| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Michael Barnes (fresh) 4 pts. SG - Robert Howe (fresh) 2 pts. SF - Rick Graham (fresh) 4 pts. 6 reb. PF - Tony Fifer (fresh) 2 pts. C - Scott Campbell (fresh) 7 pts. 2 reb. | |
| Lineup | Syracuse | PG - Samuel Pugh (fresh) 9 pts. 2 ast. SG - Thomas Legge (fresh) 2 ast. SF - Nathan Lambert (fresh) 2 pts. PF - Bryan Wellman (fresh) 10 pts. 4 reb. 2 blk. C - Tom Thacker (fresh) | |
| 20:00 | Syracuse | Nathan Lambert inbounds the ball | 25-30 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a flex offense (slowdown) and a man to man (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Syracuse | Syracuse is playing a flex offense (slowdown) and a 3-2 zone (-5) | |
| 19:41 | Syracuse | Bryan Wellman can't connect on a turnaround from the baseline | 25-30 |
| 19:39 | Syracuse | Tom Thacker grabs the offensive board | 25-30 |
| 19:25 | Syracuse | Bryan Wellman's pass is intercepted by Rick Graham | 25-30 |
| 19:21 | Illinois | Robert Howe misses the dunk | 25-30 |
| 19:19 | Syracuse | Bryan Wellman gets the rebound | 25-30 |
| 18:52 | Syracuse | Michael Barnes takes the ball from Nathan Lambert | 25-30 |
| 18:47 | Illinois | Michael Barnes lays it in | 27-30 |
| 18:23 | Syracuse | Bryan Wellman misses badly on a shot from the left wing but the foul's on Scott Campbell - foul #1 on Scott Campbell, team foul #1 | 27-30 |
| 18:23 | Syracuse | Bryan Wellman misses the 1st free throw | 27-30 |
| 18:23 | Syracuse | Bryan Wellman makes the 2nd free throw | 27-31 |
| 18:01 | Illinois | Rick Graham misses the lay-in but he's hacked by Tom Thacker - foul #2 on Tom Thacker, team foul #1 | 27-31 |
| 18:01 | Illinois | Rick Graham makes the 1st free throw | 28-31 |
| 18:01 | Illinois | Rick Graham makes the 2nd free throw | 29-31 |
| 17:37 | Syracuse | Bryan Wellman misses short on a jumpshot from the right wing | 29-31 |
| 17:36 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Scott Campbell | 29-31 |
| 17:23 | Illinois | Scott Campbell misses badly on a jumper from the right block but he's fouled by Tom Thacker - foul #3 on Tom Thacker, team foul #2 | 29-31 |
| 17:23 | Illinois | Scott Campbell misses the 1st free throw | 29-31 |
| 17:23 | Illinois | Scott Campbell makes the 2nd free throw | 30-31 |
| 17:03 | Syracuse | Michael Barnes steals it from Nathan Lambert | 30-31 |
| 16:42 | Illinois | Michael Barnes comes up short on the floater from the right side | 30-31 |
| 16:41 | Syracuse | Tom Thacker gets the rebound | 30-31 |
| 16:34 | Syracuse | Samuel Pugh can't connect on a 3 from straight away | 30-31 |
| 16:33 | Syracuse | Tom Thacker gets the offensive rebound | 30-31 |
| 16:13 | Syracuse | Nathan Lambert hits the front of the rim on the driving attempt from close range | 30-31 |
| 16:12 | Illinois | Tony Fifer pulls down the rebound | 30-31 |
| 15:57 | Illinois | Rick Graham scores on a floater in the lane set up by Michael Barnes | 32-31 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Michael Barnes (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 1 ast. 3 stl. SG - Robert Howe (fairly fresh) 2 pts. SF - Rick Graham (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 6 reb. 2 stl. PF - Tony Fifer (fairly fresh) 2 pts. C - Scott Campbell (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 3 reb. | |
| Lineup | Syracuse | PG - Samuel Pugh (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 2 ast. SG - Thomas Legge (fairly fresh) 2 ast. SF - Nathan Lambert (fairly fresh) 2 pts. PF - Bryan Wellman (fairly fresh) 11 pts. 5 reb. 2 blk. C - Tom Thacker (fairly fresh) 4 reb. 3 pf. | |
| 15:31 | Syracuse | Tom Thacker clanks a floater from the free throw line | 32-31 |
| 15:30 | Syracuse | Tom Thacker snags the offensive board | 32-31 |
| 15:22 | Syracuse | Thomas Legge misses badly on a pull-up jumper from the right wing but he's fouled by Robert Howe - foul #1 on Robert Howe, team foul #2 | 32-31 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Syracuse | Steve Coleman (PG), Robert Fisher (SF), Thomas Garretson (PF), Willie Leonard (C) Samuel Pugh, Nathan Lambert, Bryan Wellman, Tom Thacker | |
