| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Derrick Shook (fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. SG - James James (fresh) 8 pts. 1 ast. SF - Michael Bollin (fresh) 2 pts. PF - Ross Hamm (fresh) C - Orlando Joiner (fresh) 13 pts. 5 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - James Taylor (fresh) 8 pts. 5 ast. SG - William Allen (fresh) 2 pts. SF - Robert Lust (fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. PF - Michael Housel (fresh) 8 pts. 4 reb. C - Joseph White (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Michigan State | Michael Bollin inbounds the ball | 33-31 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a flex offense and a halfcourt press/3-2 zone (-3) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| 19:41 | Michigan State | Orlando Joiner can't connect on a fadeaway from the left block | 33-31 |
| 19:40 | Northwestern | William Allen grabs the board | 33-31 |
| 19:21 | Northwestern | James Taylor is called for traveling | 33-31 |
| 19:09 | Michigan State | Michael Bollin's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 33-31 |
| 18:42 | Northwestern | Joseph White misses short on a floater from the right side | 33-31 |
| 18:40 | Michigan State | Orlando Joiner grabs the board | 33-31 |
| 18:17 | Michigan State | Michael Housel is called for the reach on Derrick Shook - foul #3 on Michael Housel, team foul #1 | 33-31 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | William Hensley (PF) Michael Housel | |
| 18:08 | Michigan State | William Hensley is called for the reach on Michael Bollin - foul #1 on William Hensley, team foul #2 | 33-31 |
| 17:46 | Michigan State | Derrick Shook scores on a jumper from the right wing on a nice dish by James James | 35-31 |
| 17:25 | Northwestern | William Allen can't connect on a pull-up jumper from just outside the lane | 35-31 |
| 17:24 | Michigan State | Michael Bollin grabs the defensive rebound | 35-31 |
| 17:08 | Michigan State | Orlando Joiner lays it in | 37-31 |
| 16:39 | Northwestern | Robert Lust misses long on a jumper from close range but he's hacked by Ross Hamm - foul #3 on Ross Hamm, team foul #1 | 37-31 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Timothy Dittmer (PF) Ross Hamm | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 16:39 | Northwestern | Robert Lust makes the 1st free throw | 37-32 |
| 16:39 | Northwestern | Robert Lust misses the 2nd free throw | 37-32 |
| 16:39 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to Orlando Joiner | 37-32 |
| 16:17 | Michigan State | Timothy Dittmer misses long on a fadeaway jumper from the left side | 37-32 |
| 16:16 | Michigan State | Michael Bollin grabs the offensive board | 37-32 |
| 16:02 | Michigan State | Joseph White takes the ball from Orlando Joiner | 37-32 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Derrick Shook (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 1 ast. SG - James James (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 2 ast. SF - Michael Bollin (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. PF - Timothy Dittmer (fresh) 2 pts. C - Orlando Joiner (fairly fresh) 15 pts. 7 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - James Taylor (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 5 ast. SG - William Allen (fairly fresh) 2 pts. SF - Robert Lust (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 2 reb. PF - William Hensley (fresh) 2 pts. C - Joseph White (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. | |
| 15:37 | Northwestern | William Hensley comes up short on the floater from the right block but he's hacked by Timothy Dittmer - foul #2 on Timothy Dittmer, team foul #2 | 37-32 |
| 15:37 | Northwestern | William Hensley makes the 1st free throw | 37-33 |
| 15:37 | Northwestern | William Hensley makes the 2nd free throw | 37-34 |
| 15:21 | Michigan State | Derrick Shook misses long on a floater from just outside the lane but he's fouled by William Hensley - foul #2 on William Hensley, team foul #3 | 37-34 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Michael Housel (PF) William Hensley | |
| 15:21 | Michigan State | Derrick Shook makes the 1st free throw | 38-34 |
| 15:21 | Michigan State | Derrick Shook makes the 2nd free throw | 39-34 |
| 15:03 | Northwestern | Michael Housel misses badly on a floater from the right wing | 39-34 |
| 15:02 | Michigan State | Orlando Joiner grabs the defensive rebound | 39-34 |
| 14:58 | Michigan State | Michael Bollin drills a shot from the right side on a great pass from Orlando Joiner | 41-34 |
| 14:35 | Northwestern | Michael Housel hits the finger roll set up by James Taylor | 41-36 |
| 14:17 | Michigan State | Michael Bollin misses badly on a 3pt shot from the right corner | 41-36 |
