| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Vern Stegall (fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. 3 pf. SG - Terry Davidson (fresh) 6 pts. 2 ast. SF - Fred Langlais (fresh) 5 pts. 2 reb. PF - James Lamothe (fresh) 4 pts. 6 reb. C - Michael Hurwitz (fresh) 3 pts. 5 reb. 2 stl. | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Randy Carson (fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. SG - Alan Barker (fresh) 1 pts. SF - Byron Steele (fresh) 1 ast. 3 pf. PF - Stuart Anderson (fresh) 4 pts. 7 reb. C - Eugene Rice (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Ohio State | Byron Steele inbounds the ball | 33-19 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a fastbreak offense and a 2-3 zone (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (0) | |
| 19:42 | Ohio State | Randy Carson drills a jumpshot from the free throw line | 33-21 |
| 19:37 | Michigan State | Vern Stegall scores on a fadeaway from the right wing on a great pass from Terry Davidson and the foul's on Byron Steele - foul #4 on Byron Steele, team foul #1 | 35-21 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Michael Thornton (SG), Sterling Hardnett (SF) Terry Davidson, Fred Langlais | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Bradley Saltz (SF) Byron Steele | |
| 19:37 | Michigan State | Vern Stegall makes the free throw | 36-21 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a fastbreak offense and a 2-3 zone (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense and a man to man (0) | |
| 19:10 | Ohio State | Bradley Saltz connects on the fadeaway from the free throw line on a nice dish by Eugene Rice | 36-23 |
| 18:59 | Michigan State | Vern Stegall works out of a doubleteam and scores on a 3pt shot from the right wing set up by Michael Thornton | 39-23 |
| 18:52 | Ohio State | Randy Carson buries a pull-up jumper from just outside the lane on a great pass from Bradley Saltz | 39-25 |
| 18:46 | Michigan State | James Lamothe misses the easy layup | 39-25 |
| 18:45 | Michigan State | Sterling Hardnett can't tip it in | 39-25 |
| 18:43 | Michigan State | Sterling Hardnett snags the offensive board | 39-25 |
| 18:23 | Michigan State | James Lamothe is hacked by Stuart Anderson - foul #1 on Stuart Anderson, team foul #2 | 39-25 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Terry Davidson (SG), Fred Langlais (SF), John Hubbs (C) Michael Thornton, Sterling Hardnett, Michael Hurwitz | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 18:09 | Michigan State | Alan Barker is called for the reach on Fred Langlais - foul #1 on Alan Barker, team foul #3 | 39-25 |
| 17:50 | Michigan State | Terry Davidson is alone and drills a jumper from the free throw line on a great pass from Fred Langlais | 41-25 |
| 17:38 | Ohio State | Randy Carson misses short on a shot from just outside the lane | 41-25 |
| 17:36 | Ohio State | Alan Barker grabs the offensive board | 41-25 |
| 17:29 | Ohio State | Stuart Anderson clanks a pull-up jumper from the right wing | 41-25 |
| 17:28 | Michigan State | John Hubbs gets the rebound | 41-25 |
| 17:06 | Michigan State | Randy Carson picks off the pass by Terry Davidson | 41-25 |
| 17:03 | Ohio State | Randy Carson hits the finger roll | 41-27 |
| 16:49 | Michigan State | John Hubbs is called for the illegal screen - foul #2 on John Hubbs, team foul #1 | 41-27 |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Watt (SG), Sterling Hardnett (SF), Wayne Stewart (PF), Michael Hurwitz (C) Terry Davidson, Fred Langlais, James Lamothe, John Hubbs | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Jamie Gagner (SG), Irvin Blandon (C) Alan Barker, Eugene Rice | |
| 16:25 | Ohio State | Jamie Gagner connects on the fadeaway near the basket on a nice dish by Randy Carson and he's hacked by Sterling Hardnett - foul #1 on Sterling Hardnett, team foul #2 | 41-29 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Michael Thornton (SG), Fred Langlais (SF), James Lamothe (PF) William Watt, Sterling Hardnett, Wayne Stewart | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 16:25 | Ohio State | Jamie Gagner makes the free throw | 41-30 |
