| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Michael Jackson (fresh) 3 pts. 5 ast. 2 stl. SG - Adrian Lee (fresh) 8 pts. 1 ast. 3 pf. SF - Jim Waid (fresh) 4 pts. PF - Kenneth Glade (fresh) 6 pts. 3 reb. 2 blk. C - George Novetsky (fresh) 5 pts. 3 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Edward Thomas (fresh) 8 pts. 2 ast. 4 stl. SG - Harley Medley (fresh) 11 pts. 1 ast. SF - Milton Swanson (fresh) 2 reb. PF - Robert Savage (fresh) C - David Riley (fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Northwestern | Milton Swanson inbounds the ball | 50-37 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| 19:42 | Northwestern | Harley Medley misses long on an open 3pt jumper from the left wing | 50-37 |
| 19:40 | Northwestern | Milton Swanson hits the follow up shot | 50-39 |
| 19:19 | Michigan State | Adrian Lee drills a 3pt jumper from the right wing on a great pass from Michael Jackson | 53-39 |
| 18:57 | Northwestern | David Riley hits the front of the rim on the jump hook from the baseline | 53-39 |
| 18:56 | Michigan State | George Novetsky snags the defensive board | 53-39 |
| 18:52 | Michigan State | Jim Waid comes up short on the fadeaway from the right wing | 53-39 |
| 18:51 | Northwestern | Milton Swanson gets the rebound | 53-39 |
| 18:36 | Northwestern | David Riley misses the fadeaway from just outside the lane | 53-39 |
| 18:34 | Northwestern | Edward Thomas snags the offensive board | 53-39 |
| 18:25 | Northwestern | Milton Swanson can't connect on a 3 from the right corner | 53-39 |
| 18:23 | Michigan State | Adrian Lee gets the rebound | 53-39 |
| 18:17 | Michigan State | Kenneth Glade blows the wide open layup | 53-39 |
| 18:15 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to David Riley | 53-39 |
| 18:11 | Northwestern | Edward Thomas misses long on a floater from the left side but he's fouled by Michael Jackson - foul #1 on Michael Jackson, team foul #1 | 53-39 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Randall Backus (PG), Duane Bumpers (SF), Rusty Nicolas (PF), Robert Gilbert (C) Michael Jackson, Jim Waid, Kenneth Glade, George Novetsky | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Guillermo Guzman (SG), Robert Goodrich (SF), Alfred Barrett (PF), Herman Brewer (C) Harley Medley, Milton Swanson, Robert Savage, David Riley | |
| 18:11 | Northwestern | Edward Thomas makes the 1st free throw | 53-40 |
| 18:11 | Northwestern | Edward Thomas misses the 2nd free throw | 53-40 |
| 18:11 | Michigan State | Robert Gilbert grabs the defensive rebound | 53-40 |
| 17:57 | Michigan State | Robert Gilbert misses the easy layup | 53-40 |
| 17:55 | Michigan State | Duane Bumpers tips it in | 55-40 |
| 17:53 | Northwestern | Robert Goodrich loses the dribble to Adrian Lee in the backcourt | 55-40 |
| 17:39 | Michigan State | Rusty Nicolas connects on the open 3pt jumper from the right wing on a nice dish by Randall Backus | 58-40 |
| 17:19 | Northwestern | Edward Thomas makes the wide open fadeaway from the left wing on a great pass from Robert Goodrich | 58-42 |
| 17:15 | Michigan State | Rusty Nicolas travels in the backcourt | 58-42 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Vernon Preston (PG), Kevin Tatham (PF), George Novetsky (C) Duane Bumpers, Rusty Nicolas, Robert Gilbert | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Lawrence Ridley (SG), John Knight (PF) Edward Thomas, Herman Brewer | |
| 17:03 | Northwestern | Robert Goodrich misses the 3pt jumper from the left corner | 58-42 |
| 17:02 | Northwestern | Alfred Barrett grabs the offensive rebound | 58-42 |
| 16:47 | Northwestern | Lawrence Ridley lays it up and in set up by Guillermo Guzman and the foul's on Adrian Lee - foul #4 on Adrian Lee, team foul #2 | 58-44 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Robert Pillar (SG), Jim Waid (SF) Adrian Lee, Randall Backus | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Harley Medley (SG), Robert Savage (PF), David Riley (C) Robert Goodrich, Guillermo Guzman, Alfred Barrett | |
