| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Todd Fontenot (fresh) SG - Jamie Rogers (fresh) SF - Paul Dotson (fresh) PF - Patrick Welsh (fresh) C - Elmer Snedeker (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Charles Simmons (fresh) SG - William Karr (fresh) SF - Dane Savala (fresh) PF - David Taylor (fresh) C - Walter Crowe (fresh) | |
| 20:00 | Michigan State | Walter Crowe wins the tip | 0-0 |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (0) | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a triangle offense (slowdown) and a man to man (+2) | |
| 19:58 | Michigan State | Charles Simmons is fouled in the backcourt by Jamie Rogers - foul #1 on Jamie Rogers, team foul #1 | 0-0 |
| 19:42 | Michigan State | Walter Crowe scores on a pull-up jumper from the left wing | 0-2 |
| 19:36 | Northwestern | Paul Dotson misses short on a shot from the left side | 0-2 |
| 19:35 | Michigan State | Dane Savala grabs the board | 0-2 |
| 19:10 | Michigan State | Walter Crowe hits the front of the rim on the wide open runner from the right block | 0-2 |
| 19:08 | Northwestern | Patrick Welsh grabs the defensive rebound | 0-2 |
| 18:56 | Northwestern | Elmer Snedeker misses long on a 3 from the left wing | 0-2 |
| 18:55 | Northwestern | Paul Dotson can't tip it in | 0-2 |
| 18:53 | Michigan State | David Taylor grabs the defensive rebound | 0-2 |
| 18:26 | Michigan State | William Karr misses long on a 3pt jumper from the right corner | 0-2 |
| 18:24 | Northwestern | Elmer Snedeker grabs the defensive rebound | 0-2 |
| 18:19 | Northwestern | Todd Fontenot makes the fadeaway jumper from just outside the lane on a nice dish by Elmer Snedeker | 2-2 |
| 18:05 | Michigan State | Paul Dotson steals the ball from William Karr | 2-2 |
| 18:00 | Northwestern | Todd Fontenot banks in the layup set up by Paul Dotson | 4-2 |
| 17:36 | Michigan State | David Taylor misses long on a jumper from the right block but he's fouled by Elmer Snedeker - foul #1 on Elmer Snedeker, team foul #2 | 4-2 |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Washer (PG), Benjamin Matthews (SG), Michael Hutson (SF), George Dumas (C) Todd Fontenot, Jamie Rogers, Paul Dotson, Elmer Snedeker | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Anthony Myers (PG), Rene Conti (SF), John Bombard (PF), John Hatmaker (C) Charles Simmons, William Karr, Dane Savala, Walter Crowe | |
| 17:36 | Michigan State | David Taylor misses the 1st free throw | 4-2 |
| 17:36 | Michigan State | David Taylor makes the 2nd free throw | 4-3 |
| 17:26 | Northwestern | A charge is called on Michael Hutson - foul #1 on Michael Hutson, team foul #3 | 4-3 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Charles Simmons (PG) David Taylor | |
| 17:23 | Michigan State | Rene Conti is fouled in the backcourt by Michael Hutson - foul #2 on Michael Hutson, team foul #4 | 4-3 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Glenn Roberts (SF), Paul McThune (C) Michael Hutson, Patrick Welsh | |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| 17:08 | Michigan State | Rene Conti misses the wide open fadeaway from the baseline | 4-3 |
| 17:06 | Michigan State | John Bombard tips it in | 4-5 |
| 16:39 | Northwestern | Paul McThune hits the front of the rim on the floater from the left wing | 4-5 |
| 16:37 | Michigan State | John Bombard gets the rebound | 4-5 |
| 16:16 | Michigan State | A charge is called on John Hatmaker - foul #1 on John Hatmaker, team foul #1 | 4-5 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Todd Fontenot (PG), Jamie Rogers (SG), Paul Dotson (SF), Patrick Welsh (PF) John Washer, Benjamin Matthews, Glenn Roberts, George Dumas | |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Karr (SG), Dane Savala (SF), Walter Crowe (C) Charles Simmons, Rene Conti, John Hatmaker | |
| 15:54 | Northwestern | Paul Dotson's dunk attempt is rejected by John Bombard | 4-5 |
| 15:52 | Michigan State | Dane Savala gets the rebound | 4-5 |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Todd Fontenot (fresh) 4 pts. SG - Jamie Rogers (fresh) SF - Paul Dotson (fresh) PF - Patrick Welsh (fresh) C - Paul McThune (fairly fresh) | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Anthony Myers (fairly fresh) SG - William Karr (fresh) SF - Dane Savala (fresh) 2 reb. PF - John Bombard (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. C - Walter Crowe (fairly fresh) 2 pts. | |