| 16:05 | Michigan State | Vern Stegall's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 41-30 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Terry Davidson (SG), Sterling Hardnett (SF) Michael Thornton, Fred Langlais | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a fastbreak offense and a 2-3 zone (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (0) | |
| 15:41 | Ohio State | Bradley Saltz hits the front of the rim on the pull-up jumper from the left side | 41-30 |
| 15:39 | Ohio State | Stuart Anderson tips it but misses | 41-30 |
| 15:37 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to James Lamothe | 41-30 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Vern Stegall (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 1 ast. 3 pf. SG - Terry Davidson (fresh) 8 pts. 3 ast. SF - Sterling Hardnett (fresh) 8 pts. 4 reb. PF - James Lamothe (fresh) 4 pts. 7 reb. C - Michael Hurwitz (fresh) 3 pts. 5 reb. 2 stl. | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Randy Carson (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 2 ast. SG - Jamie Gagner (fresh) 6 pts. 1 ast. SF - Bradley Saltz (fairly fresh) 6 pts. PF - Stuart Anderson (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 8 reb. C - Irvin Blandon (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. | |
| 15:29 | Michigan State | Michael Hurwitz connects on the jump hook in the paint set up by James Lamothe | 43-30 |
| 15:00 | Ohio State | Bradley Saltz is whistled for a charge - foul #1 on Bradley Saltz, team foul #4 | 43-30 |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Watt (SG), Fred Langlais (SF), Wayne Stewart (PF) Terry Davidson, Sterling Hardnett, James Lamothe | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Alan Barker (SG), Eugene Rice (C) Bradley Saltz, Stuart Anderson | |
| 14:48 | Michigan State | Vern Stegall misses short on a 3 from the right corner | 43-30 |
| 14:47 | Michigan State | Fred Langlais can't tip it in | 43-30 |
| 14:46 | Ohio State | Irvin Blandon snags the defensive board | 43-30 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a fastbreak offense and a 2-3 zone (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense and a man to man (0) | |
| 14:26 | Ohio State | Irvin Blandon clanks a runner from the baseline but the foul's on Vern Stegall - foul #4 on Vern Stegall, team foul #3 | 43-30 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Barry Jones (PG), Michael Thornton (SG), James Lamothe (PF) Vern Stegall, William Watt, Wayne Stewart | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 14:26 | Ohio State | Irvin Blandon makes the 1st free throw | 43-31 |
| 14:26 | Ohio State | Irvin Blandon makes the 2nd free throw | 43-32 |
| 14:09 | Michigan State | Randy Carson steps in front of the Michael Hurwitz pass | 43-32 |
| 14:05 | Ohio State | Alan Barker lays it up and in set up by Randy Carson | 43-34 |
| 14:00 | Michigan State | Michael Thornton misses long on a 3pt jumper from the left corner | 43-34 |
| 13:59 | Ohio State | Eugene Rice grabs the board | 43-34 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a fastbreak offense and a 2-3 zone (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (0) | |
| 13:37 | Ohio State | Randy Carson misses the pull-up jumper from the left wing | 43-34 |
| 13:36 | Michigan State | James Lamothe pulls down the rebound | 43-34 |
| 13:30 | Michigan State | Michael Thornton clanks a 3pt shot from the left wing | 43-34 |
| 13:29 | Michigan State | Fred Langlais misses the tip | 43-34 |
| 13:27 | Ohio State | The rebound goes to Randy Carson | 43-34 |
| 13:12 | Ohio State | Alan Barker comes up short on the pull-up jumper from the left wing | 43-34 |
| 13:11 | Michigan State | James Lamothe grabs the defensive rebound | 43-34 |