| 16:47 | Northwestern | Lawrence Ridley makes the free throw | 58-45 |
| 16:30 | Michigan State | Kevin Tatham drills a fadeaway from the left block set up by Jim Waid and he's hacked by David Riley - foul #3 on David Riley, team foul #1 | 60-45 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Michael Jackson (PG) Vernon Preston | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Robert Goodrich (PG), Milton Swanson (SF), Alfred Barrett (C) Lawrence Ridley, John Knight, David Riley | |
| 16:30 | Michigan State | Kevin Tatham makes the free throw | 61-45 |
| 16:07 | Northwestern | Milton Swanson hits the front of the rim on the fadeaway from the left side | 61-45 |
| 16:06 | Michigan State | George Novetsky grabs the board | 61-45 |
| 16:03 | Michigan State | Jim Waid is hacked by Robert Goodrich in the backcourt - foul #2 on Robert Goodrich, team foul #2 | 61-45 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Randall Backus (SG), Kenneth Glade (PF) Robert Pillar, Kevin Tatham | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Guillermo Guzman (SF) Milton Swanson | |
| 15:52 | Michigan State | George Novetsky hits the front of the rim on the jumper near the basket | 61-45 |
| 15:50 | Northwestern | Alfred Barrett grabs the board | 61-45 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Michael Jackson (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 6 ast. 2 stl. SG - Randall Backus (fresh) 4 pts. 3 ast. 2 stl. SF - Jim Waid (tiring) 4 pts. 1 ast. PF - Kenneth Glade (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 3 reb. 2 blk. C - George Novetsky (tiring) 5 pts. 5 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Robert Goodrich (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 3 ast. SG - Harley Medley (fairly fresh) 11 pts. 1 ast. SF - Guillermo Guzman (fairly fresh) 2 ast. PF - Robert Savage (tiring) C - Alfred Barrett (tiring) 8 pts. 4 reb. | |
| 15:42 | Northwestern | Guillermo Guzman's floater is tipped away by George Novetsky | 61-45 |
| 15:40 | Michigan State | Michael Jackson gets the rebound | 61-45 |
| 15:38 | Michigan State | Kenneth Glade is hacked by Guillermo Guzman in the backcourt - foul #3 on Guillermo Guzman, team foul #3 | 61-45 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Duane Bumpers (SF), Rusty Nicolas (PF), Robert Gilbert (C) Jim Waid, Kenneth Glade, George Novetsky | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Edward Thomas (PG), David Riley (C) Robert Goodrich, Alfred Barrett | |
| 15:13 | Michigan State | Rusty Nicolas misses the 3 pointer from the right corner | 61-45 |
| 15:11 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Harley Medley | 61-45 |
| 15:08 | Northwestern | Guillermo Guzman is fouled in the backcourt by Michael Jackson - foul #2 on Michael Jackson, team foul #3 | 61-45 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Vernon Preston (PG), Robert Pillar (SG), Jim Waid (SF), Kenneth Glade (C) Michael Jackson, Randall Backus, Duane Bumpers, Robert Gilbert | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Lawrence Ridley (PG), Milton Swanson (SF) Edward Thomas, Guillermo Guzman | |
| 14:53 | Northwestern | Robert Savage misses short on an open jump hook from the baseline | 61-45 |
| 14:52 | Michigan State | Robert Pillar gets the rebound | 61-45 |
| 14:44 | Michigan State | Vernon Preston can't connect on a jumpshot from the right wing but he's fouled by Lawrence Ridley - foul #2 on Lawrence Ridley, team foul #4 | 61-45 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Randall Backus (SG), George Novetsky (C) Robert Pillar, Rusty Nicolas | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Robert Goodrich (PG), Herman Brewer (C) Harley Medley, David Riley | |