| 14:15 | Northwestern | James Taylor snags the defensive board | 41-36 |
| 13:50 | Northwestern | Joseph White hits the front of the rim on the pull-up jumper from just outside the lane | 41-36 |
| 13:48 | Northwestern | Michael Housel tips it in | 41-38 |
| 13:29 | Michigan State | Orlando Joiner misses short on a jumper in the lane | 41-38 |
| 13:28 | Northwestern | Michael Housel gets the rebound | 41-38 |
| 12:59 | Northwestern | Robert Lust can't connect on a runner from close range | 41-38 |
| 12:58 | Michigan State | Timothy Dittmer grabs the board | 41-38 |
| 12:45 | Michigan State | James James makes the 3 from the right wing on a great pass from Derrick Shook | 44-38 |
| 12:24 | Northwestern | Michael Housel misses short on a fadeaway jumper from the right side but he's fouled by Timothy Dittmer - foul #3 on Timothy Dittmer, team foul #3 | 44-38 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Martin Anderson (PG), Jason Valentine (SG), Robin Franklin (SF), Ross Hamm (PF) Derrick Shook, James James, Michael Bollin, Timothy Dittmer | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Michael Bell (SF), William Hensley (C) Robert Lust, Joseph White | |
| 12:24 | Northwestern | Michael Housel misses the 1st free throw | 44-38 |
| 12:24 | Northwestern | Michael Housel makes the 2nd free throw | 44-39 |
| 12:22 | Michigan State | Martin Anderson throws a bad pass out of bounds in the backcourt | 44-39 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Clarence Gay (SG) William Allen | |
| 12:07 | Northwestern | James Taylor hits the front of the rim on the wide open 3pt attempt from the right corner | 44-39 |
| 12:05 | Michigan State | Robin Franklin pulls down the rebound | 44-39 |
| 11:45 | Michigan State | Orlando Joiner misses long on a fadeaway from the right side | 44-39 |
| 11:43 | Northwestern | Clarence Gay grabs the board | 44-39 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Martin Anderson (fresh) 3 pts. 3 ast. SG - Jason Valentine (fresh) SF - Robin Franklin (fresh) 2 pts. PF - Ross Hamm (fresh) 3 pf. C - Orlando Joiner (tiring) 15 pts. 8 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - James Taylor (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 6 ast. SG - Clarence Gay (fresh) SF - Michael Bell (fresh) 3 pts. 2 ast. PF - Michael Housel (fresh) 13 pts. 6 reb. 3 pf. C - William Hensley (fresh) 4 pts. | |
| 11:16 | Northwestern | James Taylor is hacked by Ross Hamm - foul #4 on Ross Hamm, team foul #4 | 44-39 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Derrick Shook (PG), Thomas Lancaster (PF), Michael Bollin (C) Jason Valentine, Ross Hamm, Orlando Joiner | |
| Subs | Northwestern | William Allen (SG), Robert Lust (SF) Clarence Gay, Michael Bell | |
| 10:54 | Northwestern | Michael Housel knocks in the jumper from the left block on a great pass from James Taylor | 44-41 |
| 10:43 | Michigan State | Derrick Shook hits a 3pt jumper from straight away on a great pass from Robin Franklin | 47-41 |
| 10:20 | Northwestern | William Allen hits the front of the rim on the jumper from the left side | 47-41 |
| 10:19 | Michigan State | Derrick Shook gets the rebound | 47-41 |
| 09:58 | Michigan State | Derrick Shook hits the front of the rim on the 3 pointer from the left wing | 47-41 |
| 09:56 | Michigan State | Derrick Shook pulls down the offensive rebound | 47-41 |
| 09:43 | Michigan State | Derrick Shook can't connect on a fadeaway jumper from the left wing | 47-41 |
| 09:41 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Robert Lust | 47-41 |
| 09:18 | Northwestern | James Taylor misses badly on a fadeaway jumper from the right wing | 47-41 |
| 09:16 | Northwestern | William Hensley tips it home | 47-43 |
| 09:04 | Michigan State | Robin Franklin lays it up and in | 49-43 |
| 08:42 | Northwestern | James Taylor hits the front of the rim on the 3 from straight away | 49-43 |
| 08:41 | Michigan State | Robin Franklin grabs the board | 49-43 |
| 08:27 | Michigan State | Derrick Shook misses short on a 3 from the left corner | 49-43 |
| 08:25 | Northwestern | William Hensley gets the rebound | 49-43 |
| 08:02 | Northwestern | Robert Lust knocks in the jumpshot from the left side | 49-45 |
| 07:45 | Michigan State | Derrick Shook hits the front of the rim on the shot from close range but the foul's on William Allen - foul #3 on William Allen, team foul #4 | 49-45 |
| Subs | Michigan State | James James (SG), Ross Hamm (PF), Orlando Joiner (C) Robin Franklin, Thomas Lancaster, Michael Bollin | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Michael Bell (PG), Clarence Gay (SG), Joseph White (C) James Taylor, William Allen, Robert Lust | |
| 07:45 | Michigan State | Derrick Shook makes the 1st free throw | 50-45 |
| 07:45 | Michigan State | Derrick Shook misses the 2nd free throw | 50-45 |