| 15:22 | Syracuse | Thomas Legge makes the 1st free throw | 32-32 |
| 15:22 | Syracuse | Thomas Legge makes the 2nd free throw | 32-33 |
| 14:57 | Illinois | Rick Graham lays it in on a nice dish by Tony Fifer | 34-33 |
| 14:36 | Syracuse | Steve Coleman hits the front of the rim on the 3pt attempt from the left wing | 34-33 |
| 14:35 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Robert Howe | 34-33 |
| 14:08 | Illinois | Rick Graham hits a floater in the paint | 36-33 |
| 13:46 | Syracuse | Steve Coleman makes the 3pt attempt from straight away on a nice dish by Thomas Legge | 36-36 |
| 13:28 | Illinois | Scott Campbell loses the ball out of bounds | 36-36 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Syracuse | Samuel Pugh (PG), Jonathan Slaton (SG), Bryan Wellman (PF), Tom Thacker (C) Steve Coleman, Thomas Legge, Thomas Garretson, Willie Leonard | |
| 13:00 | Syracuse | Scott Campbell is called for the reach on Samuel Pugh - foul #2 on Scott Campbell, team foul #3 | 36-36 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Syracuse | Nathan Lambert (SF) Robert Fisher | |
| 12:38 | Syracuse | Jonathan Slaton misses short on a 3pt jumper from straight away | 36-36 |
| 12:37 | Syracuse | Tom Thacker pulls down the offensive rebound | 36-36 |
| 12:20 | Syracuse | Bryan Wellman can't finish the layup | 36-36 |
| 12:19 | Syracuse | The offensive rebound goes to Tom Thacker | 36-36 |
| 11:59 | Syracuse | Nathan Lambert is hacked by Rick Graham - foul #2 on Rick Graham, team foul #4 | 36-36 |
| Subs | Illinois | William McTarnaghan (PG), Gaston Metcalf (SG), Thomas Matter (PF), James Appleton (C) Michael Barnes, Robert Howe, Tony Fifer, Scott Campbell | |
| Subs | Syracuse | | |
| 11:45 | Syracuse | Jonathan Slaton knocks in the fadeaway jumper from just outside the lane on a great pass from Tom Thacker and the foul's on Rick Graham - foul #3 on Rick Graham, team foul #5 | 36-38 |
| 11:45 | Syracuse | Jonathan Slaton makes the free throw | 36-39 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - William McTarnaghan (fresh) 1 ast. SG - Gaston Metcalf (fresh) 2 pts. SF - Rick Graham (tiring) 12 pts. 6 reb. 2 stl. 3 pf. PF - Thomas Matter (fresh) 2 pts. C - James Appleton (fresh) 2 pts. | |
| Lineup | Syracuse | PG - Samuel Pugh (fresh) 9 pts. 2 ast. SG - Jonathan Slaton (fresh) 3 pts. SF - Nathan Lambert (fresh) 2 pts. PF - Bryan Wellman (fresh) 11 pts. 5 reb. 2 blk. C - Tom Thacker (fresh) 7 reb. 3 pf. | |
| 11:16 | Illinois | Gaston Metcalf connects on the driving attempt from close range and he's fouled by Jonathan Slaton - foul #1 on Jonathan Slaton, team foul #3 | 38-39 |
| Subs | Illinois | Robert Howe (SG) Rick Graham | |
| Subs | Syracuse | Robert Fisher (SF) Nathan Lambert | |
| 11:16 | Illinois | Gaston Metcalf misses the free throw | 38-39 |
| 11:16 | Syracuse | Tom Thacker pulls down the rebound | 38-39 |
| 10:50 | Syracuse | Bryan Wellman knocks in the jumper from the left wing on a nice dish by Jonathan Slaton | 38-41 |
| 10:24 | Illinois | Robert Fisher swats the short shot by James Appleton | 38-41 |
| 10:23 | Syracuse | Samuel Pugh snags the defensive board | 38-41 |
| 10:21 | Syracuse | Samuel Pugh's pass is off the mark and out of bounds in the backcourt | 38-41 |
| Subs | Illinois | Michael Barnes (PG), Tony Fifer (SF), Scott Campbell (C) William McTarnaghan, Robert Howe, James Appleton | |
| Subs | Syracuse | Thomas Legge (SG), Willie Leonard (C) Jonathan Slaton, Tom Thacker | |
| 10:08 | Illinois | Scott Campbell lays it up and in set up by Gaston Metcalf | 40-41 |
| 09:39 | Syracuse | Samuel Pugh knocks in the 3pt jumper from the right corner on a nice dish by Robert Fisher | 40-44 |
| 09:16 | Illinois | Thomas Matter misses the runner in the lane | 40-44 |