| 14:44 | Michigan State | Vernon Preston makes the 1st free throw | 62-45 |
| 14:44 | Michigan State | Vernon Preston makes the 2nd free throw | 63-45 |
| 14:34 | Northwestern | Robert Savage hits the front of the rim on the fadeaway jumper from the right side | 63-45 |
| 14:33 | Michigan State | Vernon Preston grabs the board | 63-45 |
| 14:29 | Michigan State | Jim Waid connects on the open floater from the right wing on a nice dish by Randall Backus | 65-45 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense (uptempo) and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| 14:09 | Northwestern | Milton Swanson's pass is intercepted by Kenneth Glade | 65-45 |
| 13:54 | Michigan State | George Novetsky misses the wide open jumper from just outside the lane but he's hacked by Herman Brewer - foul #3 on Herman Brewer, team foul #5 | 65-45 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Michael Jackson (PG), Duane Bumpers (SF), Robert Gilbert (PF) Vernon Preston, Jim Waid, Kenneth Glade | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Edward Thomas (PG), Harley Medley (SG), Guillermo Guzman (SF), John Knight (PF), Alfred Barrett (C) Robert Goodrich, Lawrence Ridley, Milton Swanson, Robert Savage, Herman Brewer | |
| 13:54 | Michigan State | George Novetsky makes the 1st free throw | 66-45 |
| 13:54 | Michigan State | George Novetsky misses the 2nd free throw | 66-45 |
| 13:54 | Northwestern | Alfred Barrett snags the defensive board | 66-45 |
| 13:52 | Northwestern | Guillermo Guzman throws a bad pass out of bounds in the backcourt | 66-45 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Robert Pillar (SG) Randall Backus | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 13:41 | Michigan State | Duane Bumpers is hacked by Guillermo Guzman - foul #4 on Guillermo Guzman, team foul #6 | 66-45 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Rusty Nicolas (C) George Novetsky | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Robert Goodrich (SF) Guillermo Guzman | |
| 13:30 | Michigan State | Harley Medley steps in front of the Robert Pillar pass | 66-45 |
| 13:26 | Northwestern | Robert Pillar steps in front of the Alfred Barrett pass in the backcourt | 66-45 |
| 13:13 | Michigan State | Robert Pillar clanks a shot from the right wing | 66-45 |
| 13:12 | Michigan State | Robert Gilbert tips it in | 68-45 |
| 12:57 | Northwestern | Edward Thomas can't connect on a 3pt jumper from the right corner | 68-45 |
| 12:55 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to Robert Pillar | 68-45 |
| 12:51 | Michigan State | Michael Jackson is called for a moving pick in the backcourt - foul #3 on Michael Jackson, team foul #4 | 68-45 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Adrian Lee (SG), Randall Backus (SF), Kenneth Glade (PF), George Novetsky (C) Robert Pillar, Duane Bumpers, Robert Gilbert, Rusty Nicolas | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Milton Swanson (SF), Robert Savage (PF), David Riley (C) Robert Goodrich, John Knight, Alfred Barrett | |
| 12:41 | Northwestern | Edward Thomas's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 68-45 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Kevin Tatham (PF) George Novetsky | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 12:38 | Michigan State | Randall Backus is fouled in the backcourt by Harley Medley - foul #1 on Harley Medley, team foul #7 | 68-45 |
| 12:38 | Michigan State | Randall Backus makes the 1st free throw | 69-45 |
| 12:38 | Michigan State | Randall Backus makes the 2nd free throw | 70-45 |
| 12:27 | Northwestern | David Riley knocks in the jump hook from the left block on a nice dish by Edward Thomas | 70-47 |
| 12:11 | Michigan State | Randall Backus knocks in the 3 pointer from the left corner on a nice dish by Kenneth Glade | 73-47 |
