| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Wilbur Honeycutt (fresh) 8 pts. 1 ast. SG - Kenneth Henderson (fresh) 3 pf. SF - Richard Taylor (fresh) 3 pts. 2 reb. PF - Calvin Enos (fresh) 2 pts. C - Dennis Parkinson (fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Brian Baker (fresh) 3 ast. SG - John Stacy (fresh) 12 pts. SF - Blaine Hackworth (fresh) 2 pts. PF - John Job (fresh) 3 reb. C - James Woodley (fresh) 3 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Illinois | Blaine Hackworth inbounds the ball | 32-36 |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (+2) | |
| 19:43 | Illinois | Blaine Hackworth is fouled on the floor by Dennis Parkinson - foul #1 on Dennis Parkinson, team foul #1 | 32-36 |
| 19:14 | Illinois | Brian Baker works out of a doubleteam but hits the front of the rim on the jumper from the right block but the foul's on Richard Taylor - foul #1 on Richard Taylor, team foul #2 | 32-36 |
| 19:14 | Illinois | Brian Baker makes the 1st free throw | 32-37 |
| 19:14 | Illinois | Brian Baker makes the 2nd free throw | 32-38 |
| 19:04 | Northwestern | Richard Taylor connects on the 3 pointer from the right corner on a nice dish by Wilbur Honeycutt | 35-38 |
| 18:37 | Illinois | Blaine Hackworth loses the dribble to Dennis Parkinson | 35-38 |
| 18:30 | Northwestern | Richard Taylor can't connect on a 3pt attempt from the left corner | 35-38 |
| 18:29 | Illinois | John Job snags the defensive board | 35-38 |
| 18:22 | Illinois | Calvin Enos denies the turnaround by John Job | 35-38 |
| 18:21 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Richard Taylor | 35-38 |
| 18:01 | Northwestern | Wilbur Honeycutt drills a jumpshot from the left wing set up by Kenneth Henderson | 37-38 |
| 17:35 | Illinois | John Job's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 37-38 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Illinois | Kenneth Bane (PF), Jerry Behne (C) John Job, James Woodley | |
| 17:20 | Northwestern | Richard Taylor loses the dribble to Kenneth Bane | 37-38 |
| 16:58 | Illinois | Kenneth Bane clanks a fadeaway jumper from the right wing | 37-38 |
| 16:56 | Illinois | Jerry Behne snags the offensive board | 37-38 |
| 16:41 | Illinois | John Stacy is fouled on the floor by Kenneth Henderson - foul #4 on Kenneth Henderson, team foul #3 | 37-38 |
| Subs | Northwestern | James Bancroft (PG), Frank Dixon (SG), Richard Roberts (SF), Allen Misner (C) Wilbur Honeycutt, Kenneth Henderson, Richard Taylor, Dennis Parkinson | |
| Subs | Illinois | Robert Pope (SG), George Hohl (SF) John Stacy, Blaine Hackworth | |
| 16:21 | Illinois | Brian Baker is hacked by James Bancroft - foul #1 on James Bancroft, team foul #4 | 37-38 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Illinois | Andrew Toney (PG), John Job (PF) Brian Baker, Kenneth Bane | |
| 16:05 | Illinois | John Job comes up short on the shot in the lane but he's fouled by Calvin Enos - foul #1 on Calvin Enos, team foul #5 | 37-38 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Illinois | James Woodley (C) Jerry Behne | |
| 16:05 | Illinois | John Job makes the 1st free throw | 37-39 |
| 16:05 | Illinois | John Job misses the 2nd free throw | 37-39 |
| 16:05 | Northwestern | Frank Dixon snags the defensive board | 37-39 |
| 15:45 | Northwestern | James Bancroft is called for traveling | 37-39 |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - James Bancroft (fresh) 2 pts. 2 ast. SG - Frank Dixon (fresh) 7 pts. SF - Richard Roberts (fresh) PF - Calvin Enos (fairly fresh) 2 pts. C - Allen Misner (fresh) 7 pts. 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Andrew Toney (fresh) 2 pts. SG - Robert Pope (fresh) SF - George Hohl (fresh) 5 pts. 2 reb. PF - John Job (fresh) 1 pts. 4 reb. C - James Woodley (fresh) 3 reb. | |