| 15:26 | Michigan State | William Karr misses long on a 3 from the right corner | 4-5 |
| 15:25 | Michigan State | John Bombard grabs the offensive board | 4-5 |
| 15:05 | Michigan State | William Karr scores on a 3pt jumper from the right wing on a nice dish by Anthony Myers | 4-8 |
| 14:49 | Northwestern | Patrick Welsh comes up short on the shot from the left side | 4-8 |
| 14:47 | Northwestern | Jamie Rogers grabs the offensive rebound | 4-8 |
| 14:24 | Northwestern | Jamie Rogers knocks in the shot from the left wing on a great pass from Todd Fontenot | 6-8 |
| 14:20 | Michigan State | Anthony Myers's pass is intercepted by Todd Fontenot in the backcourt | 6-8 |
| 14:18 | Northwestern | Todd Fontenot misses the lay-in | 6-8 |
| 14:17 | Northwestern | Paul Dotson gets the offensive rebound | 6-8 |
| 14:07 | Northwestern | Patrick Welsh travels with the ball | 6-8 |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Washer (PG), Benjamin Matthews (SG), Glenn Roberts (SF), George Dumas (PF), Elmer Snedeker (C) Todd Fontenot, Jamie Rogers, Paul Dotson, Patrick Welsh, Paul McThune | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Charles Simmons (PG), Rene Conti (SF), David Taylor (PF) William Karr, Dane Savala, Walter Crowe | |
| 13:43 | Michigan State | Charles Simmons misses badly on a shot from the left block but the foul's on Glenn Roberts - foul #1 on Glenn Roberts, team foul #5 | 6-8 |
| 13:43 | Michigan State | Charles Simmons makes the 1st free throw | 6-9 |
| 13:43 | Michigan State | Charles Simmons makes the 2nd free throw | 6-10 |
| 13:31 | Northwestern | George Dumas hits a 3 pointer from the left corner | 9-10 |
| 13:10 | Michigan State | Charles Simmons clanks a floater from the left side but he's fouled by Elmer Snedeker - foul #2 on Elmer Snedeker, team foul #6 | 9-10 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Patrick Welsh (PF) Elmer Snedeker | |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Karr (SG), Dane Savala (SF) Anthony Myers, Rene Conti | |
| 13:10 | Michigan State | Charles Simmons makes the 1st free throw | 9-11 |
| 13:10 | Michigan State | Charles Simmons misses the 2nd free throw | 9-11 |
| 13:10 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Patrick Welsh | 9-11 |
| 12:53 | Northwestern | William Karr picks off the pass by Glenn Roberts | 9-11 |
| 12:40 | Michigan State | William Karr misses short on a shot near the basket but he's hacked by Benjamin Matthews - foul #1 on Benjamin Matthews, team foul #7 | 9-11 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Todd Fontenot (PG), Paul Dotson (SF), Jonathan Alejo (C) Benjamin Matthews, Glenn Roberts, George Dumas | |
| Subs | Michigan State | John Hatmaker (C) John Bombard | |
| 12:40 | Michigan State | William Karr makes the 1st free throw | 9-12 |
| 12:40 | Michigan State | William Karr misses the 2nd free throw | 9-12 |
| 12:40 | Northwestern | Patrick Welsh grabs the defensive rebound | 9-12 |
| 12:28 | Northwestern | Patrick Welsh throws a bad pass out of bounds | 9-12 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Anthony Myers (SG), Rene Conti (SF), John Bombard (PF) William Karr, Dane Savala, David Taylor | |
| 12:03 | Michigan State | Anthony Myers is by himself and knocks in the jumper from the left wing | 9-14 |
| 11:49 | Northwestern | Jonathan Alejo clanks a jumper from the left block but he's fouled by John Hatmaker - foul #2 on John Hatmaker, team foul #2 | 9-14 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jamie Rogers (SG) John Washer | |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Karr (SG), Dane Savala (SF), David Taylor (PF), Walter Crowe (C) Anthony Myers, Rene Conti, John Bombard, John Hatmaker | |
| 11:49 | Northwestern | Jonathan Alejo misses the 1st free throw | 9-14 |
| 11:49 | Northwestern | Jonathan Alejo misses the 2nd free throw | 9-14 |