| 12:11 | Northwestern | Northwestern calls a full timeout (2 :30 1 full remaining) | 73-47 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Vernon Preston (PG), George Novetsky (C) Michael Jackson, Kenneth Glade | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Lawrence Ridley (PG), Robert Goodrich (SF), Herman Brewer (C) Edward Thomas, Milton Swanson, David Riley | |
| 11:58 | Northwestern | Robert Goodrich is open and scores on a 3pt jumper from the left corner on a nice dish by Harley Medley | 73-50 |
| 11:53 | Michigan State | Adrian Lee misses long on a 3pt jumper from the left corner | 73-50 |
| 11:52 | Northwestern | Herman Brewer pulls down the rebound | 73-50 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Vernon Preston (fresh) 5 pts. SG - Adrian Lee (tiring) 11 pts. 1 ast. 4 pf. SF - Randall Backus (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 4 ast. 2 stl. PF - Kevin Tatham (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 4 reb. C - George Novetsky (tiring) 6 pts. 5 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Lawrence Ridley (fresh) 7 pts. SG - Harley Medley (tiring) 11 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SF - Robert Goodrich (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 3 ast. PF - Robert Savage (tired) C - Herman Brewer (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. 3 pf. | |
| 11:36 | Northwestern | Robert Savage loses the dribble to Kevin Tatham | 73-50 |
| 11:24 | Michigan State | Randall Backus is fouled on the floor by Lawrence Ridley - foul #3 on Lawrence Ridley, team foul #8 | 73-50 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Duane Bumpers (SF), Robert Gilbert (PF), Rusty Nicolas (C) Vernon Preston, Kevin Tatham, George Novetsky | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Edward Thomas (PG), Alfred Barrett (PF), David Riley (C) Lawrence Ridley, Robert Savage, Herman Brewer | |
| 11:24 | Michigan State | Randall Backus makes the 1st free throw | 74-50 |
| 11:24 | Michigan State | Randall Backus makes the 2nd free throw | 75-50 |
| 11:16 | Northwestern | David Riley hits a shot from the left wing on a great pass from Harley Medley | 75-52 |
| 11:12 | Michigan State | Robert Gilbert throws a bad pass out of bounds | 75-52 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Robert Pillar (PG) Randall Backus | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 11:10 | Northwestern | Robert Goodrich's pass is intercepted by Adrian Lee in the backcourt | 75-52 |
| 10:49 | Michigan State | Adrian Lee clanks a jumpshot from the free throw line | 75-52 |
| 10:47 | Michigan State | Robert Pillar gets the offensive rebound | 75-52 |
| 10:33 | Michigan State | Adrian Lee misses badly on the uncontested 3 from the left corner | 75-52 |
| 10:32 | Michigan State | Rusty Nicolas can't tip it in | 75-52 |
| 10:30 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Harley Medley | 75-52 |
| 10:24 | Northwestern | Harley Medley scores on a 3pt attempt from the right wing | 75-55 |
| 10:17 | Michigan State | Robert Gilbert misses the easy layup but he's fouled by Alfred Barrett - foul #3 on Alfred Barrett, team foul #9 | 75-55 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Vernon Preston (PG), Jim Waid (SF), Kenneth Glade (C) Robert Pillar, Duane Bumpers, Rusty Nicolas | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Lawrence Ridley (SG), Milton Swanson (SF), John Knight (PF), Herman Brewer (C) Edward Thomas, Harley Medley, Alfred Barrett, David Riley | |
| 10:17 | Michigan State | Robert Gilbert makes the 1st free throw | 76-55 |
| 10:17 | Michigan State | Robert Gilbert makes the 2nd free throw | 77-55 |
| 10:08 | Northwestern | Robert Goodrich is alone and drills a 3pt jumper from the right wing on a nice dish by John Knight | 77-58 |
| 10:06 | Michigan State | Vernon Preston is fouled in the backcourt by Milton Swanson - foul #1 on Milton Swanson, team foul #10 | 77-58 |