| 15:31 | Illinois | Robert Pope hits the front of the rim on the shot from the right wing but he's hacked by Frank Dixon - foul #1 on Frank Dixon, team foul #6 | 37-39 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Richard Taylor (SF), Dennis Parkinson (C) Richard Roberts, Allen Misner | |
| Subs | Illinois | Brian Baker (PG) Andrew Toney | |
| 15:31 | Illinois | Robert Pope makes the 1st free throw | 37-40 |
| 15:31 | Illinois | Robert Pope makes the 2nd free throw | 37-41 |
| 15:23 | Northwestern | Richard Taylor misses badly on a jumpshot from the left wing | 37-41 |
| 15:21 | Illinois | The rebound goes to James Woodley | 37-41 |
| 14:55 | Illinois | John Job is by himself and knocks in the driving attempt in the lane on a great pass from George Hohl | 37-43 |
| 14:43 | Northwestern | Calvin Enos drills a floater from the left block and he's hacked by John Job - foul #3 on John Job, team foul #1 | 39-43 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Wilbur Honeycutt (PG) James Bancroft | |
| Subs | Illinois | John Stacy (SG), Blaine Hackworth (SF), Kenneth Bane (PF) Robert Pope, George Hohl, John Job | |
| 14:43 | Northwestern | Calvin Enos misses the free throw | 39-43 |
| 14:43 | Illinois | Kenneth Bane grabs the defensive rebound | 39-43 |
| 14:17 | Illinois | Kenneth Bane is hacked by Wilbur Honeycutt - foul #1 on Wilbur Honeycutt, team foul #7 | 39-43 |
| Subs | Northwestern | George Mayo (PF) Calvin Enos | |
| Subs | Illinois | Jerry Behne (C) James Woodley | |
| 14:17 | Illinois | Kenneth Bane misses the 1st free throw | 39-43 |
| 14:17 | Northwestern | George Mayo gets the rebound | 39-43 |
| 13:58 | Northwestern | George Mayo is doubleteamed and called for traveling | 39-43 |
| 13:44 | Illinois | Kenneth Bane buries a floater from just outside the lane on a nice dish by Blaine Hackworth | 39-45 |
| 13:20 | Northwestern | Wilbur Honeycutt is fouled on the floor by Jerry Behne - foul #3 on Jerry Behne, team foul #2 | 39-45 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Kenneth Henderson (SG), Richard Roberts (SF), Allen Misner (C) Frank Dixon, Richard Taylor, Dennis Parkinson | |
| Subs | Illinois | John Job (PF) Kenneth Bane | |
| 13:11 | Northwestern | George Mayo shoots over the doubleteam but comes up short on the jumper in the lane but he's hacked by John Job - foul #4 on John Job, team foul #3 | 39-45 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Illinois | Andrew Toney (PG) Brian Baker | |
| 13:11 | Northwestern | George Mayo makes the 1st free throw | 40-45 |
| 13:11 | Northwestern | George Mayo makes the 2nd free throw | 41-45 |
| 12:54 | Illinois | John Stacy misses badly on a 3pt shot from the right wing | 41-45 |
| 12:52 | Northwestern | Allen Misner pulls down the rebound | 41-45 |
| 12:40 | Northwestern | George Mayo buries a floater from the baseline on a nice dish by Wilbur Honeycutt | 43-45 |
| 12:26 | Illinois | Andrew Toney connects on the 3 from the right corner set up by John Stacy | 43-48 |
| 12:09 | Northwestern | Wilbur Honeycutt splits the doubleteam but misses short on a 3pt attempt from straight away | 43-48 |
| 12:07 | Illinois | Blaine Hackworth grabs the board | 43-48 |
| 11:47 | Illinois | John Stacy steps out of bounds on the sideline | 43-48 |
| Subs | Northwestern | James Bancroft (PG), Richard Taylor (SF), Calvin Enos (PF), Dennis Parkinson (C) Wilbur Honeycutt, Richard Roberts, George Mayo, Allen Misner | |