| 12:53 | Michigan State | Michael Thornton is hacked by Eugene Rice - foul #3 on Eugene Rice, team foul #5 | 43-34 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Vern Stegall (PG), Terry Davidson (SG), Sterling Hardnett (SF), John Hubbs (C) Barry Jones, Michael Thornton, Fred Langlais, Michael Hurwitz | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Byron Steele (SF), Stuart Anderson (PF), Bradley Saltz (C) Jamie Gagner, Irvin Blandon, Eugene Rice | |
| 12:37 | Michigan State | John Hubbs misses short on a jumpshot from the free throw line | 43-34 |
| 12:35 | Ohio State | The rebound goes to Randy Carson | 43-34 |
| 12:09 | Ohio State | Stuart Anderson scores on a fadeaway jumper from the right side on a nice dish by Randy Carson and he's fouled by James Lamothe - foul #2 on James Lamothe, team foul #4 | 43-36 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Fred Langlais (SF), Wayne Stewart (PF), Michael Hurwitz (C) Sterling Hardnett, James Lamothe, John Hubbs | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 12:09 | Ohio State | Stuart Anderson makes the free throw | 43-37 |
| 11:46 | Michigan State | Fred Langlais hits the front of the rim on the jumper from just outside the lane | 43-37 |
| 11:45 | Ohio State | Byron Steele pulls down the rebound | 43-37 |
| 11:20 | Ohio State | Randy Carson knocks in the shot from the left wing | 43-39 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Vern Stegall (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 1 ast. 4 pf. SG - Terry Davidson (fresh) 8 pts. 3 ast. SF - Fred Langlais (fresh) 5 pts. 4 reb. PF - Wayne Stewart (fresh) C - Michael Hurwitz (fresh) 5 pts. 5 reb. 2 stl. | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Randy Carson (fairly fresh) 11 pts. 4 ast. 2 stl. SG - Alan Barker (fairly fresh) 3 pts. SF - Byron Steele (fresh) 1 ast. 4 pf. PF - Stuart Anderson (fresh) 7 pts. 8 reb. C - Bradley Saltz (fresh) 6 pts. | |
| 10:59 | Michigan State | Stuart Anderson takes the ball from Terry Davidson | 43-39 |
| 10:31 | Ohio State | Stuart Anderson can't connect on a fadeaway in the lane but he's hacked by Wayne Stewart - foul #1 on Wayne Stewart, team foul #5 | 43-39 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Barry Jones (PG), William Watt (SG), Sterling Hardnett (SF), James Lamothe (PF), John Hubbs (C) Vern Stegall, Terry Davidson, Fred Langlais, Wayne Stewart, Michael Hurwitz | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Jamie Gagner (SG), Eugene Rice (C) Randy Carson, Alan Barker | |
| 10:31 | Ohio State | Stuart Anderson makes the 1st free throw | 43-40 |
| 10:31 | Ohio State | Stuart Anderson makes the 2nd free throw | 43-41 |
| 10:06 | Michigan State | John Hubbs hits the front of the rim on the wide open shot in the lane but the foul's on Eugene Rice - foul #4 on Eugene Rice, team foul #6 | 43-41 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Vern Stegall (PG) Barry Jones | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Irvin Blandon (PF) Stuart Anderson | |
| 10:06 | Michigan State | John Hubbs misses the 1st free throw | 43-41 |
| 10:06 | Michigan State | John Hubbs makes the 2nd free throw | 44-41 |
| 09:37 | Ohio State | Bradley Saltz knocks in the floater from close range and he's fouled by Vern Stegall - foul #5 on Vern Stegall, team foul #6 | 44-43 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Barry Jones (PG), Michael Hurwitz (C) Vern Stegall, John Hubbs | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Randy Carson (PG) Byron Steele | |
| 09:37 | Ohio State | Bradley Saltz misses the free throw | 44-43 |
| 09:37 | Michigan State | James Lamothe snags the defensive board | 44-43 |
| 09:21 | Michigan State | Michael Hurwitz throws a bad pass out of bounds | 44-43 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Terry Davidson (SG), Fred Langlais (SF) William Watt, Sterling Hardnett | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Byron Steele (SF) Bradley Saltz | |