| 09:15 | Syracuse | Bryan Wellman snags the defensive board | 40-44 |
| 08:52 | Syracuse | Willie Leonard lays it up and in on a nice dish by Bryan Wellman | 40-46 |
| 08:33 | Illinois | Scott Campbell clanks a driving attempt in the lane | 40-46 |
| 08:31 | Syracuse | Willie Leonard pulls down the rebound | 40-46 |
| 08:11 | Syracuse | Bryan Wellman misses the jumper from the baseline | 40-46 |
| 08:10 | Illinois | Thomas Matter pulls down the rebound | 40-46 |
| 07:49 | Illinois | Gaston Metcalf is hacked by Thomas Legge - foul #2 on Thomas Legge, team foul #4 | 40-46 |
| Subs | Illinois | William McTarnaghan (PG), Robert Howe (SG), Rick Graham (SF) Michael Barnes, Gaston Metcalf, Tony Fifer | |
| Subs | Syracuse | Steve Coleman (PG), Nathan Lambert (SF), Thomas Garretson (PF), Tom Thacker (C) Samuel Pugh, Robert Fisher, Bryan Wellman, Willie Leonard | |
| 07:26 | Illinois | Scott Campbell hits a driving attempt from the right block | 42-46 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - William McTarnaghan (fresh) 1 ast. SG - Robert Howe (fairly fresh) 2 pts. SF - Rick Graham (fairly fresh) 12 pts. 6 reb. 2 stl. 3 pf. PF - Thomas Matter (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. C - Scott Campbell (fairly fresh) 12 pts. 3 reb. | |
| Lineup | Syracuse | PG - Steve Coleman (fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. SG - Thomas Legge (fresh) 2 pts. 3 ast. SF - Nathan Lambert (fresh) 2 pts. PF - Thomas Garretson (fresh) 2 pts. C - Tom Thacker (fresh) 8 reb. 3 pf. | |
| 07:04 | Syracuse | Steve Coleman clanks a 3pt attempt from the left wing | 42-46 |
| 07:02 | Syracuse | Thomas Garretson tips it home | 42-48 |
| 06:39 | Illinois | Thomas Garretson is called for the reach on Thomas Matter - foul #1 on Thomas Garretson, team foul #5 | 42-48 |
| Subs | Illinois | James Appleton (C) Scott Campbell | |
| Subs | Syracuse | Jonathan Slaton (SG) Thomas Legge | |
| 06:20 | Illinois | Thomas Matter lays it in on a great pass from Rick Graham | 44-48 |
| 05:55 | Syracuse | Jonathan Slaton misses long on a 3pt attempt from the right wing | 44-48 |
| 05:54 | Illinois | The rebound goes to James Appleton | 44-48 |
| 05:38 | Illinois | Thomas Matter's pass is intercepted by Jonathan Slaton | 44-48 |
| 05:10 | Syracuse | Thomas Garretson hits the front of the rim on the fadeaway jumper from the left side | 44-48 |
| 05:09 | Syracuse | Tom Thacker gets the offensive rebound | 44-48 |
| 05:09 | Syracuse | Syracuse calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 44-48 |
| Subs | Illinois | Michael Barnes (PG), Tony Fifer (PF), Scott Campbell (C) William McTarnaghan, Thomas Matter, James Appleton | |
| Subs | Syracuse | Samuel Pugh (PG), Thomas Legge (SG), Bryan Wellman (PF) Steve Coleman, Jonathan Slaton, Thomas Garretson | |
| 04:47 | Syracuse | Samuel Pugh misses long on a floater from the free throw line | 44-48 |
| 04:45 | Illinois | Michael Barnes snags the defensive board | 44-48 |
| 04:24 | Illinois | Michael Barnes clanks a jumpshot from the right side | 44-48 |
| 04:23 | Syracuse | The rebound goes to Nathan Lambert | 44-48 |
| 03:54 | Syracuse | Thomas Legge is hacked by Michael Barnes - foul #1 on Michael Barnes, team foul #6 | 44-48 |
| 03:43 | Syracuse | Rick Graham steals it from Tom Thacker | 44-48 |
| 03:39 | Illinois | Tony Fifer can't finish the layup | 44-48 |
| 03:38 | Illinois | Rick Graham gets the offensive rebound | 44-48 |
| 03:22 | Illinois | Scott Campbell clanks a floater in the lane | 44-48 |
| 03:20 | Illinois | Tony Fifer tips it in | 46-48 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Michael Barnes (fresh) 6 pts. 1 ast. 3 stl. SG - Robert Howe (fairly fresh) 2 pts. SF - Rick Graham (fairly fresh) 12 pts. 7 reb. 3 stl. 3 pf. PF - Tony Fifer (fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. C - Scott Campbell (fairly fresh) 12 pts. 3 reb. | |
