| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Ellis Molden (fresh) SG - William Hope (fresh) SF - Timothy Talbot (fresh) PF - Carlos Brown (fresh) C - Michael Shorts (fresh) | |
| Lineup | Cincinnati | PG - Robert Stewart (fresh) SG - Jason Howard (fresh) SF - Arnold Potter (fresh) PF - Albert Bukowinski (fresh) C - Mike Mattes (fresh) | |
| 20:00 | Michigan State | Michael Shorts wins the tip | 0-0 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a triangle offense and a man to man (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Cincinnati | Cincinnati is playing a motion offense and a man to man (-1) | |
| 19:36 | Michigan State | William Hope makes the 3pt shot from straight away on a nice dish by Ellis Molden | 3-0 |
| 19:13 | Cincinnati | Robert Stewart throws a bad pass out of bounds | 3-0 |
| 18:53 | Michigan State | Michael Shorts is whistled for a carry | 3-0 |
| 18:36 | Cincinnati | Arnold Potter buries a 3pt jumper from the left corner on a nice dish by Jason Howard | 3-3 |
| 18:15 | Michigan State | Mike Mattes is called for the reach on Ellis Molden - foul #1 on Mike Mattes, team foul #1 | 3-3 |
| 18:10 | Michigan State | Ellis Molden makes the jumpshot from the left side | 5-3 |
| 17:52 | Cincinnati | Robert Stewart can't connect on a jumpshot from the left wing | 5-3 |
| 17:50 | Michigan State | Michael Shorts snags the defensive board | 5-3 |
| 17:34 | Michigan State | William Hope misses badly on a 3pt attempt from the right wing | 5-3 |
| 17:32 | Cincinnati | Mike Mattes gets the rebound | 5-3 |
| 17:21 | Cincinnati | Mike Mattes throws a bad pass out of bounds | 5-3 |
| 16:52 | Michigan State | Timothy Talbot drills a shot from the baseline | 7-3 |
| 16:46 | Cincinnati | Ellis Molden picks off the pass by Jason Howard | 7-3 |
| 16:28 | Michigan State | William Hope misses badly on a 3 pointer from the left corner | 7-3 |
| 16:27 | Cincinnati | Mike Mattes gets the rebound | 7-3 |
| 16:12 | Cincinnati | Mike Mattes clanks a floater from the left wing | 7-3 |
| 16:10 | Michigan State | Carlos Brown pulls down the rebound | 7-3 |
| 15:52 | Michigan State | Timothy Talbot misses the fadeaway from the free throw line | 7-3 |
| 15:50 | Cincinnati | Mike Mattes grabs the defensive rebound | 7-3 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Ellis Molden (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 1 ast. SG - William Hope (fairly fresh) 3 pts. SF - Timothy Talbot (fairly fresh) 2 pts. PF - Carlos Brown (fairly fresh) C - Michael Shorts (fairly fresh) | |
| Lineup | Cincinnati | PG - Robert Stewart (fresh) SG - Jason Howard (fresh) 1 ast. SF - Arnold Potter (fresh) 3 pts. PF - Albert Bukowinski (fresh) C - Mike Mattes (fairly fresh) 3 reb. | |
| 15:44 | Cincinnati | Carlos Brown swats the short shot by Robert Stewart | 7-3 |
| 15:42 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to Ellis Molden | 7-3 |
| 15:25 | Michigan State | Michael Shorts is whistled for an offensive foul - foul #1 on Michael Shorts, team foul #1 | 7-3 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Anthony Cron (PG), Dominic Esposito (SG), Wayne Benavides (SF), Ronnie Maggard (PF), David Pigford (C) Ellis Molden, William Hope, Timothy Talbot, Carlos Brown, Michael Shorts | |
| Subs | Cincinnati | | |
| 15:14 | Cincinnati | Jason Howard comes up short on the 3pt shot from straight away | 7-3 |
| 15:12 | Michigan State | Ronnie Maggard pulls down the rebound | 7-3 |
| 15:07 | Michigan State | David Pigford misses short on a jumper from the right block | 7-3 |
| 15:06 | Cincinnati | Albert Bukowinski pulls down the rebound | 7-3 |
| 14:47 | Cincinnati | Dominic Esposito is called for the reach on Jason Howard - foul #1 on Dominic Esposito, team foul #2 | 7-3 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Cincinnati | Michael Romo (PG), William Mitchell (SG), Dustin Jackson (SF) Robert Stewart, Jason Howard, Arnold Potter | |
| 14:33 | Cincinnati | Dominic Esposito picks off the pass by Albert Bukowinski | 7-3 |
| 14:30 | Michigan State | Dominic Esposito misses the easy layup | 7-3 |
| 14:29 | Michigan State | Anthony Cron gets the offensive rebound | 7-3 |
