| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Charles Stokes (fresh) 2 ast. SG - James Nelson (fresh) 3 pts. 3 ast. SF - William Webster (fresh) 14 pts. PF - George Taylor (fresh) 14 pts. 3 reb. C - Michael Meier (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Lewis Avery (fresh) 3 pts. 3 ast. SG - Larry Murray (fresh) 6 pts. SF - Jonathan Pannell (fresh) PF - Anthony Westhoff (fresh) 6 pts. 3 reb. C - Jason Desilets (fresh) 4 pts. | |
| 20:00 | Northwestern | Jonathan Pannell inbounds the ball | 39-29 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a triangle offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a flex offense (slowdown) and a 2-3 zone (-2) | |
| 19:31 | Northwestern | Lewis Avery knocks in the shot from the free throw line | 39-31 |
| 19:11 | Michigan State | Jonathan Pannell picks off the pass by Michael Meier | 39-31 |
| 18:50 | Northwestern | Larry Murray scores on a pull-up jumper from the right side set up by Lewis Avery | 39-33 |
| 18:36 | Michigan State | George Taylor comes up short on the 3 pointer from the right wing | 39-33 |
| 18:35 | Michigan State | George Taylor grabs the offensive board | 39-33 |
| 18:19 | Michigan State | James Nelson makes the 3 pointer from the left wing on a great pass from William Webster | 42-33 |
| 17:50 | Northwestern | Larry Murray misses badly on a 3 pointer from the left corner but the foul's on Michael Meier - foul #3 on Michael Meier, team foul #1 | 42-33 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Danny Hall (C) Michael Meier | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Alvaro Mancini (PG), Pavel Luczynski (SF), Roy Greene (PF), Kevin Debord (C) Lewis Avery, Jonathan Pannell, Anthony Westhoff, Jason Desilets | |
| 17:50 | Northwestern | Larry Murray misses the 1st free throw | 42-33 |
| 17:50 | Northwestern | Larry Murray makes the 2nd free throw | 42-34 |
| 17:50 | Northwestern | Larry Murray makes the 3rd free throw | 42-35 |
| 17:33 | Michigan State | James Nelson's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 42-35 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jonathan Pannell (SF) Larry Murray | |
| 17:13 | Northwestern | Kevin Debord misses short on a floater from the right side | 42-35 |
| 17:12 | Northwestern | Kevin Debord tips it back up and in | 42-37 |
| 16:43 | Michigan State | James Nelson hits the front of the rim on the 3pt shot from the left wing | 42-37 |
| 16:41 | Michigan State | James Nelson snags the offensive board | 42-37 |
| 16:18 | Michigan State | George Taylor makes the 3pt jumper from the left wing on a great pass from Charles Stokes | 45-37 |
| 15:57 | Northwestern | Jonathan Pannell is fouled on the floor by William Webster - foul #2 on William Webster, team foul #2 | 45-37 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Ronald Scholl (SG), Kenneth Pina (SF), Michael Meier (C) Charles Stokes, James Nelson, Danny Hall | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Larry Murray (SG), Anthony Westhoff (PF), Jason Desilets (C) Jonathan Pannell, Roy Greene, Kevin Debord | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - William Webster (fresh) 14 pts. 1 ast. SG - Ronald Scholl (fresh) 3 pts. SF - Kenneth Pina (fresh) 3 pts. PF - George Taylor (fresh) 17 pts. 4 reb. C - Michael Meier (fresh) 3 pf. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Alvaro Mancini (fresh) 1 ast. SG - Larry Murray (fresh) 10 pts. SF - Pavel Luczynski (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. PF - Anthony Westhoff (fresh) 6 pts. 3 reb. C - Jason Desilets (fresh) 4 pts. | |
| 15:37 | Northwestern | Larry Murray hits the front of the rim on the 3pt attempt from the left wing | 45-37 |
| 15:35 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to George Taylor | 45-37 |
| 15:11 | Michigan State | Michael Meier hits a driving attempt from the baseline on a nice dish by William Webster | 47-37 |
| 14:42 | Northwestern | Jason Desilets dunks the ball | 47-39 |
| 14:25 | Michigan State | Kenneth Pina hits the front of the rim on the 3 from the left corner | 47-39 |