| Subs | Illinois | Brian Baker (PG), Robert Pope (SG), George Hohl (SF), Kenneth Bane (PF), James Woodley (C) Andrew Toney, John Stacy, Blaine Hackworth, John Job, Jerry Behne | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - James Bancroft (fresh) 2 pts. 2 ast. SG - Kenneth Henderson (fresh) 1 ast. 4 pf. SF - Richard Taylor (fresh) 6 pts. 3 reb. PF - Calvin Enos (fairly fresh) 4 pts. C - Dennis Parkinson (fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Brian Baker (fresh) 2 pts. 3 ast. SG - Robert Pope (fresh) 2 pts. SF - George Hohl (fresh) 5 pts. 2 reb. PF - Kenneth Bane (fresh) 12 pts. 2 reb. C - James Woodley (fresh) 4 reb. | |
| 11:29 | Northwestern | Richard Taylor scores on a jumper from the left wing | 45-48 |
| 11:12 | Illinois | Robert Pope misses long on an open floater from the right side | 45-48 |
| 11:11 | Illinois | George Hohl tips it home | 45-50 |
| 10:54 | Northwestern | Richard Taylor scores on a 3 pointer from the left wing | 48-50 |
| 10:26 | Illinois | Kenneth Bane misses short on a fadeaway jumper from just outside the lane | 48-50 |
| 10:24 | Northwestern | Calvin Enos pulls down the rebound | 48-50 |
| 10:16 | Northwestern | James Bancroft misses long on a fadeaway from the left side but the foul's on George Hohl - foul #1 on George Hohl, team foul #4 | 48-50 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Frank Dixon (SG) Kenneth Henderson | |
| Subs | Illinois | John Stacy (SG), Blaine Hackworth (SF), John Job (PF) Robert Pope, George Hohl, Kenneth Bane | |
| 10:16 | Northwestern | James Bancroft misses the 1st free throw | 48-50 |
| 10:16 | Northwestern | James Bancroft makes the 2nd free throw | 49-50 |
| 09:47 | Illinois | Brian Baker misses the jumpshot from the left wing but he's fouled by James Bancroft - foul #2 on James Bancroft, team foul #8 | 49-50 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Wilbur Honeycutt (PG), George Mayo (PF) James Bancroft, Calvin Enos | |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| 09:47 | Illinois | Brian Baker misses the 1st free throw | 49-50 |
| 09:47 | Illinois | Brian Baker misses the 2nd free throw | 49-50 |
| 09:47 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Dennis Parkinson | 49-50 |
| 09:27 | Northwestern | Wilbur Honeycutt is whistled for a carry | 49-50 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Illinois | Jerry Behne (C) James Woodley | |
| 09:13 | Illinois | John Job knocks in the jumper in the paint set up by John Stacy | 49-52 |
| 09:01 | Northwestern | Frank Dixon makes the fadeaway from just outside the lane on a nice dish by Wilbur Honeycutt | 51-52 |
| 08:39 | Illinois | Jerry Behne's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 51-52 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Kenneth Henderson (SG), Richard Roberts (SF), Calvin Enos (PF), Allen Misner (C) Frank Dixon, Richard Taylor, George Mayo, Dennis Parkinson | |
| Subs | Illinois | Robert Pope (SG) John Stacy | |
| 08:20 | Northwestern | Wilbur Honeycutt is bothered by a doubleteam and misses badly on a floater from just outside the lane | 51-52 |
| 08:19 | Illinois | The rebound goes to John Job | 51-52 |
| 08:14 | Illinois | Brian Baker works out of a doubleteam and scores on a 3pt attempt from the right wing on a great pass from Jerry Behne | 51-55 |
| 07:57 | Northwestern | John Job steps in front of the Richard Roberts pass | 51-55 |
| 07:35 | Illinois | Brian Baker can't connect on a 3 pointer from the right wing | 51-55 |