| 14:16 | Michigan State | David Pigford misses short on a runner from the right block but the foul's on Mike Mattes - foul #2 on Mike Mattes, team foul #2 | 7-3 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Cincinnati | John Howell (C) Mike Mattes | |
| 14:16 | Michigan State | David Pigford makes the 1st free throw | 8-3 |
| 14:16 | Michigan State | David Pigford makes the 2nd free throw | 9-3 |
| 13:56 | Cincinnati | Michael Romo misses the 3pt attempt from the right wing | 9-3 |
| 13:54 | Cincinnati | William Mitchell hits the follow up shot | 9-5 |
| 13:41 | Michigan State | Dustin Jackson picks off the pass by David Pigford | 9-5 |
| 13:23 | Cincinnati | Michael Romo is whistled for a carry | 9-5 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Ellis Molden (PG), William Hope (SG), Timothy Talbot (SF), Carlos Brown (PF), Michael Shorts (C) Anthony Cron, Dominic Esposito, Wayne Benavides, Ronnie Maggard, David Pigford | |
| Subs | Cincinnati | Robert Stewart (PG), Jason Howard (SG), Arnold Potter (SF) Michael Romo, William Mitchell, Dustin Jackson | |
| 13:08 | Michigan State | Timothy Talbot can't finish the layup but he's fouled by Arnold Potter - foul #1 on Arnold Potter, team foul #3 | 9-5 |
| 13:08 | Michigan State | Timothy Talbot makes the 1st free throw | 10-5 |
| 13:08 | Michigan State | Timothy Talbot makes the 2nd free throw | 11-5 |
| 12:46 | Cincinnati | Jason Howard lays it in on a great pass from John Howell | 11-7 |
| 12:29 | Michigan State | Timothy Talbot's fadeaway is rejected by Albert Bukowinski | 11-7 |
| 12:28 | Michigan State | Timothy Talbot grabs the offensive rebound | 11-7 |
| 12:12 | Michigan State | Carlos Brown misses short on a driving attempt from the right block | 11-7 |
| 12:10 | Cincinnati | Jason Howard grabs the board | 11-7 |
| 11:48 | Cincinnati | Robert Stewart is hacked by William Hope - foul #1 on William Hope, team foul #3 | 11-7 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Wayne Benavides (SF), Ronnie Maggard (PF), David Pigford (C) Timothy Talbot, Carlos Brown, Michael Shorts | |
| Subs | Cincinnati | Lawrence Hudson (C) John Howell | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Ellis Molden (fresh) 2 pts. 1 ast. SG - William Hope (fresh) 3 pts. SF - Wayne Benavides (fresh) PF - Ronnie Maggard (fresh) C - David Pigford (fresh) 2 pts. | |
| Lineup | Cincinnati | PG - Robert Stewart (fresh) SG - Jason Howard (fresh) 2 pts. 1 ast. SF - Arnold Potter (fresh) 3 pts. PF - Albert Bukowinski (fairly fresh) C - Lawrence Hudson (fresh) | |
| 11:36 | Cincinnati | Jason Howard misses badly on a 3 from the left corner | 11-7 |
| 11:35 | Cincinnati | Arnold Potter hits the follow up shot | 11-9 |
| 11:21 | Michigan State | William Hope can't connect on a 3 pointer from the left corner | 11-9 |
| 11:20 | Cincinnati | Arnold Potter gets the rebound | 11-9 |
| 10:53 | Cincinnati | Robert Stewart buries a fadeaway jumper from the right side on a great pass from Arnold Potter and he's fouled by William Hope - foul #2 on William Hope, team foul #4 | 11-11 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Anthony Cron (PG), Dominic Esposito (SG) Ellis Molden, William Hope | |
| Subs | Cincinnati | John Howell (C) Albert Bukowinski | |
| 10:53 | Cincinnati | Robert Stewart makes the free throw | 11-12 |
| 10:25 | Michigan State | Ronnie Maggard misses long on a fadeaway from the free throw line | 11-12 |
| 10:23 | Cincinnati | Lawrence Hudson pulls down the rebound | 11-12 |
| 10:19 | Cincinnati | Ronnie Maggard is called for the reach on Robert Stewart - foul #1 on Ronnie Maggard, team foul #5 | 11-12 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Timothy Talbot (SF), Carlos Brown (PF), Michael Shorts (C) Dominic Esposito, Ronnie Maggard, David Pigford | |
| Subs | Cincinnati | Michael Romo (PG) Robert Stewart | |
| 10:01 | Cincinnati | Michael Romo hits the front of the rim on the 3pt shot from the left corner | 11-12 |
| 09:59 | Michigan State | Timothy Talbot snags the defensive board | 11-12 |
| 09:44 | Michigan State | Carlos Brown misses the jump hook from close range but the foul's on Lawrence Hudson - foul #1 on Lawrence Hudson, team foul #4 | 11-12 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Cincinnati | William Mitchell (SG), Dustin Jackson (SF), Albert Bukowinski (PF) Jason Howard, Arnold Potter, John Howell | |
