | Ohio State | Richard Kruse picks off the pass by James Willson | 41-42 |
| 10:20 | Illinois | Richard Kruse is fouled on the floor by George Graves - foul #2 on George Graves, team foul #5 | 41-42 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Wesley Boyd (PG), Robert Govan (SF), Anthony Ratcliff (PF), Carlos Simone (C) Robert Henson, George Graves, James Willson, William Garrison | |
| Subs | Illinois | Christopher John (PG), Timothy Hamilton (SG), Shelton Davis (SF), Lance Sanders (PF), Joseph Little (C) James Wager, Brian Shea, Richard Kruse, James Allen, Arthur Drown | |
| 09:56 | Illinois | Joseph Little misses the jumper from the right side but he's fouled by Wesley Boyd - foul #2 on Wesley Boyd, team foul #6 | 41-42 |
| 09:56 | Illinois | Joseph Little makes the 1st free throw | 41-43 |
| 09:56 | Illinois | Joseph Little makes the 2nd free throw | 41-44 |
| 09:44 | Ohio State | Carlos Simone connects on the fadeaway jumper from just outside the lane | 43-44 |
| 09:16 | Illinois | Christopher John lays it up and in | 43-46 |
| 08:55 | Ohio State | Justin Laforce evades the doubleteam and hits a 3pt jumper from the left wing | 46-46 |
| 08:29 | Illinois | Joseph Little hits the finger roll | 46-48 |
| 08:07 | Ohio State | Robert Govan connects on the runner near the basket and he's fouled by Joseph Little - foul #1 on Joseph Little, team foul #5 | 48-48 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Robert Henson (PG) Justin Laforce | |
| Subs | Illinois | James Wager (PG) Christopher John | |
| 08:07 | Ohio State | Robert Govan makes the free throw | 49-48 |
| 07:44 | Illinois | Joseph Little lays it up and in set up by Shelton Davis | 49-50 |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Robert Henson (fairly fresh) 14 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SG - Wesley Boyd (fresh) 2 ast. SF - Robert Govan (fresh) 10 pts. 3 reb. PF - Anthony Ratcliff (fresh) 3 reb. C - Carlos Simone (fresh) 4 pts. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - James Wager (fresh) 5 pts. 1 ast. SG - Timothy Hamilton (fresh) 8 pts. SF - Shelton Davis (fresh) 3 reb. PF - Lance Sanders (fresh) 2 reb. 2 blk. C - Joseph Little (fresh) 16 pts. 5 reb. | |
| 07:26 | Ohio State | Carlos Simone misses badly on a jumper near the basket but the foul's on Joseph Little - foul #2 on Joseph Little, team foul #6 | 49-50 |
| Subs | Ohio State | George Graves (SG) Wesley Boyd | |
| Subs | Illinois | Christopher John (SG), Richard Kruse (SF), James Allen (PF) Timothy Hamilton, Shelton Davis, Lance Sanders | |
| 07:26 | Ohio State | Carlos Simone misses the 1st free throw | 49-50 |
| 07:26 | Ohio State | Carlos Simone misses the 2nd free throw | 49-50 |
| 07:26 | Illinois | James Allen snags the defensive board | 49-50 |
| 07:02 | Illinois | Joseph Little can't connect on a fadeaway in the paint | 49-50 |
| 07:01 | Ohio State | Robert Govan grabs the defensive rebound | 49-50 |
| 06:43 | Ohio State | Joseph Little takes the ball from George Graves | 49-50 |
| 06:27 | Illinois | Christopher John's pass is intercepted by George Graves | 49-50 |
| 06:24 | Ohio State | Anthony Ratcliff hits the finger roll set up by George Graves | 51-50 |
| 06:10 | Illinois | James Wager is hacked by Carlos Simone - foul #1 on Carlos Simone, team foul #7 | 51-50 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Wesley Boyd (SG), James Willson (PF), William Garrison (C) Robert Govan, Anthony Ratcliff, Carlos Simone | |
| Subs | Illinois | Brian Shea (SG), Shelton Davis (SF), Arthur Drown (C) Christopher John, Richard Kruse, Joseph Little | |
| 06:10 | Illinois | James Wager makes the 1st free throw | 51-51 |
| 06:10 | Illinois | James Wager makes the 2nd free throw | 51-52 |
| 05:57 | Ohio State | Robert Henson shoots over the doubleteam but comes up short on the shot from the left wing | 51-52 |
| 05:55 | Illinois | Arthur Drown grabs the defensive rebound | 51-52 |
| 05:29 | Illinois | James Wager misses short on a jumper from the free throw line | 51-52 |
| 05:28 | Ohio State | James Willson snags the defensive board | 51-52 |
| 05:23 | Ohio State | Robert Henson clanks a 3 from the right corner | 51-52 |
| 05:22 | Illinois | Shelton Davis snags the defensive board | 51-52 |
| 05:08 | Illinois | James Wager knocks in the 3 pointer from straight away | 51-55 |
| 04:49 | Ohio State | Arthur Drown denies the turnaround by William Garrison | 51-55 |
| 04:48 | Ohio State | William Garrison snags the offensive board | 51-55 |
| 04:33 | Ohio State | Brian Shea steals the ball from George Graves | 51-55 |
| 04:29 | Illinois | James Wager hits the finger roll on a nice dish by Brian Shea | 51-57 |
| 04:00 | Ohio State | Robert Henson hits a 3pt shot from the left corner | 54-57 |
| 04:00 | Illinois | Illinois calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 54-57 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Justin Laforce (SG), Robert Govan (SF) Wesley Boyd, George Graves | |
| Subs | Illinois | Richard Kruse (SF), Joseph Little (C) Shelton Davis, Arthur Drown | |
| 03:36 | Illinois | Joseph Little misses long on a driving attempt from the right block | 54-57 |