| 11:49 | Michigan State | David Taylor gets the rebound | 9-14 |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Todd Fontenot (fresh) 4 pts. 1 ast. SG - Jamie Rogers (fresh) 2 pts. SF - Paul Dotson (fresh) 2 reb. PF - Patrick Welsh (fresh) 3 reb. C - Jonathan Alejo (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Charles Simmons (fresh) 3 pts. SG - William Karr (fairly fresh) 4 pts. SF - Dane Savala (fairly fresh) 2 reb. PF - David Taylor (fresh) 1 pts. 2 reb. C - Walter Crowe (fairly fresh) 2 pts. | |
| 11:27 | Michigan State | William Karr is fouled on the floor by Jamie Rogers - foul #2 on Jamie Rogers, team foul #8 | 9-14 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Benjamin Matthews (PG), Glenn Roberts (SG), George Dumas (C) Todd Fontenot, Jamie Rogers, Patrick Welsh | |
| Subs | Michigan State | John Bombard (C) Walter Crowe | |
| 11:27 | Michigan State | William Karr makes the 1st free throw | 9-15 |
| 11:27 | Michigan State | William Karr misses the 2nd free throw | 9-15 |
| 11:27 | Northwestern | Jonathan Alejo snags the defensive board | 9-15 |
| 11:05 | Northwestern | Jonathan Alejo travels with the ball | 9-15 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Patrick Welsh (PF) Jonathan Alejo | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Walter Crowe (C) John Bombard | |
| 11:03 | Michigan State | Patrick Welsh picks off the pass by William Karr in the backcourt | 9-15 |
| 10:48 | Northwestern | George Dumas clanks a runner from the baseline | 9-15 |
| 10:47 | Michigan State | Charles Simmons snags the defensive board | 9-15 |
| 10:43 | Michigan State | Walter Crowe can't finish the layup but he's fouled by Patrick Welsh - foul #1 on Patrick Welsh, team foul #9 | 9-15 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Todd Fontenot (PG) Paul Dotson | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Anthony Myers (SG), John Bombard (PF) William Karr, David Taylor | |
| 10:43 | Michigan State | Walter Crowe makes the 1st free throw | 9-16 |
| 10:43 | Michigan State | Walter Crowe misses the 2nd free throw | 9-16 |
| 10:43 | Northwestern | Patrick Welsh grabs the defensive rebound | 9-16 |
| 10:35 | Northwestern | Glenn Roberts is whistled for traveling | 9-16 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Karr (SG) Anthony Myers | |
| 10:18 | Michigan State | Dane Savala scores on a driving attempt from close range on a great pass from William Karr | 9-18 |
| 09:56 | Northwestern | Todd Fontenot is fouled on the floor by William Karr - foul #1 on William Karr, team foul #3 | 9-18 |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Washer (PG), Paul Dotson (SF), Paul McThune (C) Todd Fontenot, Glenn Roberts, George Dumas | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Anthony Myers (SG), Rene Conti (SF), David Taylor (PF) William Karr, Dane Savala, Walter Crowe | |
| 09:46 | Northwestern | Patrick Welsh dunks the ball set up by Benjamin Matthews | 11-18 |
| 09:25 | Michigan State | David Taylor connects on the jump hook in the lane on a nice dish by Anthony Myers | 11-20 |
| 09:20 | Northwestern | Benjamin Matthews misses badly on a floater in the lane | 11-20 |
| 09:19 | Michigan State | John Bombard gets the rebound | 11-20 |
| 09:15 | Michigan State | Patrick Welsh steals it from Rene Conti in the backcourt | 11-20 |
| 09:08 | Northwestern | Paul Dotson buries a jumpshot from the right side | 13-20 |
| 08:52 | Michigan State | David Taylor hits the front of the rim on the fadeaway from the free throw line | 13-20 |
| 08:50 | Northwestern | Patrick Welsh grabs the defensive rebound | 13-20 |
| 08:44 | Northwestern | John Washer is whistled for a carry | 13-20 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Todd Fontenot (PG), Glenn Roberts (SF), Jonathan Alejo (C) Benjamin Matthews, Paul Dotson, Paul McThune | |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Karr (SG), Dane Savala (SF), Walter Crowe (C) Anthony Myers, Rene Conti, John Bombard | |
| 08:23 | Michigan State | Charles Simmons is alone and drills a jump hook in the lane set up by Dane Savala | 13-22 |
| 07:56 | Northwestern | John Washer comes up short on the 3pt attempt from the right wing | 13-22 |
| 07:54 | Northwestern | Patrick Welsh grabs the offensive board | 13-22 |