| 14:23 | Michigan State | William Webster gets the offensive rebound | 47-39 |
| 14:02 | Michigan State | George Taylor buries a 3 from the left wing | 50-39 |
| 13:49 | Northwestern | Anthony Westhoff comes up short on the pull-up jumper from the left side but he's fouled by George Taylor - foul #3 on George Taylor, team foul #3 | 50-39 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Charles Stokes (PG), James Nelson (SG), Bruce Deacon (PF) William Webster, Ronald Scholl, George Taylor | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Lewis Avery (PG), Jonathan Pannell (SF), Kevin Debord (C) Alvaro Mancini, Larry Murray, Jason Desilets | |
| 13:49 | Northwestern | Anthony Westhoff makes the 1st free throw | 50-40 |
| 13:49 | Northwestern | Anthony Westhoff misses the 2nd free throw | 50-40 |
| 13:49 | Michigan State | Bruce Deacon grabs the defensive rebound | 50-40 |
| 13:28 | Michigan State | Bruce Deacon scores on a jumpshot from just outside the lane on a great pass from Michael Meier and he's hacked by Lewis Avery - foul #2 on Lewis Avery, team foul #1 | 52-40 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Roy Greene (PF) Anthony Westhoff | |
| 13:28 | Michigan State | Bruce Deacon misses the free throw | 52-40 |
| 13:28 | Northwestern | Kevin Debord grabs the board | 52-40 |
| 13:08 | Northwestern | Kenneth Pina is called for the reach on Jonathan Pannell - foul #2 on Kenneth Pina, team foul #4 | 52-40 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jason Desilets (C) Kevin Debord | |
| 12:54 | Northwestern | Pavel Luczynski loses the ball out of bounds | 52-40 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Larry Murray (SG) Jonathan Pannell | |
| 12:31 | Michigan State | Kenneth Pina misses long on a 3pt shot from the right wing | 52-40 |
| 12:30 | Northwestern | Lewis Avery snags the defensive board | 52-40 |
| 12:13 | Northwestern | Jason Desilets loses the dribble to Bruce Deacon | 52-40 |
| 12:01 | Michigan State | James Nelson can't connect on a 3pt shot from straight away | 52-40 |
| 11:59 | Northwestern | Pavel Luczynski pulls down the rebound | 52-40 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a triangle offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a flex offense and a 2-3 zone (-2) | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Charles Stokes (fresh) 3 ast. SG - James Nelson (fresh) 6 pts. 3 ast. SF - Kenneth Pina (fairly fresh) 3 pts. PF - Bruce Deacon (fresh) 4 pts. 3 reb. C - Michael Meier (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 3 pf. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Lewis Avery (fresh) 5 pts. 4 ast. SG - Larry Murray (fresh) 10 pts. SF - Pavel Luczynski (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. PF - Roy Greene (fresh) 2 pts. C - Jason Desilets (fresh) 6 pts. | |
| 11:41 | Northwestern | Pavel Luczynski hits a floater from the right wing | 52-42 |
| 11:16 | Michigan State | Jason Desilets swats the short shot by Bruce Deacon | 52-42 |
| 11:14 | Northwestern | Roy Greene grabs the defensive rebound | 52-42 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a triangle offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a flex offense (slowdown) and a 2-3 zone (-2) | |
| 10:57 | Northwestern | Pavel Luczynski hits a 3pt shot from the right wing | 52-45 |
| 10:34 | Michigan State | Kenneth Pina hits a 3 from the left wing on a nice dish by Charles Stokes | 55-45 |
| 10:14 | Northwestern | Pavel Luczynski can't connect on a 3 pointer from straight away | 55-45 |
| 10:12 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to James Nelson | 55-45 |
| 09:43 | Michigan State | Bruce Deacon blows the dunk | 55-45 |
| 09:41 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Pavel Luczynski | 55-45 |
| 09:13 | Northwestern | Roy Greene can't finish the layup | 55-45 |
| 09:12 | Michigan State | Michael Meier grabs the defensive rebound | 55-45 |