| 09:44 | Michigan State | Carlos Brown misses the 1st free throw | 11-12 |
| 09:44 | Michigan State | Carlos Brown makes the 2nd free throw | 12-12 |
| 09:27 | Cincinnati | Dustin Jackson misses the jumper from just outside the lane | 12-12 |
| 09:25 | Cincinnati | Michael Romo snags the offensive board | 12-12 |
| 09:14 | Cincinnati | Wayne Benavides is called for the reach on William Mitchell - foul #1 on Wayne Benavides, team foul #6 | 12-12 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Ellis Molden (PG) Anthony Cron | |
| Subs | Cincinnati | Robert Stewart (PG), John Howell (C) William Mitchell, Lawrence Hudson | |
| 08:54 | Cincinnati | Michael Romo scores on a 3pt shot from the right corner on a great pass from Robert Stewart | 12-15 |
| 08:41 | Michigan State | Carlos Brown jams it | 14-15 |
| 08:22 | Cincinnati | John Howell loses the dribble to Carlos Brown | 14-15 |
| 08:04 | Michigan State | Michael Shorts hits the front of the rim on the fadeaway jumper from just outside the lane but the foul's on John Howell - foul #1 on John Howell, team foul #5 | 14-15 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Dominic Esposito (SG), Ronnie Maggard (SF), David Pigford (PF) Wayne Benavides, Timothy Talbot, Carlos Brown | |
| Subs | Cincinnati | Jason Howard (SG), Arnold Potter (SF) Michael Romo, Dustin Jackson | |
| 08:04 | Michigan State | Michael Shorts makes the 1st free throw | 15-15 |
| 08:04 | Michigan State | Michael Shorts makes the 2nd free throw | 16-15 |
| 07:37 | Cincinnati | John Howell misses short on a shot from the left wing | 16-15 |
| 07:35 | Cincinnati | John Howell tips it but misses | 16-15 |
| 07:33 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to Michael Shorts | 16-15 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Ellis Molden (fresh) 2 pts. 1 ast. SG - Dominic Esposito (fresh) SF - Ronnie Maggard (fresh) PF - David Pigford (fresh) 2 pts. C - Michael Shorts (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Cincinnati | PG - Robert Stewart (fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. SG - Jason Howard (fresh) 2 pts. 1 ast. SF - Arnold Potter (fresh) 5 pts. 2 reb. PF - Albert Bukowinski (tiring) C - John Howell (fairly fresh) | |
| 07:14 | Michigan State | Arnold Potter is called for the reach on Ellis Molden - foul #2 on Arnold Potter, team foul #6 | 16-15 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Anthony Cron (PG), Timothy Talbot (SF) Ellis Molden, Michael Shorts | |
| Subs | Cincinnati | Michael Romo (PG), Dustin Jackson (SF), Lawrence Hudson (C) Robert Stewart, Arnold Potter, John Howell | |
| 06:53 | Michigan State | Anthony Cron misses the 3 pointer from the right corner | 16-15 |
| 06:51 | Michigan State | Dominic Esposito hits the follow up shot | 18-15 |
| 06:31 | Cincinnati | Jason Howard scores on a fadeaway jumper from the left wing on a great pass from Albert Bukowinski | 18-17 |
| 06:12 | Michigan State | David Pigford makes the jumper from the right wing set up by Timothy Talbot | 20-17 |
| 05:56 | Cincinnati | Dustin Jackson steps out of bounds on the baseline | 20-17 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Ellis Molden (PG), Wayne Benavides (SG), Carlos Brown (PF) Anthony Cron, Dominic Esposito, Timothy Talbot | |
| Subs | Cincinnati | Robert Stewart (PG), John Howell (C) Michael Romo, Albert Bukowinski | |
| 05:40 | Michigan State | David Pigford is called for traveling | 20-17 |
| 05:18 | Cincinnati | Jason Howard knocks in the 3 from straight away set up by Robert Stewart | 20-20 |
| 05:06 | Michigan State | David Pigford comes up short on the driving attempt in the lane | 20-20 |
| 05:04 | Michigan State | David Pigford gets the offensive rebound | 20-20 |
| 04:50 | Michigan State | Carlos Brown is fouled on the floor by Lawrence Hudson - foul #2 on Lawrence Hudson, team foul #7 | 20-20 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Timothy Talbot (SF), Michael Shorts (C) Ronnie Maggard, David Pigford | |
| Subs | Cincinnati | Albert Bukowinski (PF) Lawrence Hudson | |