| 07:37 | Northwestern | Patrick Welsh clanks a pull-up jumper from the left side but the foul's on William Karr - foul #2 on William Karr, team foul #4 | 13-22 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Paul Dotson (SF), George Dumas (C) Glenn Roberts, Jonathan Alejo | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Anthony Myers (SG), John Bombard (PF) William Karr, David Taylor | |
| 07:37 | Northwestern | Patrick Welsh makes the 1st free throw | 14-22 |
| 07:37 | Northwestern | Patrick Welsh misses the 2nd free throw | 14-22 |
| 07:37 | Michigan State | Walter Crowe pulls down the rebound | 14-22 |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Todd Fontenot (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 1 ast. SG - John Washer (fairly fresh) SF - Paul Dotson (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. PF - Patrick Welsh (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 6 reb. 2 stl. C - George Dumas (fresh) 3 pts. | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Charles Simmons (tiring) 5 pts. SG - Anthony Myers (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 2 ast. SF - Dane Savala (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. PF - John Bombard (tiring) 2 pts. 4 reb. C - Walter Crowe (tiring) 3 pts. | |
| 07:35 | Michigan State | Charles Simmons loses the dribble to Todd Fontenot in the backcourt | 14-22 |
| 07:19 | Northwestern | Patrick Welsh hits the finger roll set up by Paul Dotson | 16-22 |
| 06:55 | Michigan State | Walter Crowe comes up short on the turnaround in the paint | 16-22 |
| 06:53 | Northwestern | Patrick Welsh grabs the defensive rebound | 16-22 |
| 06:47 | Northwestern | Walter Crowe is called for the reach on George Dumas - foul #1 on Walter Crowe, team foul #5 | 16-22 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Benjamin Matthews (SG), Paul McThune (C) John Washer, Patrick Welsh | |
| Subs | Michigan State | David Taylor (C) Walter Crowe | |
| 06:35 | Northwestern | Paul McThune hits a runner in the paint set up by Todd Fontenot | 18-22 |
| 06:21 | Michigan State | David Taylor hits the front of the rim on the wide open jump hook from the right block | 18-22 |
| 06:20 | Northwestern | Paul Dotson gets the rebound | 18-22 |
| 06:16 | Northwestern | Paul Dotson loses the ball out of bounds | 18-22 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Glenn Roberts (SG), Jonathan Alejo (PF) Todd Fontenot, George Dumas | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Rene Conti (SF), Walter Crowe (C) Dane Savala, David Taylor | |
| 05:49 | Michigan State | Charles Simmons is open and buries a floater in the paint on a great pass from Anthony Myers | 18-24 |
| 05:31 | Northwestern | Jonathan Alejo scores on a 3pt jumper from the left wing on a great pass from Benjamin Matthews | 21-24 |
| 05:29 | Michigan State | Charles Simmons is fouled in the backcourt by Benjamin Matthews - foul #2 on Benjamin Matthews, team foul #10 | 21-24 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Todd Fontenot (PG), Patrick Welsh (PF) Benjamin Matthews, Paul McThune | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Dane Savala (SF), David Taylor (PF) Rene Conti, Walter Crowe | |
| 05:29 | Michigan State | Charles Simmons makes the 1st free throw | 21-25 |
| 05:29 | Michigan State | Charles Simmons makes the 2nd free throw | 21-26 |
| 05:16 | Northwestern | Glenn Roberts hits a floater from the left wing on a great pass from Todd Fontenot | 23-26 |
| 05:07 | Michigan State | Paul Dotson steps in front of the Charles Simmons pass | 23-26 |
| 04:54 | Northwestern | Todd Fontenot misses short on a runner from the left block | 23-26 |
| 04:53 | Michigan State | David Taylor snags the defensive board | 23-26 |
| 04:51 | Michigan State | Paul Dotson is called for the reach on Dane Savala in the backcourt - foul #1 on Paul Dotson, team foul #11 | 23-26 |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Washer (SG), George Dumas (C) Glenn Roberts, Jonathan Alejo | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Walter Crowe (C) John Bombard | |
| 04:51 | Michigan State | Dane Savala makes the 1st free throw | 23-27 |
| 04:51 | Michigan State | Dane Savala makes the 2nd free throw | 23-28 |