| Subs | Michigan State | George Novetsky (C) Robert Gilbert | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 10:06 | Michigan State | Vernon Preston makes the 1st free throw | 78-58 |
| 10:06 | Michigan State | Vernon Preston makes the 2nd free throw | 79-58 |
| 10:03 | Northwestern | Adrian Lee is called for the reach on Lawrence Ridley in the backcourt - foul #5 on Adrian Lee, team foul #5 | 79-58 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Randall Backus (SG) Adrian Lee | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 09:51 | Northwestern | Herman Brewer makes the shot from the right wing | 79-60 |
| 09:39 | Michigan State | Randall Backus connects on the 3pt shot from the right wing set up by Vernon Preston | 82-60 |
| 09:30 | Northwestern | Lawrence Ridley is denied on a layup by Kenneth Glade | 82-60 |
| 09:28 | Northwestern | Herman Brewer pulls down the offensive rebound | 82-60 |
| 09:12 | Northwestern | The jumper by Robert Goodrich is denied by George Novetsky | 82-60 |
| 09:10 | Michigan State | George Novetsky pulls down the rebound | 82-60 |
| 08:51 | Michigan State | Vernon Preston is hacked by Milton Swanson - foul #2 on Milton Swanson, team foul #11 | 82-60 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Michael Jackson (PG), Rusty Nicolas (PF) Jim Waid, George Novetsky | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Edward Thomas (PG), Harley Medley (SG), Robert Savage (PF), Alfred Barrett (C) Robert Goodrich, Lawrence Ridley, John Knight, Herman Brewer | |
| 08:51 | Michigan State | Vernon Preston makes the 1st free throw | 83-60 |
| 08:51 | Michigan State | Vernon Preston misses the 2nd free throw | 83-60 |
| 08:51 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Alfred Barrett | 83-60 |
| 08:40 | Northwestern | Vernon Preston picks off the pass by Milton Swanson | 83-60 |
| 08:37 | Michigan State | Michael Jackson lays it up and in on a great pass from Vernon Preston | 85-60 |
| 08:16 | Northwestern | Edward Thomas misses badly on a jumpshot from the left wing | 85-60 |
| 08:14 | Northwestern | Milton Swanson pulls down the offensive rebound | 85-60 |
| 08:00 | Northwestern | Randall Backus picks off the pass by Milton Swanson | 85-60 |
| 07:55 | Michigan State | Michael Jackson misses the lay-in | 85-60 |
| 07:54 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Alfred Barrett | 85-60 |
| 07:47 | Northwestern | Alfred Barrett misses badly on a 3pt attempt from the right wing | 85-60 |
| 07:46 | Michigan State | Michael Jackson gets the rebound | 85-60 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Michael Jackson (tiring) 5 pts. 6 ast. 2 stl. 3 pf. SG - Vernon Preston (tiring) 8 pts. 2 ast. SF - Randall Backus (tiring) 14 pts. 4 ast. 3 stl. PF - Rusty Nicolas (tiring) 6 pts. 6 reb. C - Kenneth Glade (tired) 6 pts. 3 reb. 3 blk. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Edward Thomas (tired) 11 pts. 3 ast. 4 stl. SG - Harley Medley (tired) 14 pts. 3 ast. 2 stl. SF - Milton Swanson (very tired) 2 pts. 5 reb. PF - Robert Savage (tired) C - Alfred Barrett (tired) 8 pts. 7 reb. 3 pf. | |
| 07:42 | Michigan State | Milton Swanson is called for the reach on Randall Backus in the backcourt - foul #3 on Milton Swanson, team foul #12 | 85-60 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Robert Pillar (SG), Duane Bumpers (SF), Kevin Tatham (PF), George Novetsky (C) Michael Jackson, Vernon Preston, Rusty Nicolas, Kenneth Glade | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Guillermo Guzman (SF), David Riley (C) Milton Swanson, Alfred Barrett | |
| 07:42 | Michigan State | Randall Backus makes the 1st free throw | 86-60 |
| 07:42 | Michigan State | Randall Backus makes the 2nd free throw | 87-60 |
| 07:22 | Northwestern | Guillermo Guzman misses badly on a shot from the left side | 87-60 |
| 07:20 | Michigan State | Robert Pillar gets the rebound | 87-60 |