| 09:05 | Ohio State | Jamie Gagner comes up short on the jumper from the right side but the foul's on Terry Davidson - foul #1 on Terry Davidson, team foul #7 | 44-43 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Sterling Hardnett (SF) Fred Langlais | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 09:05 | Ohio State | Jamie Gagner misses the 1st free throw | 44-43 |
| 09:05 | Ohio State | Jamie Gagner misses the 2nd free throw | 44-43 |
| 09:05 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to Michael Hurwitz | 44-43 |
| 08:50 | Michigan State | Barry Jones drills a 3pt jumper from the left corner | 47-43 |
| 08:33 | Ohio State | Irvin Blandon is hacked by James Lamothe - foul #3 on James Lamothe, team foul #8 | 47-43 |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Watt (SG), Fred Langlais (SF), John Hubbs (C) Terry Davidson, Sterling Hardnett, Michael Hurwitz | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 08:33 | Ohio State | Irvin Blandon misses the 1st free throw | 47-43 |
| 08:33 | Michigan State | John Hubbs snags the defensive board | 47-43 |
| 08:17 | Michigan State | James Lamothe hits the front of the rim on the shot from the left side | 47-43 |
| 08:15 | Ohio State | Eugene Rice grabs the defensive rebound | 47-43 |
| 07:59 | Ohio State | Randy Carson comes up short on the jumper from just outside the lane | 47-43 |
| 07:57 | Michigan State | John Hubbs snags the defensive board | 47-43 |
| 07:53 | Michigan State | John Hubbs scores on a jumper from the left wing on a nice dish by William Watt | 49-43 |
| 07:32 | Ohio State | Jamie Gagner scores on a floater from the right side on a great pass from Randy Carson | 49-45 |
| 07:16 | Michigan State | John Hubbs banks in the layup on a great pass from James Lamothe out of a doubleteam | 51-45 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Barry Jones (fresh) 5 pts. 2 ast. SG - William Watt (fresh) 3 ast. SF - Fred Langlais (fresh) 5 pts. 4 reb. PF - James Lamothe (fresh) 4 pts. 10 reb. 3 pf. C - John Hubbs (fresh) 7 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Randy Carson (fairly fresh) 11 pts. 5 ast. 2 stl. SG - Jamie Gagner (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 1 ast. SF - Byron Steele (fairly fresh) 1 ast. 4 pf. PF - Irvin Blandon (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 4 reb. C - Eugene Rice (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 5 reb. 4 pf. | |
| 06:47 | Ohio State | Jamie Gagner misses the pull-up jumper from the right side but the foul's on Fred Langlais - foul #2 on Fred Langlais, team foul #9 | 51-45 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Terry Davidson (SG), Sterling Hardnett (SF), Michael Hurwitz (C) William Watt, Fred Langlais, John Hubbs | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Alan Barker (SG), Bradley Saltz (SF), Stuart Anderson (PF) Randy Carson, Byron Steele, Irvin Blandon | |
| 06:47 | Ohio State | Jamie Gagner misses the 1st free throw | 51-45 |
| 06:47 | Ohio State | Jamie Gagner makes the 2nd free throw | 51-46 |
| 06:32 | Michigan State | Michael Hurwitz makes the driving attempt from close range | 53-46 |
| 06:03 | Ohio State | Bradley Saltz clanks a runner from close range | 53-46 |
| 06:01 | Ohio State | Stuart Anderson grabs the offensive rebound | 53-46 |
| 05:34 | Ohio State | James Lamothe is called for the reach on Alan Barker - foul #4 on James Lamothe, team foul #10 | 53-46 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Fred Langlais (SF) Sterling Hardnett | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Randy Carson (PG) Jamie Gagner | |
| 05:34 | Ohio State | Alan Barker makes the 1st free throw | 53-47 |
| 05:34 | Ohio State | Alan Barker makes the 2nd free throw | 53-48 |
| 05:20 | Michigan State | James Lamothe makes the fadeaway from the baseline on a nice dish by Barry Jones | 55-48 |
| 05:00 | Ohio State | Bradley Saltz hits a jumpshot from the left wing | 55-50 |