| 07:45 | Northwestern | William Hensley snags the defensive board | 50-45 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Derrick Shook (tiring) 11 pts. 2 ast. SG - James James (fresh) 11 pts. 2 ast. SF - Martin Anderson (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 3 ast. PF - Ross Hamm (fresh) 4 pf. C - Orlando Joiner (fresh) 15 pts. 8 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Michael Bell (fresh) 3 pts. 2 ast. SG - Clarence Gay (fresh) SF - William Hensley (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 3 reb. PF - Michael Housel (fairly fresh) 15 pts. 6 reb. 3 pf. C - Joseph White (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. | |
| 07:30 | Northwestern | Ross Hamm steps in front of the Joseph White pass | 50-45 |
| 07:21 | Michigan State | Orlando Joiner comes up short on the shot in the paint | 50-45 |
| 07:20 | Northwestern | Michael Bell grabs the defensive rebound | 50-45 |
| 07:01 | Northwestern | Michael Housel clanks a shot in the lane | 50-45 |
| 06:59 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to Derrick Shook | 50-45 |
| 06:34 | Michigan State | Martin Anderson misses the jumpshot from the right wing but he's fouled by Joseph White - foul #1 on Joseph White, team foul #5 | 50-45 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Thomas Lancaster (SF) Derrick Shook | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Woodrow Carlson (PG) Michael Housel | |
| 06:34 | Michigan State | Martin Anderson misses the 1st free throw | 50-45 |
| 06:34 | Michigan State | Martin Anderson misses the 2nd free throw | 50-45 |
| 06:34 | Northwestern | William Hensley gets the rebound | 50-45 |
| 06:16 | Northwestern | Woodrow Carlson hits the front of the rim on the 3pt attempt from the left wing | 50-45 |
| 06:14 | Northwestern | William Hensley hits the follow up shot | 50-47 |
| 06:03 | Michigan State | James James can't connect on a 3pt jumper from the right corner | 50-47 |
| 06:01 | Michigan State | Ross Hamm tips it home | 52-47 |
| 05:37 | Northwestern | William Hensley hits the front of the rim on the fadeaway from the free throw line | 52-47 |
| 05:36 | Michigan State | Orlando Joiner grabs the board | 52-47 |
| 05:19 | Michigan State | James James hits a 3pt jumper from the left wing on a nice dish by Orlando Joiner | 55-47 |
| 04:56 | Northwestern | Joseph White misses the floater in the lane but he's fouled by Ross Hamm - foul #5 on Ross Hamm, team foul #5 | 55-47 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Mark Britton (PG), Michael Bollin (SF), Timothy Dittmer (PF) Martin Anderson, Thomas Lancaster, Ross Hamm | |
| Subs | Northwestern | James Taylor (PG), William Allen (SG), Robert Lust (SF), Michael Housel (PF) Woodrow Carlson, Clarence Gay, Michael Bell, William Hensley | |
| 04:56 | Northwestern | Joseph White misses the 1st free throw | 55-47 |
| 04:56 | Northwestern | Joseph White makes the 2nd free throw | 55-48 |
| 04:34 | Michigan State | Michael Bollin's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 55-48 |
| 04:09 | Northwestern | James Taylor comes up short on the shot from the free throw line | 55-48 |
| 04:08 | Michigan State | James James snags the defensive board | 55-48 |
| 03:59 | Michigan State | James Taylor steals the ball from James James | 55-48 |
| 03:42 | Northwestern | James Taylor is called for the illegal screen - foul #1 on James Taylor, team foul #6 | 55-48 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Derrick Shook (PG) Mark Britton | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Derrick Shook (fairly fresh) 11 pts. 2 ast. SG - James James (fairly fresh) 14 pts. 2 ast. SF - Michael Bollin (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 3 reb. PF - Timothy Dittmer (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. 3 pf. C - Orlando Joiner (fairly fresh) 15 pts. 9 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - James Taylor (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 7 ast. SG - William Allen (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 3 pf. SF - Robert Lust (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 3 reb. PF - Michael Housel (fairly fresh) 15 pts. 6 reb. 3 pf. C - Joseph White (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 3 reb. | |
| 03:29 | Michigan State | Orlando Joiner misses the floater from just outside the lane | 55-48 |
| 03:27 | Northwestern | Joseph White snags the defensive board | 55-48 |
| 03:21 | Northwestern | William Allen drills a fadeaway jumper from the right wing set up by Michael Housel and the foul's on Orlando Joiner - foul #2 on Orlando Joiner, team foul #6 | 55-50 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Robin Franklin (SF) Orlando Joiner | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 03:21 | Northwestern | William Allen makes the free throw | 55-51 |
