| Lineup | Illinois | PG - David Smith (fresh) 3 pts. 4 ast. SG - Sean Tobar (fresh) 7 pts. 1 ast. SF - Frank Steiner (fresh) 9 pts. 2 reb. PF - Timothy McDeavitt (fresh) 2 pts. C - Charles Banks (fresh) 9 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Michael Skinner (fresh) 1 ast. SG - Ian Ringer (fresh) 2 ast. SF - Don Roberts (fresh) 4 pts. PF - Maurice Mattson (fresh) C - Michael Davis (fresh) 14 pts. 4 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Ohio State | Don Roberts inbounds the ball | 32-22 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a flex offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-2) | |
| 19:41 | Ohio State | Maurice Mattson knocks in the 3pt attempt from straight away on a great pass from Ian Ringer | 32-25 |
| 19:12 | Illinois | Charles Banks is hacked by Michael Davis - foul #2 on Michael Davis, team foul #1 | 32-25 |
| 18:52 | Illinois | David Smith loses the dribble to Maurice Mattson | 32-25 |
| 18:23 | Ohio State | Timothy McDeavitt is called for the reach on Don Roberts - foul #2 on Timothy McDeavitt, team foul #1 | 32-25 |
| 18:08 | Ohio State | The jump hook by Michael Davis is blocked by Charles Banks | 32-25 |
| 18:06 | Illinois | David Smith gets the rebound | 32-25 |
| 17:44 | Illinois | Charles Banks misses long on a runner near the basket | 32-25 |
| 17:43 | Illinois | Frank Steiner grabs the offensive board | 32-25 |
| 17:17 | Illinois | Frank Steiner can't throw it down but the foul's on Maurice Mattson - foul #3 on Maurice Mattson, team foul #2 | 32-25 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Ohio State | James Scott (SF), Frederick West (PF) Don Roberts, Maurice Mattson | |
| 17:17 | Illinois | Frank Steiner makes the 1st free throw | 33-25 |
| 17:17 | Illinois | Frank Steiner misses the 2nd free throw | 33-25 |
| 17:17 | Ohio State | Frederick West pulls down the rebound | 33-25 |
| 16:49 | Ohio State | Frederick West connects on the 3pt shot from the right corner on a great pass from Michael Skinner | 33-28 |
| 16:29 | Illinois | Frank Steiner throws it down set up by Charles Banks | 35-28 |
| 16:10 | Ohio State | Ian Ringer connects on the shot from the free throw line set up by James Scott | 35-30 |
| 15:44 | Illinois | Frank Steiner can't connect on a jumpshot from the right side | 35-30 |
| 15:43 | Ohio State | Frederick West grabs the board | 35-30 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - David Smith (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 4 ast. SG - Sean Tobar (fresh) 7 pts. 1 ast. SF - Frank Steiner (fairly fresh) 12 pts. 3 reb. PF - Timothy McDeavitt (fairly fresh) 2 pts. C - Charles Banks (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Michael Skinner (fairly fresh) 2 ast. SG - Ian Ringer (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 3 ast. SF - James Scott (fresh) 2 pts. 2 ast. PF - Frederick West (fresh) 5 pts. 2 reb. C - Michael Davis (fairly fresh) 14 pts. 4 reb. | |
| 15:24 | Ohio State | Michael Davis steps out of bounds on the sideline | 35-30 |
| Subs | Illinois | Leon Eldredge (PG), Charles Pierce (SG), James Barnett (SF), Stanford Fay (C) David Smith, Sean Tobar, Frank Steiner, Charles Banks | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Don Roberts (SF), Maurice Mattson (PF) Michael Skinner, Michael Davis | |
| 14:59 | Illinois | Frederick West steals the ball from Charles Pierce | 35-30 |
| 14:46 | Ohio State | Ian Ringer hits a driving attempt in the paint set up by Maurice Mattson | 35-32 |
| 14:21 | Illinois | Leon Eldredge can't connect on a pull-up jumper from the left wing | 35-32 |
| 14:20 | Illinois | Timothy McDeavitt can't tip it in | 35-32 |
| 14:18 | Ohio State | Ian Ringer grabs the board | 35-32 |
| 14:00 | Ohio State | Don Roberts loses the dribble to Stanford Fay | 35-32 |
| 13:53 | Illinois | Leon Eldredge connects on the driving attempt from the right block set up by Timothy McDeavitt | 37-32 |
| 13:32 | Ohio State | Maurice Mattson knocks in the driving attempt from close range on a great pass from James Scott and he's hacked by Stanford Fay - foul #2 on Stanford Fay, team foul #2 | 37-34 |