| 09:06 | Michigan State | James Nelson comes up short on the jumpshot from the left wing but he's hacked by Roy Greene - foul #1 on Roy Greene, team foul #2 | 55-45 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Ronald Scholl (SG), William Webster (SF), George Taylor (PF), Danny Hall (C) Charles Stokes, Kenneth Pina, Bruce Deacon, Michael Meier | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Alvaro Mancini (PG), Jonathan Pannell (SF), Anthony Westhoff (PF), Kevin Debord (C) Lewis Avery, Larry Murray, Roy Greene, Jason Desilets | |
| 09:06 | Michigan State | James Nelson misses the 1st free throw | 55-45 |
| 09:06 | Michigan State | James Nelson misses the 2nd free throw | 55-45 |
| 09:06 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Kevin Debord | 55-45 |
| 08:50 | Northwestern | Kevin Debord comes up short on the pull-up jumper from the right wing but the foul's on Danny Hall - foul #1 on Danny Hall, team foul #5 | 55-45 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Charles Stokes (PG) James Nelson | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 08:50 | Northwestern | Kevin Debord makes the 1st free throw | 55-46 |
| 08:50 | Northwestern | Kevin Debord makes the 2nd free throw | 55-47 |
| 08:28 | Michigan State | George Taylor is fouled on the floor by Alvaro Mancini - foul #1 on Alvaro Mancini, team foul #3 | 55-47 |
| 08:09 | Michigan State | George Taylor hits the front of the rim on the runner from the baseline but he's hacked by Anthony Westhoff - foul #3 on Anthony Westhoff, team foul #4 | 55-47 |
| 08:09 | Michigan State | George Taylor makes the 1st free throw | 56-47 |
| 08:09 | Michigan State | George Taylor misses the 2nd free throw | 56-47 |
| 08:09 | Northwestern | Anthony Westhoff pulls down the rebound | 56-47 |
| 07:52 | Northwestern | Alvaro Mancini is fouled on the floor by Ronald Scholl - foul #2 on Ronald Scholl, team foul #6 | 56-47 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Charles Stokes (fairly fresh) 4 ast. SG - Ronald Scholl (fresh) 3 pts. SF - William Webster (fresh) 14 pts. 2 ast. PF - George Taylor (fresh) 21 pts. 5 reb. 3 pf. C - Danny Hall (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Alvaro Mancini (fresh) 1 ast. SG - Pavel Luczynski (tiring) 7 pts. 5 reb. SF - Jonathan Pannell (fresh) PF - Anthony Westhoff (fresh) 7 pts. 4 reb. 3 pf. C - Kevin Debord (fresh) 10 pts. 5 reb. | |
| 07:33 | Northwestern | Danny Hall picks off the pass by Pavel Luczynski | 56-47 |
| 07:12 | Michigan State | George Taylor buries a turnaround from the left block | 58-47 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a triangle offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a flex offense and a 2-3 zone (-2) | |
| 06:51 | Northwestern | Pavel Luczynski hits the front of the rim on the 3 pointer from the right corner | 58-47 |
| 06:50 | Northwestern | Anthony Westhoff hits the follow up shot | 58-49 |
| 06:28 | Michigan State | Pavel Luczynski steals it from Danny Hall | 58-49 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a triangle offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a flex offense (slowdown) and a 2-3 zone (-2) | |
| 06:06 | Northwestern | Anthony Westhoff misses long on a fadeaway from the free throw line | 58-49 |
| 06:04 | Michigan State | William Webster grabs the defensive rebound | 58-49 |
| 05:39 | Michigan State | Alvaro Mancini is called for the reach on William Webster - foul #2 on Alvaro Mancini, team foul #5 | 58-49 |
| Subs | Michigan State | James Nelson (PG), Kenneth Pina (SF), Michael Meier (C) Charles Stokes, Ronald Scholl, Danny Hall | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Lewis Avery (PG), Larry Murray (SG), Jason Desilets (C) Alvaro Mancini, Pavel Luczynski, Kevin Debord | |
| 05:15 | Michigan State | Kenneth Pina can't connect on a 3pt jumper from the left wing | 58-49 |
| 05:13 | Northwestern | Jason Desilets pulls down the rebound | 58-49 |
| 04:49 | Northwestern | Larry Murray scores on a jumper from just outside the lane | 58-51 |
| 04:21 | Michigan State | George Taylor misses long on a 3pt shot from the left wing | 58-51 |
| 04:19 | Northwestern | Larry Murray snags the defensive board | 58-51 |