| 07:16 | Michigan State | Randall Backus is hacked by Harley Medley in the backcourt - foul #2 on Harley Medley, team foul #13 | 87-60 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Robert Gilbert (PF) Kevin Tatham | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Robert Goodrich (PG), Lawrence Ridley (SG) Edward Thomas, Harley Medley | |
| 07:16 | Michigan State | Randall Backus makes the 1st free throw | 88-60 |
| 07:16 | Michigan State | Randall Backus makes the 2nd free throw | 89-60 |
| 06:57 | Northwestern | David Riley misses badly on a shot from the right side but the foul's on George Novetsky - foul #2 on George Novetsky, team foul #6 | 89-60 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Michael Jackson (PG), Jim Waid (SF) Robert Pillar, Duane Bumpers | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 06:57 | Northwestern | David Riley misses the 1st free throw | 89-60 |
| 06:57 | Northwestern | David Riley misses the 2nd free throw | 89-60 |
| 06:57 | Michigan State | George Novetsky grabs the board | 89-60 |
| 06:43 | Michigan State | Jim Waid is hacked by Guillermo Guzman - foul #5 on Guillermo Guzman, team foul #14 | 89-60 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Harley Medley (SG), John Knight (SF), Alfred Barrett (PF) Lawrence Ridley, Guillermo Guzman, Robert Savage | |
| 06:43 | Michigan State | Jim Waid makes the 1st free throw | 90-60 |
| 06:43 | Michigan State | Jim Waid makes the 2nd free throw | 91-60 |
| 06:41 | Northwestern | Robert Goodrich double dribbles in the backcourt | 91-60 |
| 06:36 | Michigan State | Jim Waid hits the front of the rim on the fadeaway from the free throw line but he's hacked by Alfred Barrett - foul #4 on Alfred Barrett, team foul #15 | 91-60 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Robert Pillar (SG), Rusty Nicolas (C) Randall Backus, George Novetsky | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 06:36 | Michigan State | Jim Waid makes the 1st free throw | 92-60 |
| 06:36 | Michigan State | Jim Waid makes the 2nd free throw | 93-60 |
| 06:34 | Northwestern | Robert Pillar steals the ball from Harley Medley in the backcourt | 93-60 |
| 06:32 | Michigan State | Robert Pillar lays it up and in | 95-60 |
| 06:25 | Northwestern | Harley Medley misses short on a 3 pointer from straight away | 95-60 |
| 06:24 | Michigan State | Michael Jackson grabs the defensive rebound | 95-60 |
| 06:18 | Michigan State | Robert Gilbert hits the finger roll on a nice dish by Robert Pillar | 97-60 |
| 06:02 | Northwestern | Jim Waid steps in front of the David Riley pass | 97-60 |
| 05:58 | Michigan State | Jim Waid slams it home | 99-60 |
| 05:54 | Northwestern | Robert Goodrich is hacked by Jim Waid in the backcourt - foul #3 on Jim Waid, team foul #7 | 99-60 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Randall Backus (SG), Duane Bumpers (SF), Kevin Tatham (PF), George Novetsky (C) Robert Pillar, Jim Waid, Robert Gilbert, Rusty Nicolas | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Lawrence Ridley (SG), Herman Brewer (C) Harley Medley, David Riley | |
| 05:54 | Northwestern | Robert Goodrich makes the 1st free throw | 99-61 |
| 05:54 | Northwestern | Robert Goodrich misses the 2nd free throw | 99-61 |
| 05:54 | Michigan State | George Novetsky pulls down the rebound | 99-61 |
| 05:48 | Michigan State | Randall Backus misses short on a 3pt jumper from the left wing | 99-61 |
| 05:47 | Michigan State | Duane Bumpers tips it but misses | 99-61 |
| 05:46 | Northwestern | Alfred Barrett grabs the board | 99-61 |
| 05:31 | Northwestern | Robert Goodrich is whistled for traveling | 99-61 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Kenneth Glade (PF) Kevin Tatham | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 05:22 | Michigan State | Duane Bumpers scores on a 3pt shot from the right corner on a great pass from Kenneth Glade | 102-61 |