| 04:31 | Northwestern | George Dumas's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 23-28 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | John Bombard (PF) David Taylor | |
| 04:11 | Michigan State | Charles Simmons misses badly on a fadeaway jumper from the right wing | 23-28 |
| 04:09 | Michigan State | John Bombard tips it home | 23-30 |
| 03:53 | Northwestern | George Dumas comes up short on the pull-up jumper from the left wing | 23-30 |
| 03:52 | Northwestern | Patrick Welsh gets the offensive rebound | 23-30 |
| 03:39 | Northwestern | Paul Dotson clanks a shot from the left wing | 23-30 |
| 03:37 | Michigan State | Anthony Myers grabs the defensive rebound | 23-30 |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Todd Fontenot (tiring) 4 pts. 3 ast. 2 stl. SG - John Washer (fairly fresh) SF - Paul Dotson (tiring) 2 pts. 3 reb. 2 stl. PF - Patrick Welsh (tiring) 5 pts. 8 reb. 2 stl. C - George Dumas (fairly fresh) 3 pts. | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Charles Simmons (tiring) 9 pts. SG - Anthony Myers (tiring) 2 pts. 3 ast. SF - Dane Savala (tiring) 4 pts. 2 reb. PF - John Bombard (tired) 4 pts. 5 reb. C - Walter Crowe (tired) 3 pts. | |
| 03:32 | Michigan State | Michigan State calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 23-30 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Benjamin Matthews (PG), Jamie Rogers (SG), Michael Hutson (SF), Jonathan Alejo (PF), Elmer Snedeker (C) Todd Fontenot, John Washer, Paul Dotson, Patrick Welsh, George Dumas | |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Karr (SG), Rene Conti (SF), David Taylor (PF), John Hatmaker (C) Charles Simmons, Dane Savala, John Bombard, Walter Crowe | |
| 03:12 | Michigan State | David Taylor hits the easy wide open finger roll set up by Anthony Myers | 23-32 |
| 02:58 | Northwestern | Jonathan Alejo can't connect on a jumper from the baseline | 23-32 |
| 02:56 | Michigan State | David Taylor grabs the defensive rebound | 23-32 |
| 02:27 | Michigan State | Anthony Myers makes the floater from the left block on a great pass from Rene Conti | 23-34 |
| 02:22 | Northwestern | Michael Hutson is fouled on the floor by Rene Conti - foul #1 on Rene Conti, team foul #6 | 23-34 |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Washer (PG), Glenn Roberts (SF), George Dumas (PF) Benjamin Matthews, Michael Hutson, Jonathan Alejo | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Charles Simmons (PG), Dane Savala (SF), John Bombard (PF), Walter Crowe (C) Anthony Myers, Rene Conti, David Taylor, John Hatmaker | |
| 02:08 | Northwestern | Jamie Rogers comes up short on the 3 pointer from straight away | 23-34 |
| 02:06 | Michigan State | Charles Simmons grabs the board | 23-34 |
| 01:38 | Michigan State | Dane Savala scores on a floater from the baseline on a great pass from Charles Simmons | 23-36 |
| 01:19 | Northwestern | Glenn Roberts makes the floater from the free throw line and he's hacked by John Bombard - foul #1 on John Bombard, team foul #7 | 25-36 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Todd Fontenot (PG), Benjamin Matthews (SG), Patrick Welsh (PF), Paul McThune (C) John Washer, Jamie Rogers, George Dumas, Elmer Snedeker | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Anthony Myers (PG), David Taylor (PF), John Hatmaker (C) Charles Simmons, John Bombard, Walter Crowe | |
| 01:19 | Northwestern | Glenn Roberts makes the free throw | 26-36 |
| 01:17 | Michigan State | Patrick Welsh takes the ball from Anthony Myers in the backcourt | 26-36 |
| 01:03 | Northwestern | Benjamin Matthews double dribbles | 26-36 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Michael Hutson (SF) Glenn Roberts | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Charles Simmons (PG) Anthony Myers | |
| 00:38 | Michigan State | William Karr hits a jumper in the lane | 26-38 |
| 00:26 | Northwestern | Todd Fontenot is called for traveling | 26-38 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Paul Dotson (SF) Michael Hutson | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Anthony Myers (PG), John Bombard (PF), Walter Crowe (C) Charles Simmons, David Taylor, John Hatmaker | |
| 00:00 | Michigan State | Walter Crowe makes the jump hook in the lane | 26-40 |