| 04:40 | Michigan State | Fred Langlais's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 55-50 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Sterling Hardnett (SF) Fred Langlais | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Byron Steele (SF), Irvin Blandon (C) Randy Carson, Eugene Rice | |
| 04:28 | Ohio State | Stuart Anderson loses the ball out of bounds | 55-50 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Wayne Stewart (PF) James Lamothe | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 04:09 | Michigan State | Alan Barker is called for the reach on Terry Davidson - foul #2 on Alan Barker, team foul #7 | 55-50 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Fred Langlais (SF), James Lamothe (PF) Sterling Hardnett, Wayne Stewart | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 04:09 | Michigan State | Terry Davidson makes the 1st free throw | 56-50 |
| 04:09 | Michigan State | Terry Davidson misses the 2nd free throw | 56-50 |
| 04:09 | Ohio State | Stuart Anderson gets the rebound | 56-50 |
| 03:40 | Ohio State | James Lamothe steals it from Stuart Anderson | 56-50 |
| 03:38 | Michigan State | Barry Jones is fouled in the backcourt by Bradley Saltz - foul #2 on Bradley Saltz, team foul #8 | 56-50 |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Watt (SG), Sterling Hardnett (SF) Terry Davidson, Fred Langlais | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Randy Carson (PG) Stuart Anderson | |
| 03:38 | Michigan State | Barry Jones makes the 1st free throw | 57-50 |
| 03:38 | Michigan State | Barry Jones makes the 2nd free throw | 58-50 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (0) | |
| 03:35 | Ohio State | Alan Barker is fouled in the backcourt by Sterling Hardnett - foul #2 on Sterling Hardnett, team foul #11 | 58-50 |
| 03:35 | Ohio State | Alan Barker makes the 1st free throw | 58-51 |
| 03:35 | Ohio State | Alan Barker makes the 2nd free throw | 58-52 |
| 03:21 | Michigan State | Sterling Hardnett hits a wide open shot in the lane on a nice dish by William Watt | 60-52 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense and a man to man (0) | |
| 03:19 | Ohio State | Alan Barker loses the ball out of bounds in the backcourt | 60-52 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Michael Thornton (SG), Fred Langlais (SF) William Watt, Sterling Hardnett | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Stuart Anderson (PF) Bradley Saltz | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a flex offense (slowdown) and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense and a man to man (0) | |
| 02:56 | Michigan State | Michael Thornton is called for traveling | 60-52 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Terry Davidson (SG), Sterling Hardnett (SF), Wayne Stewart (PF), John Hubbs (C) Michael Thornton, Fred Langlais, James Lamothe, Michael Hurwitz | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Jamie Gagner (SG), Eugene Rice (C) Alan Barker, Irvin Blandon | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Barry Jones (tiring) 7 pts. 3 ast. SG - Terry Davidson (fresh) 9 pts. 3 ast. SF - Sterling Hardnett (fresh) 10 pts. 4 reb. PF - Wayne Stewart (fresh) C - John Hubbs (fresh) 7 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Randy Carson (fairly fresh) 11 pts. 5 ast. 2 stl. SG - Jamie Gagner (fresh) 9 pts. 1 ast. SF - Byron Steele (fairly fresh) 1 ast. 4 pf. PF - Stuart Anderson (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 10 reb. C - Eugene Rice (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 5 reb. 4 pf. | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a flex offense (slowdown) and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a man to man (0) | |
| 02:38 | Ohio State | Randy Carson can't connect on a jumpshot from the right side but he's hacked by Barry Jones - foul #3 on Barry Jones, team foul #12 | 60-52 |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Watt (SG), Fred Langlais (SF), James Lamothe (PF), Michael Hurwitz (C) Terry Davidson, Sterling Hardnett, Wayne Stewart, John Hubbs | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 02:38 | Ohio State | Randy Carson makes the 1st free throw | 60-53 |