| 03:35 | Ohio State | The rebound goes to William Garrison | 54-57 |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Robert Henson (fairly fresh) 17 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SG - Justin Laforce (fresh) 11 pts. 1 ast. SF - Robert Govan (fresh) 10 pts. 4 reb. PF - James Willson (fresh) 4 pts. 3 reb. 3 pf. C - William Garrison (fresh) 6 pts. 5 reb. 3 pf. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - James Wager (fresh) 12 pts. 1 ast. SG - Brian Shea (fresh) 3 pts. 3 ast. 2 stl. SF - Richard Kruse (fresh) 6 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. PF - James Allen (fresh) 10 pts. 3 reb. 3 pf. C - Joseph Little (fresh) 16 pts. 5 reb. 2 stl. | |
| 03:09 | Ohio State | Robert Henson works out of a doubleteam but hits the front of the rim on the fadeaway from just outside the lane | 54-57 |
| 03:08 | Illinois | James Wager gets the rebound | 54-57 |
| 03:04 | Illinois | Richard Kruse clanks a 3 from straight away | 54-57 |
| 03:02 | Ohio State | William Garrison grabs the board | 54-57 |
| 02:48 | Ohio State | Justin Laforce misses badly on a 3pt shot from straight away | 54-57 |
| 02:47 | Illinois | James Allen pulls down the rebound | 54-57 |
| 02:24 | Illinois | James Allen loses the dribble to William Garrison | 54-57 |
| 02:17 | Ohio State | William Garrison is fouled on the floor by James Wager - foul #2 on James Wager, team foul #7 | 54-57 |
| Subs | Ohio State | Anthony Ratcliff (PF) James Willson | |
| Subs | Illinois | Timothy Hamilton (SG), Lance Sanders (PF) James Wager, James Allen | |
| 02:17 | Ohio State | William Garrison misses the 1st free throw | 54-57 |
| 02:17 | Illinois | Joseph Little gets the rebound | 54-57 |
| 02:17 | Illinois | Illinois calls a full timeout (2 :30 2 full remaining) | 54-57 |
| 01:51 | Illinois | Timothy Hamilton misses the jumpshot from just outside the lane | 54-57 |
| 01:50 | Ohio State | Justin Laforce grabs the defensive rebound | 54-57 |
| 01:30 | Ohio State | Robert Henson comes up short on the 3pt jumper from the right corner | 54-57 |
| 01:28 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Joseph Little | 54-57 |
| 01:28 | Illinois | Illinois calls a full timeout (2 :30 1 full remaining) | 54-57 |
| Subs | Ohio State | James Willson (PF) Anthony Ratcliff | |
| Subs | Illinois | James Wager (PG), James Allen (PF) Timothy Hamilton, Lance Sanders | |
| 01:13 | Illinois | James Wager is hacked by Robert Henson - foul #3 on Robert Henson, team foul #8 | 54-57 |
| 01:13 | Illinois | James Wager makes the 1st free throw | 54-58 |
| 01:13 | Illinois | James Wager makes the 2nd free throw | 54-59 |
| 00:57 | Ohio State | Robert Govan connects on the floater from the right side on a great pass from Justin Laforce | 56-59 |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense and a man to man (-3) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (-2) | |
| 00:29 | Illinois | Joseph Little can't finish the layup but the foul's on Justin Laforce - foul #3 on Justin Laforce, team foul #9 | 56-59 |
| 00:29 | Illinois | Joseph Little misses the 1st free throw | 56-59 |
| 00:29 | Illinois | Joseph Little makes the 2nd free throw | 56-60 |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a man to man (-3) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (-2) | |
| 00:21 | Ohio State | Robert Henson can't connect on a 3pt jumper from the right wing | 56-60 |
| 00:20 | Ohio State | William Garrison grabs the offensive rebound | 56-60 |
| 00:16 | Ohio State | Justin Laforce misses long on a 3pt jumper from the right corner | 56-60 |
| 00:15 | Ohio State | James Willson grabs the offensive board | 56-60 |
| 00:12 | Ohio State | Justin Laforce connects on the 3pt attempt from straight away on a great pass from Robert Henson | 59-60 |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (-3) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (-2) | |
| 00:11 | Illinois | Justin Laforce is called for the reach on Joseph Little in the backcourt - foul #4 on Justin Laforce, team foul #10 | 59-60 |
| 00:11 | Illinois | Joseph Little makes the 1st free throw | 59-61 |
| 00:11 | Illinois | Joseph Little misses the 2nd free throw | 59-61 |
| 00:11 | Ohio State | William Garrison grabs the defensive rebound | 59-61 |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense and intentionally fouling (-3) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (-2) | |
| 00:07 | Ohio State | Robert Henson evades the doubleteam but misses long on a jumpshot from the free throw line | 59-61 |
| 00:06 | Ohio State | James Willson tips it home | 61-61 |
| 00:06 | Illinois | Illinois calls a :30 timeout (1 :30 1 full remaining) | 61-61 |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense and a man to man (-3) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (-2) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense and a man to man (-3) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a man to man (-2) | |
| 00:01 | Illinois | James Wager connects on the turnaround near the basket | 61-63 |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a man to man (-3) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a man to man (-2) | |
| 00:00 | Ohio State | Robert Govan comes up short on the fullcourt shot | 61-63 |