| 07:34 | Illinois | Blaine Hackworth tips it in | 51-57 |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Wilbur Honeycutt (fresh) 10 pts. 4 ast. SG - Kenneth Henderson (fresh) 1 ast. 4 pf. SF - Richard Roberts (fresh) PF - Calvin Enos (fairly fresh) 4 pts. C - Allen Misner (fresh) 7 pts. 3 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Brian Baker (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 3 ast. SG - Robert Pope (fresh) 2 pts. SF - Blaine Hackworth (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. PF - John Job (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 5 reb. 4 pf. C - Jerry Behne (fresh) 5 pts. 3 reb. 3 pf. | |
| 07:18 | Northwestern | Wilbur Honeycutt hits the front of the rim on the 3 pointer from the left corner | 51-57 |
| 07:17 | Northwestern | The offensive rebound goes to Allen Misner | 51-57 |
| 07:10 | Northwestern | Jerry Behne blocks the short jumper by Allen Misner | 51-57 |
| 07:09 | Illinois | Blaine Hackworth grabs the defensive rebound | 51-57 |
| 06:44 | Illinois | John Job knocks in the jumper from the right block on a great pass from Brian Baker and he's hacked by Kenneth Henderson - foul #5 on Kenneth Henderson, team foul #9 | 51-59 |
| Subs | Northwestern | James Bancroft (PG), Frank Dixon (SG), Richard Taylor (SF), George Mayo (PF), Dennis Parkinson (C) Wilbur Honeycutt, Kenneth Henderson, Richard Roberts, Calvin Enos, Allen Misner | |
| Subs | Illinois | Andrew Toney (PG), John Stacy (SG), George Hohl (SF), James Woodley (C) Brian Baker, Robert Pope, Blaine Hackworth, Jerry Behne | |
| 06:44 | Illinois | John Job misses the free throw | 51-59 |
| 06:44 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Dennis Parkinson | 51-59 |
| 06:24 | Northwestern | James Bancroft can't connect on a jumper from the free throw line | 51-59 |
| 06:22 | Illinois | Andrew Toney snags the defensive board | 51-59 |
| 06:02 | Illinois | James Woodley blows the dunk but he's hacked by Frank Dixon - foul #2 on Frank Dixon, team foul #10 | 51-59 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Illinois | Kenneth Bane (PF) John Job | |
| 06:02 | Illinois | James Woodley misses the 1st free throw | 51-59 |
| 06:02 | Illinois | James Woodley makes the 2nd free throw | 51-60 |
| 05:41 | Northwestern | James Bancroft buries a fadeaway from the right wing on a nice dish by George Mayo | 53-60 |
| 05:22 | Illinois | Kenneth Bane misses the runner from close range | 53-60 |
| 05:20 | Illinois | Kenneth Bane hits the follow up shot | 53-62 |
| 05:18 | Northwestern | James Bancroft's pass is intercepted by Andrew Toney in the backcourt | 53-62 |
| 04:58 | Illinois | The jump hook by James Woodley is blocked by Dennis Parkinson | 53-62 |
| 04:56 | Northwestern | Frank Dixon grabs the defensive rebound | 53-62 |
| 04:45 | Northwestern | Frank Dixon misses short on a 3pt jumper from straight away | 53-62 |
| 04:44 | Northwestern | Richard Taylor pulls down the offensive rebound | 53-62 |
| 04:44 | Northwestern | Northwestern calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 53-62 |
| Subs | Northwestern | Wilbur Honeycutt (PG), Calvin Enos (PF) James Bancroft, George Mayo | |
| Subs | Illinois | Brian Baker (PG), Blaine Hackworth (SF) Andrew Toney, George Hohl | |
| 04:32 | Northwestern | Wilbur Honeycutt evades the doubleteam and hits a jumper from just outside the lane set up by Richard Taylor | 55-62 |
| 04:07 | Illinois | Brian Baker is fouled on the floor by Frank Dixon - foul #3 on Frank Dixon, team foul #11 | 55-62 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Illinois | John Job (PF) Kenneth Bane | |
| 04:07 | Illinois | Brian Baker makes the 1st free throw | 55-63 |
| 04:07 | Illinois | Brian Baker makes the 2nd free throw | 55-64 |
| 03:51 | Northwestern | John Job is called for the reach on Frank Dixon - foul #5 on John Job, team foul #5 | 55-64 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Illinois | Kenneth Bane (PF) John Job | |