| 02:38 | Ohio State | Randy Carson makes the 2nd free throw | 60-54 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a man to man (0) | |
| 02:16 | Michigan State | William Watt can't connect on a 3pt jumper from the right corner | 60-54 |
| 02:14 | Ohio State | Eugene Rice gets the rebound | 60-54 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a fastbreak offense and a 2-3 zone (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a man to man (0) | |
| 02:01 | Ohio State | Stuart Anderson misses the lay-in but he's fouled by James Lamothe - foul #5 on James Lamothe, team foul #13 | 60-54 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Terry Davidson (SG), Sterling Hardnett (SF), Wayne Stewart (PF), John Hubbs (C) William Watt, Fred Langlais, James Lamothe, Michael Hurwitz | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Bradley Saltz (SF) Byron Steele | |
| 02:01 | Ohio State | Stuart Anderson makes the 1st free throw | 60-55 |
| 02:01 | Ohio State | Stuart Anderson makes the 2nd free throw | 60-56 |
| 01:41 | Michigan State | Sterling Hardnett misses long on a shot in the lane but he's hacked by Bradley Saltz - foul #3 on Bradley Saltz, team foul #9 | 60-56 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Michael Hurwitz (C) John Hubbs | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Alan Barker (SG), Byron Steele (SF) Jamie Gagner, Bradley Saltz | |
| 01:41 | Michigan State | Sterling Hardnett misses the 1st free throw | 60-56 |
| 01:41 | Michigan State | Sterling Hardnett makes the 2nd free throw | 61-56 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a fastbreak offense and a 2-3 zone (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (0) | |
| 01:20 | Ohio State | Randy Carson misses the floater from the right wing | 61-56 |
| 01:19 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to Michael Hurwitz | 61-56 |
| 01:16 | Michigan State | Michigan State calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 61-56 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Fred Langlais (SF) Sterling Hardnett | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 01:14 | Michigan State | Fred Langlais hits the front of the rim on the turnaround from the left block | 61-56 |
| 01:13 | Ohio State | Stuart Anderson pulls down the rebound | 61-56 |
| 01:09 | Ohio State | Stuart Anderson misses long on a runner from close range | 61-56 |
| 01:08 | Ohio State | Stuart Anderson tips it back up and in | 61-58 |
| 00:42 | Michigan State | Stuart Anderson picks off the pass by Barry Jones | 61-58 |
| 00:27 | Ohio State | Stuart Anderson misses long on a jumper from the right side | 61-58 |
| 00:26 | Ohio State | Stuart Anderson tips it back up and in | 61-60 |
| 00:26 | Michigan State | Michigan State calls a full timeout (2 :30 2 full remaining) | 61-60 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 2-3 zone (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and intentionally fouling (0) | |
| 00:24 | Michigan State | Alan Barker is called for the reach on Barry Jones in the backcourt - foul #3 on Alan Barker, team foul #10 | 61-60 |
| 00:24 | Michigan State | Barry Jones misses the 1st free throw | 61-60 |
| 00:24 | Michigan State | Barry Jones makes the 2nd free throw | 62-60 |
| 00:04 | Ohio State | Alan Barker scores on a shot from the right side on a great pass from Randy Carson | 62-62 |
| 00:04 | Michigan State | Michigan State calls a full timeout (2 :30 1 full remaining) | 62-62 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 2-3 zone (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (0) | |