| Lineup | Syracuse | PG - Samuel Pugh (fresh) 12 pts. 2 ast. SG - Thomas Legge (fresh) 2 pts. 3 ast. SF - Nathan Lambert (fresh) 2 pts. PF - Bryan Wellman (fresh) 13 pts. 6 reb. 2 blk. C - Tom Thacker (fresh) 9 reb. 3 pf. | |
| 03:10 | Syracuse | Tom Thacker scores on a floater from the left side on a great pass from Samuel Pugh | 46-50 |
| 02:43 | Illinois | Michael Barnes comes up short on the fadeaway from the left wing | 46-50 |
| 02:41 | Syracuse | Tom Thacker gets the rebound | 46-50 |
| 02:18 | Syracuse | Thomas Legge is hacked by Scott Campbell - foul #3 on Scott Campbell, team foul #7 | 46-50 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Syracuse | Robert Fisher (SF) Nathan Lambert | |
| 02:18 | Syracuse | Thomas Legge makes the 1st free throw | 46-51 |
| 02:18 | Syracuse | Thomas Legge makes the 2nd free throw | 46-52 |
| 01:58 | Illinois | Robert Fisher is called for the reach on Rick Graham - foul #1 on Robert Fisher, team foul #6 | 46-52 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Syracuse | Nathan Lambert (SF) Robert Fisher | |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a flex offense (slowdown) and a man to man (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Syracuse | Syracuse is playing a flex offense (slowdown) and a 3-2 zone (+1) | |
| 01:39 | Illinois | Rick Graham makes the 3 from straight away on a great pass from Michael Barnes | 49-52 |
| 01:10 | Syracuse | Bryan Wellman throws a bad pass out of bounds | 49-52 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a flex offense (slowdown) and a man to man (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Syracuse | Syracuse is playing a flex offense (slowdown) and a 3-2 zone (-5) | |
| 00:54 | Illinois | Scott Campbell hits the front of the rim on the shot from the right block | 49-52 |
| 00:53 | Syracuse | Tom Thacker snags the defensive board | 49-52 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a flex offense (slowdown) and a man to man (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Syracuse | Syracuse is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 3-2 zone (-5) | |
| 00:27 | Syracuse | Nathan Lambert can't connect on a floater from the free throw line | 49-52 |
| 00:25 | Illinois | Robert Howe snags the defensive board | 49-52 |
| 00:19 | Illinois | Michael Barnes misses badly on a jumper from just outside the lane | 49-52 |
| 00:17 | Syracuse | Nathan Lambert snags the defensive board | 49-52 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a flex offense (slowdown) and intentionally fouling (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Syracuse | Syracuse is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 3-2 zone (-5) | |
| 00:15 | Syracuse | Nathan Lambert is hacked by Michael Barnes in the backcourt - foul #2 on Michael Barnes, team foul #8 | 49-52 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Syracuse | Jonathan Slaton (SG) Thomas Legge | |
| 00:15 | Syracuse | Nathan Lambert makes the 1st free throw | 49-53 |
| 00:15 | Syracuse | Nathan Lambert makes the 2nd free throw | 49-54 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Syracuse | Syracuse is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 3-2 zone (-5) | |
| 00:08 | Illinois | Rick Graham hits the front of the rim on the 3pt attempt from the right corner | 49-54 |
| 00:06 | Syracuse | Samuel Pugh grabs the board | 49-54 |
| 00:03 | Syracuse | Samuel Pugh is hacked by Michael Barnes in the backcourt - foul #3 on Michael Barnes, team foul #9 | 49-54 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Syracuse | Steve Coleman (SF) Nathan Lambert | |
| 00:03 | Syracuse | Samuel Pugh makes the 1st free throw | 49-55 |
| 00:03 | Syracuse | Samuel Pugh misses the 2nd free throw | 49-55 |
| 00:03 | Illinois | Tony Fifer pulls down the rebound | 49-55 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Syracuse | Syracuse is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a 3-2 zone (+1) | |
| 00:00 | Illinois | Tony Fifer can't connect on a halfcourt shot | 49-55 |