| Subs | Illinois | David Smith (PG), Sean Tobar (SG), Frank Steiner (SF), Charles Banks (C) Charles Pierce, James Barnett, Timothy McDeavitt, Stanford Fay | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Michael Skinner (PG), Michael Davis (C) James Scott, Frederick West | |
| 13:32 | Ohio State | Maurice Mattson makes the free throw | 37-35 |
| 13:16 | Illinois | Sean Tobar misses badly on a fadeaway from the left side | 37-35 |
| 13:14 | Ohio State | Don Roberts grabs the board | 37-35 |
| 12:49 | Ohio State | Don Roberts banks in the layup on a great pass from Michael Skinner | 37-37 |
| 12:24 | Illinois | Frank Steiner makes the floater from the baseline on a great pass from Charles Banks | 39-37 |
| 11:55 | Ohio State | Maurice Mattson clanks a 3pt attempt from the left wing | 39-37 |
| 11:53 | Ohio State | Michael Skinner misses the tip | 39-37 |
| 11:52 | Illinois | Charles Banks grabs the board | 39-37 |
| 11:27 | Illinois | Maurice Mattson is called for the reach on Leon Eldredge - foul #4 on Maurice Mattson, team foul #3 | 39-37 |
| Subs | Illinois | Timothy McDeavitt (PF), Stanford Fay (C) Leon Eldredge, Charles Banks | |
| Subs | Ohio State | James Scott (SG), Frederick West (PF), Earl Truong (C) Ian Ringer, Maurice Mattson, Michael Davis | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - David Smith (fresh) 3 pts. 4 ast. SG - Sean Tobar (fresh) 7 pts. 1 ast. SF - Frank Steiner (fresh) 14 pts. 3 reb. PF - Timothy McDeavitt (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. C - Stanford Fay (fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Michael Skinner (fairly fresh) 3 ast. SG - James Scott (fresh) 2 pts. 3 ast. SF - Don Roberts (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 2 reb. PF - Frederick West (fresh) 5 pts. 2 reb. C - Earl Truong (fresh) 2 reb. | |
| 11:07 | Illinois | Frank Steiner can't connect on a driving attempt from the baseline | 39-37 |
| 11:05 | Ohio State | The rebound goes to Earl Truong | 39-37 |
| 10:39 | Ohio State | Frederick West misses short on a floater from the left wing | 39-37 |
| 10:37 | Illinois | Frank Steiner grabs the defensive rebound | 39-37 |
| 10:13 | Illinois | Sean Tobar misses badly on a jumper from just outside the lane but he's fouled by James Scott - foul #1 on James Scott, team foul #4 | 39-37 |
| Subs | Illinois | Leon Eldredge (PG), James Barnett (SF), Charles Banks (C) David Smith, Frank Steiner, Stanford Fay | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Ian Ringer (SG) Don Roberts | |
| 10:13 | Illinois | Sean Tobar makes the 1st free throw | 40-37 |
| 10:13 | Illinois | Sean Tobar makes the 2nd free throw | 41-37 |
| 09:55 | Ohio State | Michael Skinner drills a jumper from the left side | 41-39 |
| 09:38 | Illinois | Sean Tobar misses long on a jump hook in the paint | 41-39 |
| 09:36 | Illinois | The offensive rebound goes to Charles Banks | 41-39 |
| 09:20 | Illinois | Leon Eldredge blows the dunk but he's hacked by Earl Truong - foul #2 on Earl Truong, team foul #5 | 41-39 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Michael Davis (C) Frederick West | |
| 09:20 | Illinois | Leon Eldredge makes the 1st free throw | 42-39 |
| 09:20 | Illinois | Leon Eldredge misses the 2nd free throw | 42-39 |
| 09:20 | Ohio State | The rebound goes to Michael Davis | 42-39 |
| 09:01 | Ohio State | Earl Truong misses short on a pull-up jumper from the free throw line | 42-39 |
| 08:59 | Illinois | Charles Banks grabs the board | 42-39 |
| 08:30 | Illinois | Charles Banks scores on a jumper from close range | 44-39 |
| 08:10 | Ohio State | Earl Truong can't connect on a shot from the left side but the foul's on Timothy McDeavitt - foul #3 on Timothy McDeavitt, team foul #3 | 44-39 |
| Subs | Illinois | David Smith (PG), Frank Steiner (SF), Stanford Fay (PF) Leon Eldredge, Sean Tobar, Timothy McDeavitt | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Don Roberts (SF) James Scott | |
| 08:10 | Ohio State | Earl Truong misses the 1st free throw | 44-39 |