| 04:50 | Michigan State | Carlos Brown misses the 1st free throw | 20-20 |
| 04:50 | Cincinnati | Albert Bukowinski snags the defensive board | 20-20 |
| 04:23 | Cincinnati | Jason Howard misses short on a fadeaway jumper from the left side | 20-20 |
| 04:21 | Michigan State | Timothy Talbot grabs the board | 20-20 |
| 04:02 | Michigan State | Robert Stewart is called for the reach on Ellis Molden - foul #1 on Robert Stewart, team foul #8 | 20-20 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Cincinnati | Michael Romo (SG), William Mitchell (SF) Jason Howard, Dustin Jackson | |
| 04:02 | Michigan State | Ellis Molden makes the 1st free throw | 21-20 |
| 04:02 | Michigan State | Ellis Molden makes the 2nd free throw | 22-20 |
| 03:55 | Cincinnati | John Howell can't finish the layup but he's hacked by Carlos Brown - foul #1 on Carlos Brown, team foul #7 | 22-20 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Anthony Cron (PG), William Hope (SG) Ellis Molden, Wayne Benavides | |
| Subs | Cincinnati | Arnold Potter (SF), Mike Mattes (C) William Mitchell, Albert Bukowinski | |
| 03:55 | Cincinnati | John Howell misses the 1st free throw | 22-20 |
| 03:55 | Cincinnati | John Howell makes the 2nd free throw | 22-21 |
| 03:35 | Michigan State | Arnold Potter steals it from Carlos Brown | 22-21 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Anthony Cron (fresh) SG - William Hope (fresh) 3 pts. SF - Timothy Talbot (fresh) 4 pts. 3 reb. PF - Carlos Brown (fresh) 3 pts. C - Michael Shorts (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Cincinnati | PG - Robert Stewart (fresh) 3 pts. 2 ast. SG - Michael Romo (fresh) 3 pts. SF - Arnold Potter (fresh) 5 pts. 2 reb. PF - John Howell (fairly fresh) 1 pts. C - Mike Mattes (fresh) 3 reb. | |
| 03:10 | Cincinnati | Mike Mattes comes up short on the pull-up jumper from the left wing but the foul's on Michael Shorts - foul #2 on Michael Shorts, team foul #8 | 22-21 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Wayne Benavides (SF), David Pigford (PF) Timothy Talbot, Carlos Brown | |
| Subs | Cincinnati | Jason Howard (SG), Albert Bukowinski (PF) Robert Stewart, John Howell | |
| 03:10 | Cincinnati | Mike Mattes makes the 1st free throw | 22-22 |
| 03:10 | Cincinnati | Mike Mattes misses the 2nd free throw | 22-22 |
| 03:10 | Michigan State | Wayne Benavides grabs the board | 22-22 |
| 02:48 | Michigan State | David Pigford is whistled for a charge - foul #1 on David Pigford, team foul #9 | 22-22 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Ellis Molden (PG) Anthony Cron | |
| Subs | Cincinnati | Lawrence Hudson (PF) Albert Bukowinski | |
| 02:32 | Cincinnati | Michael Romo scores on a 3 pointer from the left wing set up by Jason Howard | 22-25 |
| 02:13 | Michigan State | Ellis Molden misses the 3pt jumper from the left corner | 22-25 |
| 02:11 | Michigan State | Michael Shorts tips it in | 24-25 |
| 01:56 | Cincinnati | Arnold Potter hits the front of the rim on the pull-up jumper from the right side | 24-25 |
| 01:54 | Cincinnati | Arnold Potter tips it back up and in | 24-27 |
| 01:37 | Michigan State | David Pigford makes the driving attempt from the baseline | 26-27 |
| 01:19 | Cincinnati | Arnold Potter comes up short on the 3pt shot from the right corner | 26-27 |
| 01:18 | Michigan State | Michael Shorts pulls down the rebound | 26-27 |
| 00:56 | Michigan State | William Hope makes the 3pt attempt from the right corner | 29-27 |
| 00:40 | Cincinnati | Arnold Potter is called for the illegal screen - foul #3 on Arnold Potter, team foul #9 | 29-27 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Anthony Cron (PG), Dominic Esposito (SG), Timothy Talbot (SF), Carlos Brown (PF) Ellis Molden, William Hope, Wayne Benavides, David Pigford | |
| Subs | Cincinnati | Robert Stewart (PG), Dustin Jackson (SF), Albert Bukowinski (PF) Jason Howard, Arnold Potter, Lawrence Hudson | |
| 00:14 | Michigan State | Anthony Cron misses badly on a 3 from the left wing | 29-27 |
| 00:13 | Cincinnati | Dustin Jackson pulls down the rebound | 29-27 |
| 00:01 | Cincinnati | Albert Bukowinski misses the turnaround near the basket | 29-27 |
| 00:00 | Michigan State | Michael Shorts grabs the board | 29-27 |