| 03:40 | Northwestern | Richard Taylor clanks a 3pt jumper from the right wing | 55-64 |
| 03:38 | Illinois | Kenneth Bane snags the defensive board | 55-64 |
| 03:23 | Illinois | Brian Baker evades the doubleteam but misses long on a 3pt jumper from the right corner | 55-64 |
| 03:22 | Illinois | Kenneth Bane tips it in | 55-66 |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Wilbur Honeycutt (fresh) 12 pts. 4 ast. SG - Frank Dixon (fresh) 9 pts. 3 pf. SF - Richard Taylor (fresh) 11 pts. 4 reb. PF - Calvin Enos (fairly fresh) 4 pts. C - Dennis Parkinson (fresh) 2 pts. 6 reb. | |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Brian Baker (fresh) 7 pts. 4 ast. SG - John Stacy (fresh) 12 pts. 2 ast. SF - Blaine Hackworth (fresh) 4 pts. 3 reb. PF - Kenneth Bane (fresh) 16 pts. 5 reb. C - James Woodley (fresh) 1 pts. 4 reb. | |
| 03:02 | Northwestern | Wilbur Honeycutt misses badly on a 3pt jumper from the right wing | 55-66 |
| 03:00 | Northwestern | The offensive rebound goes to Richard Taylor | 55-66 |
| 02:49 | Northwestern | Richard Taylor misses long on a 3pt attempt from the right corner | 55-66 |
| 02:48 | Illinois | Blaine Hackworth gets the rebound | 55-66 |
| 02:23 | Illinois | John Stacy misses the 3 from the right wing | 55-66 |
| 02:22 | Northwestern | Richard Taylor pulls down the rebound | 55-66 |
| 02:09 | Northwestern | James Woodley blocks the short jumper by Dennis Parkinson | 55-66 |
| 02:07 | Illinois | James Woodley pulls down the rebound | 55-66 |
| 01:52 | Illinois | Brian Baker drills a pull-up jumper from the free throw line | 55-68 |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense (slowdown) and a man to man (+3) | |
| 01:34 | Northwestern | Frank Dixon connects on the 3pt shot from the left wing on a nice dish by Wilbur Honeycutt | 58-68 |
| 01:13 | Illinois | John Stacy buries a 3 pointer from straight away on a nice dish by Blaine Hackworth | 58-71 |
| 01:00 | Northwestern | Frank Dixon knocks in the 3pt shot from straight away on a great pass from Wilbur Honeycutt | 61-71 |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a motion offense (uptempo) and intentionally fouling (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+3) | |
| 00:59 | Illinois | John Stacy is hacked by Wilbur Honeycutt in the backcourt - foul #2 on Wilbur Honeycutt, team foul #12 | 61-71 |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Subs | Illinois | Robert Pope (PG), George Hohl (SF) Brian Baker, Blaine Hackworth | |
| 00:59 | Illinois | John Stacy makes the 1st free throw | 61-72 |
| 00:59 | Illinois | John Stacy makes the 2nd free throw | 61-73 |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+3) | |
| 00:53 | Northwestern | Frank Dixon connects on the shot in the lane on a great pass from Wilbur Honeycutt | 63-73 |
| 00:51 | Illinois | John Stacy is hacked by Wilbur Honeycutt in the backcourt - foul #3 on Wilbur Honeycutt, team foul #13 | 63-73 |
| 00:51 | Illinois | John Stacy makes the 1st free throw | 63-74 |
| 00:51 | Illinois | John Stacy misses the 2nd free throw | 63-74 |
| 00:51 | Northwestern | Calvin Enos grabs the board | 63-74 |
| 00:44 | Northwestern | Wilbur Honeycutt misses badly on a jumper from the free throw line | 63-74 |
| 00:42 | Northwestern | The offensive rebound goes to Richard Taylor | 63-74 |
| 00:40 | Northwestern | Dennis Parkinson travels with the ball | 63-74 |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (+3) | |
| 00:12 | Illinois | Kenneth Bane can't throw it down | 63-74 |
| 00:11 | Illinois | Kenneth Bane gets the offensive rebound | 63-74 |
| 00:00 | Illinois | John Stacy runs out the clock | 63-74 |