| 02:59 | Michigan State | Timothy Dittmer misses the easy layup but the foul's on Michael Housel - foul #4 on Michael Housel, team foul #7 | 55-51 |
| 02:59 | Michigan State | Timothy Dittmer makes the 1st free throw | 56-51 |
| 02:59 | Michigan State | Timothy Dittmer makes the 2nd free throw | 57-51 |
| 02:48 | Northwestern | James Taylor misses badly on a 3pt attempt from the right corner | 57-51 |
| 02:47 | Northwestern | Joseph White tips it home | 57-53 |
| 02:47 | Michigan State | Michigan State calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 57-53 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Orlando Joiner (C) Robin Franklin | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 02:38 | Michigan State | Derrick Shook can't connect on a jumpshot from the right side | 57-53 |
| 02:37 | Michigan State | Orlando Joiner tips it but misses | 57-53 |
| 02:35 | Michigan State | Timothy Dittmer grabs the offensive board | 57-53 |
| 02:19 | Michigan State | James James's pass is intercepted by William Allen | 57-53 |
| 01:59 | Northwestern | Michael Housel misses short on a driving attempt from the left block but he's fouled by Orlando Joiner - foul #3 on Orlando Joiner, team foul #7 | 57-53 |
| 01:59 | Northwestern | Michael Housel makes the 1st free throw | 57-54 |
| 01:59 | Northwestern | Michael Housel misses the 2nd free throw | 57-54 |
| 01:59 | Michigan State | James James grabs the defensive rebound | 57-54 |
| 01:45 | Michigan State | Orlando Joiner misses short on a jump hook from the baseline | 57-54 |
| 01:44 | Michigan State | Michael Bollin hits the follow up shot | 59-54 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a flex offense and a 3-2 zone (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| 01:22 | Northwestern | James Taylor misses short on a 3pt shot from straight away | 59-54 |
| 01:21 | Michigan State | Timothy Dittmer gets the rebound | 59-54 |
| 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 (slowdown) and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| 01:02 | Michigan State | Michael Housel steals it from Orlando Joiner | 59-54 |
| 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 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| 00:50 | Northwestern | Michael Housel comes up short on the jumper from the free throw line | 59-54 |
| 00:49 | Michigan State | James James gets the rebound | 59-54 |
| 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 motion offense (uptempo) and a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| 00:27 | Michigan State | James James clanks a pull-up jumper from just outside the lane but he's fouled by James Taylor - foul #2 on James Taylor, team foul #8 | 59-54 |
| 00:27 | Michigan State | James James makes the 1st free throw | 60-54 |
| 00:27 | Michigan State | James James makes the 2nd free throw | 61-54 |
| 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 a 2-3 zone (+2) | |
| 00:22 | Northwestern | James Taylor misses the 3 from straight away | 61-54 |
| 00:21 | Northwestern | Michael Housel grabs the offensive board | 61-54 |
| 00:18 | Northwestern | James Taylor comes up short on the 3pt jumper from the left corner | 61-54 |
| 00:16 | Northwestern | The offensive rebound goes to Michael Housel | 61-54 |
| 00:12 | Northwestern | James Taylor buries a 3 pointer from the right wing set up by William Allen | 61-57 |
| 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 (+2) | |
| 00:11 | Michigan State | James James is fouled in the backcourt by James Taylor - foul #3 on James Taylor, team foul #9 | 61-57 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Robin Franklin (SF) Michael Bollin | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 00:11 | Michigan State | James James makes the 1st free throw | 62-57 |
| 00:11 | Michigan State | James James misses the 2nd free throw | 62-57 |
| 00:11 | Michigan State | Orlando Joiner grabs the offensive board | 62-57 |
| 00:11 | Michigan State | Michigan State calls a full timeout (2 :30 2 full remaining) | 62-57 |
| 00:08 | Michigan State | Orlando Joiner is hacked by James Taylor - foul #4 on James Taylor, team foul #10 | 62-57 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Martin Anderson (SF), Thomas Lancaster (PF) Robin Franklin, Timothy Dittmer | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 00:08 | Michigan State | Orlando Joiner misses the 1st free throw | 62-57 |
| 00:08 | Michigan State | Orlando Joiner makes the 2nd free throw | 63-57 |
| 00:01 | Northwestern | James Taylor can't connect on a 3pt jumper from the left wing | 63-57 |
| 00:00 | Michigan State | Orlando Joiner grabs the board | 63-57 |