| 05:16 | Northwestern | Lawrence Ridley is hacked by Michael Jackson - foul #4 on Michael Jackson, team foul #8 | 102-61 |
| 05:16 | Northwestern | Lawrence Ridley makes the 1st free throw | 102-62 |
| 05:16 | Northwestern | Lawrence Ridley misses the 2nd free throw | 102-62 |
| 05:16 | Michigan State | George Novetsky pulls down the rebound | 102-62 |
| 05:12 | Michigan State | Robert Goodrich is called for the reach on Michael Jackson in the backcourt - foul #3 on Robert Goodrich, team foul #16 | 102-62 |
| 05:12 | Michigan State | Michael Jackson misses the 1st free throw | 102-62 |
| 05:12 | Michigan State | Michael Jackson makes the 2nd free throw | 103-62 |
| 05:08 | Northwestern | Randall Backus steals the ball from John Knight in the backcourt | 103-62 |
| 04:50 | Michigan State | Duane Bumpers clanks a fadeaway jumper from the free throw line | 103-62 |
| 04:48 | Northwestern | Lawrence Ridley snags the defensive board | 103-62 |
| 04:43 | Northwestern | Lawrence Ridley hits the front of the rim on the shot near the basket | 103-62 |
| 04:41 | Michigan State | Michael Jackson gets the rebound | 103-62 |
| 04:33 | Michigan State | George Novetsky makes the fadeaway from just outside the lane set up by Randall Backus | 105-62 |
| 04:15 | Northwestern | Alfred Barrett comes up short on the floater from the left side but the foul's on Michael Jackson - foul #5 on Michael Jackson, team foul #9 | 105-62 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Vernon Preston (PG), Robert Pillar (SG), Jim Waid (SF), Kevin Tatham (PF), Rusty Nicolas (C) Michael Jackson, Randall Backus, Duane Bumpers, Kenneth Glade, George Novetsky | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 04:15 | Northwestern | Alfred Barrett makes the 1st free throw | 105-63 |
| 04:15 | Northwestern | Alfred Barrett makes the 2nd free throw | 105-64 |
| 03:59 | Michigan State | Kevin Tatham knocks in the runner from the baseline set up by Robert Pillar | 107-64 |
| 03:54 | Northwestern | Robert Goodrich misses short on a jumpshot from just outside the lane | 107-64 |
| 03:52 | Michigan State | Rusty Nicolas gets the rebound | 107-64 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense (uptempo) and a fullcourt press (-1) | |
| 03:47 | Michigan State | Vernon Preston makes the wide open fadeaway jumper from the right wing set up by Jim Waid | 109-64 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Vernon Preston (tiring) 10 pts. 2 ast. SG - Robert Pillar (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 3 ast. 3 stl. SF - Jim Waid (tired) 12 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. 3 pf. PF - Kevin Tatham (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 4 reb. C - Rusty Nicolas (tiring) 6 pts. 7 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Robert Goodrich (very tired) 9 pts. 3 ast. 3 pf. SG - Lawrence Ridley (tired) 8 pts. 3 pf. SF - John Knight (very tired) PF - Alfred Barrett (very tired) 10 pts. 8 reb. 4 pf. C - Herman Brewer (tired) 4 pts. 4 reb. 3 pf. | |
| 03:32 | Northwestern | Robert Goodrich throws a bad pass out of bounds | 109-64 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Robert Gilbert (PF) Kevin Tatham | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 03:29 | Michigan State | Vernon Preston is fouled in the backcourt by John Knight - foul #2 on John Knight, team foul #17 | 109-64 |
| 03:29 | Michigan State | Vernon Preston makes the 1st free throw | 110-64 |
| 03:29 | Michigan State | Vernon Preston makes the 2nd free throw | 111-64 |
| 03:27 | Northwestern | Robert Goodrich travels in the backcourt | 111-64 |
| 03:11 | Michigan State | Vernon Preston is open and scores on a fadeaway jumper from the free throw line set up by Rusty Nicolas | 113-64 |
| 03:06 | Northwestern | Robert Goodrich hits the front of the rim on the 3 pointer from straight away | 113-64 |