| 08:10 | Ohio State | Earl Truong misses the 2nd free throw | 44-39 |
| 08:10 | Illinois | Stanford Fay snags the defensive board | 44-39 |
| 07:49 | Illinois | David Smith can't connect on a fadeaway from the left side | 44-39 |
| 07:48 | Ohio State | Don Roberts snags the defensive board | 44-39 |
| 07:33 | Ohio State | Michael Davis's layup is rejected by Stanford Fay | 44-39 |
| 07:31 | Ohio State | Earl Truong pulls down the offensive rebound | 44-39 |
| 07:06 | Ohio State | Michael Davis can't connect on a turnaround from the baseline | 44-39 |
| 07:05 | Ohio State | Earl Truong snags the offensive board | 44-39 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - David Smith (fresh) 3 pts. 4 ast. SG - James Barnett (fresh) SF - Frank Steiner (fresh) 14 pts. 4 reb. PF - Stanford Fay (fresh) 2 pts. 5 reb. C - Charles Banks (fairly fresh) 11 pts. 7 reb. | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - Michael Skinner (tiring) 2 pts. 3 ast. SG - Ian Ringer (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 3 ast. SF - Don Roberts (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 3 reb. PF - Earl Truong (fairly fresh) 5 reb. C - Michael Davis (fresh) 14 pts. 5 reb. | |
| 06:45 | Ohio State | Don Roberts can't connect on a fadeaway jumper from just outside the lane | 44-39 |
| 06:44 | Illinois | The rebound goes to James Barnett | 44-39 |
| 06:38 | Illinois | Stanford Fay comes up short on the jumper in the paint but he's fouled by Michael Skinner - foul #2 on Michael Skinner, team foul #6 | 44-39 |
| Subs | Illinois | Sean Tobar (SG), Leon Eldredge (C) James Barnett, Charles Banks | |
| Subs | Ohio State | James Scott (PG), Frederick West (SF), Maurice Mattson (PF) Michael Skinner, Don Roberts, Earl Truong | |
| 06:38 | Illinois | Stanford Fay makes the 1st free throw | 45-39 |
| 06:38 | Illinois | Stanford Fay makes the 2nd free throw | 46-39 |
| 06:09 | Ohio State | Frederick West's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 46-39 |
| Subs | Illinois | Timothy McDeavitt (PF) Stanford Fay | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Don Roberts (SF) Michael Davis | |
| 05:44 | Illinois | Leon Eldredge is called for a moving pick - foul #2 on Leon Eldredge, team foul #4 | 46-39 |
| 05:22 | Ohio State | Don Roberts knocks in the fadeaway from the left block and the foul's on Sean Tobar - foul #3 on Sean Tobar, team foul #5 | 46-41 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Michael Skinner (PG) Ian Ringer | |
| 05:22 | Ohio State | Don Roberts makes the free throw | 46-42 |
| 04:53 | Illinois | Frank Steiner is fouled on the floor by Don Roberts - foul #2 on Don Roberts, team foul #7 | 46-42 |
| Subs | Illinois | Stanford Fay (C) David Smith | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Michael Davis (C) Don Roberts | |
| 04:53 | Illinois | Frank Steiner misses the 1st free throw | 46-42 |
| 04:53 | Ohio State | Michael Davis grabs the board | 46-42 |
| 04:26 | Ohio State | Sean Tobar takes the ball from Maurice Mattson | 46-42 |
| 03:58 | Illinois | Leon Eldredge banks in the layup | 48-42 |
| 03:35 | Ohio State | Michael Davis drills a jump hook near the basket set up by Michael Skinner | 48-44 |
| 03:15 | Illinois | Leon Eldredge can't throw it down | 48-44 |
| 03:14 | Ohio State | Frederick West snags the defensive board | 48-44 |
| 02:45 | Ohio State | Frank Steiner is called for the reach on Frederick West - foul #1 on Frank Steiner, team foul #6 | 48-44 |
| Subs | Illinois | David Smith (PG), James Barnett (SF), Charles Banks (C) Leon Eldredge, Frank Steiner, Timothy McDeavitt | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Ian Ringer (SG), Don Roberts (SF), Earl Truong (PF) Michael Skinner, Frederick West, Maurice Mattson | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - David Smith (fresh) 3 pts. 4 ast. SG - Sean Tobar (fresh) 9 pts. 1 ast. 3 pf. SF - James Barnett (fresh) PF - Stanford Fay (fresh) 4 pts. 5 reb. C - Charles Banks (fresh) 11 pts. 7 reb. | |