| 04:15 | Northwestern | Larry Murray misses badly on a shot from just outside the lane but the foul's on William Webster - foul #3 on William Webster, team foul #7 | 58-51 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Ronald Scholl (SG), Bruce Deacon (PF) William Webster, George Taylor | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 04:15 | Northwestern | Larry Murray misses the 1st free throw | 58-51 |
| 04:15 | Northwestern | Larry Murray misses the 2nd free throw | 58-51 |
| 04:15 | Michigan State | Michael Meier grabs the board | 58-51 |
| 03:52 | Michigan State | Kenneth Pina misses badly on a 3pt jumper from the right corner | 58-51 |
| 03:50 | Northwestern | Larry Murray grabs the defensive rebound | 58-51 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - James Nelson (fresh) 6 pts. 3 ast. SG - Ronald Scholl (fresh) 3 pts. SF - Kenneth Pina (fresh) 6 pts. PF - Bruce Deacon (fresh) 4 pts. 3 reb. C - Michael Meier (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. 3 pf. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Lewis Avery (fresh) 5 pts. 4 ast. SG - Larry Murray (fresh) 12 pts. SF - Jonathan Pannell (fairly fresh) PF - Anthony Westhoff (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 5 reb. 3 pf. C - Jason Desilets (fresh) 6 pts. 2 reb. | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a triangle offense (slowdown) and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a flex offense (uptempo) and a 2-3 zone (-2) | |
| 03:35 | Northwestern | Anthony Westhoff throws a bad pass out of bounds | 58-51 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Alvaro Mancini (PG) Lewis Avery | |
| 03:11 | Michigan State | Bruce Deacon hits a runner near the basket on a great pass from Ronald Scholl | 60-51 |
| 02:47 | Northwestern | Jonathan Pannell's dunk attempt is rejected by Michael Meier | 60-51 |
| 02:46 | Michigan State | Kenneth Pina grabs the defensive rebound | 60-51 |
| 02:46 | Michigan State | Michigan State calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 60-51 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Charles Stokes (PG), William Webster (SF), George Taylor (PF) Ronald Scholl, Kenneth Pina, Bruce Deacon | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Lewis Avery (PG) Alvaro Mancini | |
| 02:17 | Michigan State | James Nelson hits the finger roll | 62-51 |
| 01:56 | Northwestern | Lewis Avery misses short on a 3pt jumper from the right wing | 62-51 |
| 01:54 | Michigan State | James Nelson gets the rebound | 62-51 |
| 01:50 | Michigan State | William Webster misses badly on a shot from the left wing | 62-51 |
| 01:48 | Michigan State | James Nelson tips it in | 64-51 |
| 01:27 | Northwestern | Michael Meier blocks the short jumper by Jason Desilets | 64-51 |
| 01:26 | Michigan State | George Taylor pulls down the rebound | 64-51 |
| 01:12 | Michigan State | James Nelson misses badly on a 3pt shot from the right corner | 64-51 |
| 01:11 | Michigan State | George Taylor tips it in | 66-51 |
| 00:58 | Northwestern | Anthony Westhoff connects on the fadeaway jumper from the right side on a great pass from Lewis Avery | 66-53 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a flex offense (uptempo) and a 2-3 zone (-2) | |
| 00:30 | Michigan State | James Nelson scores on a runner from the baseline on a great pass from Michael Meier | 68-53 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+3) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a 2-3 zone (-2) | |
| 00:25 | Northwestern | Lewis Avery is hacked by Charles Stokes - foul #2 on Charles Stokes, team foul #8 | 68-53 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Ronald Scholl (SG), Kenneth Pina (SF), Bruce Deacon (PF), Danny Hall (C) James Nelson, William Webster, George Taylor, Michael Meier | |
| Subs | Northwestern | James Fullerton (SG), Pavel Luczynski (SF), Roy Greene (PF), Kevin Debord (C) Larry Murray, Jonathan Pannell, Anthony Westhoff, Jason Desilets | |
| 00:25 | Northwestern | Lewis Avery makes the 1st free throw | 68-54 |
| 00:25 | Northwestern | Lewis Avery misses the 2nd free throw | 68-54 |
| 00:25 | Michigan State | Danny Hall snags the defensive board | 68-54 |
| 00:00 | Michigan State | Charles Stokes runs out the clock | 68-54 |