| 03:05 | Northwestern | The offensive rebound goes to Alfred Barrett | 113-64 |
| 02:57 | Northwestern | John Knight is hacked by Vernon Preston - foul #2 on Vernon Preston, team foul #10 | 113-64 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Randall Backus (PG), Duane Bumpers (SF), Kenneth Glade (C) Robert Pillar, Jim Waid, Rusty Nicolas | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 02:57 | Northwestern | John Knight makes the 1st free throw | 113-65 |
| 02:57 | Northwestern | John Knight makes the 2nd free throw | 113-66 |
| 02:55 | Michigan State | Robert Goodrich is called for the reach on Randall Backus in the backcourt - foul #4 on Robert Goodrich, team foul #18 | 113-66 |
| 02:55 | Michigan State | Randall Backus misses the 1st free throw | 113-66 |
| 02:55 | Michigan State | Randall Backus makes the 2nd free throw | 114-66 |
| 02:40 | Northwestern | Kenneth Glade blocks the short jumper by John Knight | 114-66 |
| 02:38 | Michigan State | Robert Gilbert grabs the defensive rebound | 114-66 |
| 02:15 | Michigan State | Robert Goodrich is called for the reach on Randall Backus - foul #5 on Robert Goodrich, team foul #19 | 114-66 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Robert Pillar (SG), George Novetsky (C) Vernon Preston, Kenneth Glade | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Edward Thomas (PG) Robert Goodrich | |
| 02:15 | Michigan State | Randall Backus makes the 1st free throw | 115-66 |
| 02:15 | Michigan State | Randall Backus misses the 2nd free throw | 115-66 |
| 02:15 | Northwestern | Alfred Barrett snags the defensive board | 115-66 |
| 02:02 | Northwestern | John Knight misses badly on a 3 pointer from the left wing | 115-66 |
| 02:01 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to Robert Pillar | 115-66 |
| 01:54 | Michigan State | Randall Backus misses badly on the uncontested 3pt jumper from the left wing | 115-66 |
| 01:53 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Lawrence Ridley | 115-66 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (+3) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense (uptempo) and a fullcourt press (-1) | |
| 01:50 | Northwestern | Alfred Barrett loses the dribble to Robert Pillar in the backcourt | 115-66 |
| 01:38 | Michigan State | Edward Thomas steals it from George Novetsky | 115-66 |
| 01:27 | Northwestern | The jumper by Alfred Barrett is denied by Robert Gilbert | 115-66 |
| 01:25 | Michigan State | Randall Backus pulls down the rebound | 115-66 |
| 01:21 | Michigan State | Randall Backus connects on the jumper from the right wing on a great pass from Robert Pillar | 117-66 |
| 01:01 | Northwestern | Lawrence Ridley clanks a shot from the free throw line | 117-66 |
| 00:59 | Michigan State | Robert Pillar snags the defensive board | 117-66 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (+3) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense (uptempo) and a fullcourt press (-1) | |
| 00:57 | Michigan State | Robert Pillar's pass is off the mark and out of bounds in the backcourt | 117-66 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Vernon Preston (SG), Jim Waid (SF), Kenneth Glade (PF) Robert Pillar, Duane Bumpers, Robert Gilbert | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Harley Medley (SG) Edward Thomas | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (+3) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a fullcourt press (-1) | |
| 00:55 | Northwestern | Harley Medley misses long on an open 3 pointer from straight away | 117-66 |
| 00:54 | Michigan State | Kenneth Glade pulls down the rebound | 117-66 |
| 00:29 | Michigan State | George Novetsky misses badly on a pull-up jumper from the free throw line | 117-66 |
| 00:28 | Michigan State | Randall Backus pulls down the offensive rebound | 117-66 |
| 00:00 | Michigan State | Randall Backus runs out the clock | 117-66 |