| Lineup | Ohio State | PG - James Scott (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 3 ast. SG - Ian Ringer (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 3 ast. SF - Don Roberts (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 3 reb. PF - Earl Truong (fresh) 5 reb. C - Michael Davis (fairly fresh) 16 pts. 6 reb. | |
| 02:22 | Ohio State | Ian Ringer clanks a pull-up jumper from the left side but he's fouled by James Barnett - foul #2 on James Barnett, team foul #7 | 48-44 |
| 02:22 | Ohio State | Ian Ringer makes the 1st free throw | 48-45 |
| 02:22 | Ohio State | Ian Ringer makes the 2nd free throw | 48-46 |
| 02:20 | Illinois | Illinois calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 48-46 |
| Subs | Illinois | Frank Steiner (SF), Leon Eldredge (PF) James Barnett, Stanford Fay | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Maurice Mattson (PF) Earl Truong | |
| 02:05 | Illinois | David Smith misses badly on a jumpshot from the left side | 48-46 |
| 02:03 | Ohio State | Maurice Mattson gets the rebound | 48-46 |
| 02:01 | Ohio State | David Smith steals it from James Scott in the backcourt | 48-46 |
| 02:00 | Illinois | David Smith misses the dunk | 48-46 |
| 01:58 | Illinois | Charles Banks tips it in | 50-46 |
| 01:45 | Ohio State | Maurice Mattson connects on the 3pt shot from straight away on a great pass from James Scott | 50-49 |
| 01:27 | Illinois | Frank Steiner is fouled on the floor by Don Roberts - foul #3 on Don Roberts, team foul #8 | 50-49 |
| Subs | Illinois | Timothy McDeavitt (PF) Leon Eldredge | |
| Subs | Ohio State | Michael Skinner (PG) James Scott | |
| 01:27 | Illinois | Frank Steiner makes the 1st free throw | 51-49 |
| 01:27 | Illinois | Frank Steiner makes the 2nd free throw | 52-49 |
| 01:02 | Ohio State | Ian Ringer throws a bad pass out of bounds | 52-49 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-2) | |
| 00:42 | Illinois | Charles Banks drills a jumpshot from the right side on a nice dish by Frank Steiner | 54-49 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+5) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a man to man (-2) | |
| 00:35 | Ohio State | Michael Davis clanks a driving attempt in the paint | 54-49 |
| 00:33 | Illinois | Sean Tobar snags the defensive board | 54-49 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+5) | |
| Game Plan | Ohio State | Ohio State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (-2) | |
| 00:31 | Illinois | Sean Tobar is fouled in the backcourt by Michael Skinner - foul #3 on Michael Skinner, team foul #9 | 54-49 |
| Subs | Illinois | Leon Eldredge (PF) Timothy McDeavitt | |
| Subs | Ohio State | | |
| 00:31 | Illinois | Sean Tobar misses the 1st free throw | 54-49 |
| 00:31 | Ohio State | Michael Davis pulls down the rebound | 54-49 |
| 00:25 | Ohio State | Maurice Mattson misses badly on a 3 pointer from straight away | 54-49 |
| 00:24 | Ohio State | Don Roberts grabs the offensive rebound | 54-49 |
| 00:21 | Ohio State | Sean Tobar steps in front of the Ian Ringer pass | 54-49 |
| 00:18 | Illinois | David Smith can't finish the layup | 54-49 |
| 00:17 | Ohio State | Don Roberts gets the rebound | 54-49 |
| 00:12 | Ohio State | Don Roberts's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 54-49 |
| 00:09 | Illinois | Sean Tobar is fouled in the backcourt by Michael Skinner - foul #4 on Michael Skinner, team foul #10 | 54-49 |
| 00:09 | Illinois | Sean Tobar makes the 1st free throw | 55-49 |
| 00:09 | Illinois | Sean Tobar makes the 2nd free throw | 56-49 |
| 00:04 | Ohio State | Ian Ringer drills a 3 pointer from straight away on a great pass from Michael Davis | 56-52 |
| 00:03 | Illinois | Frank Steiner is fouled in the backcourt by Michael Skinner - foul #5 on Michael Skinner, team foul #11 | 56-52 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Ohio State | James Scott (PG) Michael Skinner | |
| 00:03 | Illinois | Frank Steiner misses the 1st free throw | 56-52 |
| 00:03 | Illinois | Frank Steiner makes the 2nd free throw | 57-52 |
| 00:00 | Ohio State | Don Roberts connects on the halfcourt shot | 57-55 |