| 00:00 | Michigan State | Fred Langlais clanks a halfcourt shot | 62-62 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Barry Jones (fresh) 8 pts. 3 ast. 3 pf. SG - Terry Davidson (fresh) 9 pts. 3 ast. SF - Fred Langlais (fresh) 5 pts. 4 reb. PF - Wayne Stewart (fresh) C - Michael Hurwitz (fresh) 7 pts. 7 reb. 2 stl. | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Randy Carson (fresh) 13 pts. 6 ast. 2 stl. SG - Alan Barker (fresh) 9 pts. 3 pf. SF - Byron Steele (fresh) 1 ast. 4 pf. PF - Stuart Anderson (fresh) 15 pts. 13 reb. 2 stl. C - Eugene Rice (fresh) 2 pts. 6 reb. 4 pf. | |
| 05:00 | Ohio State | Eugene Rice wins the tip | 62-62 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a fastbreak offense and a 2-3 zone (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (0) | |
| 04:41 | Ohio State | Randy Carson misses the dunk attempt | 62-62 |
| 04:40 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to Michael Hurwitz | 62-62 |
| 04:34 | Michigan State | Michael Hurwitz clanks a floater from the baseline but he's hacked by Eugene Rice - foul #5 on Eugene Rice, team foul #11 | 62-62 |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Watt (SG), Sterling Hardnett (SF), John Hubbs (C) Barry Jones, Terry Davidson, Fred Langlais | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Irvin Blandon (C) Eugene Rice | |
| 04:34 | Michigan State | Michael Hurwitz makes the 1st free throw | 63-62 |
| 04:34 | Michigan State | Michael Hurwitz misses the 2nd free throw | 63-62 |
| 04:34 | Ohio State | Byron Steele grabs the board | 63-62 |
| 04:14 | Ohio State | John Hubbs blocks the short jumper by Stuart Anderson | 63-62 |
| 04:12 | Michigan State | Sterling Hardnett pulls down the rebound | 63-62 |
| 04:04 | Michigan State | William Watt makes the 3pt attempt from straight away on a nice dish by Wayne Stewart | 66-62 |
| 03:36 | Ohio State | Randy Carson misses badly on a shot from the left side | 66-62 |
| 03:34 | Michigan State | Sterling Hardnett pulls down the rebound | 66-62 |
| 03:28 | Michigan State | Michael Hurwitz buries a jumper in the lane on a nice dish by William Watt | 68-62 |
| 03:02 | Ohio State | Randy Carson misses long on a shot from the free throw line but he's hacked by Wayne Stewart - foul #2 on Wayne Stewart, team foul #14 | 68-62 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Barry Jones (PG), Terry Davidson (SG), Fred Langlais (SF) Michael Hurwitz, William Watt, Sterling Hardnett | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 03:02 | Ohio State | Randy Carson misses the 1st free throw | 68-62 |
| 03:02 | Ohio State | Randy Carson makes the 2nd free throw | 68-63 |
| 03:00 | Michigan State | Michigan State calls a full timeout (2 :30 1 full remaining) | 68-63 |
| 02:50 | Michigan State | Terry Davidson scores on a shot from the free throw line and he's fouled by Alan Barker - foul #4 on Alan Barker, team foul #12 | 70-63 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Michael Hurwitz (C) John Hubbs | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 02:50 | Michigan State | Terry Davidson makes the free throw | 71-63 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a man to man (0) | |
| 02:37 | Ohio State | Irvin Blandon comes up short on the shot in the paint but the foul's on Michael Hurwitz - foul #2 on Michael Hurwitz, team foul #15 | 71-63 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Michael Thornton (SG), John Hubbs (C) Terry Davidson, Michael Hurwitz | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 02:37 | Ohio State | Irvin Blandon misses the 1st free throw | 71-63 |
| 02:37 | Ohio State | Irvin Blandon makes the 2nd free throw | 71-64 |
| 02:20 | Michigan State | Michael Thornton can't connect on a 3pt jumper from the left wing but the foul's on Irvin Blandon - foul #3 on Irvin Blandon, team foul #13 | 71-64 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Terry Davidson (SG), Michael Hurwitz (C) Barry Jones, John Hubbs | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 02:20 | Michigan State | Michael Thornton makes the 1st free throw | 72-64 |
| 02:20 | Michigan State | Michael Thornton makes the 2nd free throw | 73-64 |
| 02:20 | Michigan State | Michael Thornton makes the 3rd free throw | 74-64 |
| 02:03 | Ohio State | Randy Carson is alone and drills a fadeaway from the left block | 74-66 |
| 02:03 | Michigan State | Michigan State calls a full timeout (2 :30 remaining) | 74-66 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Barry Jones (PG), Sterling Hardnett (SF) Terry Davidson, Fred Langlais | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a flex offense (slowdown) and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a man to man (0) | |
| 01:41 | Michigan State | Michael Hurwitz misses the easy layup | 74-66 |
| 01:39 | Ohio State | Irvin Blandon snags the defensive board | 74-66 |
| 01:33 | Ohio State | Randy Carson can't throw it down but the foul's on Barry Jones - foul #4 on Barry Jones, team foul #16 | 74-66 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Terry Davidson (SG), Fred Langlais (SF) Michael Thornton, Sterling Hardnett | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 01:33 | Ohio State | Randy Carson makes the 1st free throw | 74-67 |
| 01:33 | Ohio State | Randy Carson makes the 2nd free throw | 74-68 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a man to man (0) | |
| 01:31 | Michigan State | Michigan State calls a :30 timeout (1 :30 remaining) | 74-68 |
| 01:20 | Michigan State | Terry Davidson misses long on a pull-up jumper from just outside the lane | 74-68 |
| 01:19 | Michigan State | Michael Hurwitz pulls down the offensive rebound | 74-68 |
| 00:55 | Michigan State | Byron Steele steals the ball from Wayne Stewart | 74-68 |
| 00:50 | Ohio State | Byron Steele lays it up and in | 74-70 |
| 00:50 | Michigan State | Michigan State calls a :30 timeout (none remaining) | 74-70 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Barry Jones (fresh) 8 pts. 3 ast. 4 pf. SG - Terry Davidson (fresh) 12 pts. 3 ast. SF - Fred Langlais (fresh) 5 pts. 4 reb. PF - Wayne Stewart (fresh) C - Michael Hurwitz (fresh) 10 pts. 9 reb. 2 stl. | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Randy Carson (fresh) 18 pts. 6 ast. 2 stl. SG - Alan Barker (fresh) 9 pts. 4 pf. SF - Byron Steele (fresh) 2 pts. 1 ast. 4 pf. PF - Stuart Anderson (fresh) 15 pts. 13 reb. 2 stl. C - Irvin Blandon (fresh) 5 pts. 5 reb. 3 pf. | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a man to man (0) | |
| 00:25 | Michigan State | Michael Hurwitz makes the jump hook from the left block set up by Terry Davidson | 76-70 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 2-3 zone (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a man to man (0) | |
| 00:20 | Ohio State | Alan Barker makes the 3pt jumper from straight away | 76-73 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 2-3 zone (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (0) | |
| 00:17 | Michigan State | Barry Jones is hacked by Randy Carson in the backcourt - foul #1 on Randy Carson, team foul #14 | 76-73 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Sterling Hardnett (SF) Fred Langlais | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 00:17 | Michigan State | Barry Jones misses the 1st free throw | 76-73 |
| 00:17 | Michigan State | Barry Jones makes the 2nd free throw | 77-73 |
| 00:09 | Ohio State | Alan Barker misses short on a 3pt jumper from the right wing | 77-73 |
| 00:07 | Michigan State | Sterling Hardnett pulls down the rebound | 77-73 |
| 00:05 | Michigan State | Sterling Hardnett is hacked by Alan Barker in the backcourt - foul #5 on Alan Barker, team foul #15 | 77-73 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Jamie Gagner (SG) Alan Barker | |
| 00:05 | Michigan State | Sterling Hardnett misses the 1st free throw | 77-73 |
| 00:05 | Michigan State | Sterling Hardnett makes the 2nd free throw | 78-73 |
| 00:02 | Ohio State | Ohio State calls a full timeout (2 :30 4 full remaining) | 78-73 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Fred Langlais (SF) Sterling Hardnett | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 00:00 | Ohio State | Irvin Blandon misses the 3 pointer from straight away | 78-73 |