| Lineup | Notre Dame | PG - Virgil Dawson (fresh) 5 pts. 1 ast. SG - Rafael Rice (fresh) 8 pts. SF - John Stanfield (fresh) 4 pts. PF - Albert Sotomayor (fresh) 2 pts. C - Jeff Ward (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Reginald Smith (fresh) 5 pts. SG - Donald Melville (fresh) 1 pts. 1 ast. SF - Lawrence Bell (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. PF - Lewis Whitley (fresh) 3 pts. 3 reb. C - Frank Harn (fresh) 5 pts. 2 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Notre Dame | John Stanfield inbounds the ball | 30-16 |
| Game Plan | Notre Dame | Notre Dame is playing a flex offense and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a triangle offense (slowdown) and a man to man (+2) | |
| 19:50 | Notre Dame | John Stanfield can't connect on a pull-up jumper from the left side but the foul's on Lewis Whitley - foul #1 on Lewis Whitley, team foul #1 | 30-16 |
| Subs | Notre Dame | Kevin Wiles (PG), Stefan Losh (SF) Virgil Dawson, Rafael Rice | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Rocky Esposito (SG), Marshall Bleau (SF), Calvin Saldana (PF), Jeffrey Boykins (C) Reginald Smith, Lawrence Bell, Lewis Whitley, Frank Harn | |
| 19:50 | Notre Dame | John Stanfield makes the 1st free throw | 31-16 |
| 19:50 | Notre Dame | John Stanfield makes the 2nd free throw | 32-16 |
| 19:26 | Michigan State | Jeffrey Boykins loses the dribble to Albert Sotomayor | 32-16 |
| 19:10 | Notre Dame | Kevin Wiles throws a bad pass out of bounds | 32-16 |
| Subs | Notre Dame | Virgil Dawson (PG), Rafael Rice (SG), Darrell Ryals (C) Kevin Wiles, Stefan Losh, Jeff Ward | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Reginald Smith (PG), Lewis Whitley (PF), Frank Harn (C) Rocky Esposito, Calvin Saldana, Jeffrey Boykins | |
| 18:41 | Michigan State | Albert Sotomayor is called for the reach on Lewis Whitley - foul #2 on Albert Sotomayor, team foul #1 | 32-16 |
| Subs | Notre Dame | Jeff Ward (C) Darrell Ryals | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Rocky Esposito (SG), Lawrence Bell (SF) Donald Melville, Marshall Bleau | |
| 18:23 | Michigan State | Reginald Smith is fouled on the floor by Albert Sotomayor as he's doubleteamed - foul #3 on Albert Sotomayor, team foul #2 | 32-16 |
| Subs | Notre Dame | Stefan Losh (SF), Darrell Ryals (PF) John Stanfield, Albert Sotomayor | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Donald Melville (SG), Calvin Saldana (PF) Rocky Esposito, Lewis Whitley | |
| 18:06 | Michigan State | Reginald Smith buries a 3pt shot from the left corner on a nice dish by Frank Harn | 32-19 |
| 17:45 | Notre Dame | Stefan Losh hits the front of the rim on the 3pt attempt from the right corner | 32-19 |
| 17:44 | Michigan State | Frank Harn grabs the board | 32-19 |
| 17:34 | Michigan State | Reginald Smith misses the 3 pointer from the right wing | 32-19 |
| 17:32 | Michigan State | Calvin Saldana tips it home | 32-21 |
| 17:10 | Notre Dame | Rafael Rice double dribbles | 32-21 |
| Subs | Notre Dame | Kevin Wiles (PG), John Stanfield (SF) Virgil Dawson, Stefan Losh | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Rocky Esposito (SG), Marshall Bleau (SF), Lewis Whitley (PF), Jeffrey Boykins (C) Donald Melville, Lawrence Bell, Calvin Saldana, Frank Harn | |
| 16:45 | Michigan State | John Stanfield steals it from Reginald Smith | 32-21 |
| 16:41 | Notre Dame | Rafael Rice jams it on a great pass from John Stanfield | 34-21 |
| 16:33 | Michigan State | Reginald Smith makes the turnaround from close range | 34-23 |
| 16:22 | Notre Dame | Rafael Rice misses the jumper from the right side | 34-23 |
| 16:21 | Notre Dame | Darrell Ryals hits the follow up shot | 36-23 |
| 16:16 | Michigan State | Reginald Smith shoots over the doubleteam and knocks in the fadeaway from just outside the lane on a great pass from Lewis Whitley | 36-25 |
| 16:00 | Notre Dame | Darrell Ryals can't connect on a shot from the right wing | 36-25 |
| 15:59 | Michigan State | Reginald Smith gets the rebound | 36-25 |
| Lineup | Notre Dame | PG - Kevin Wiles (fresh) SG - Rafael Rice (fresh) 10 pts. SF - John Stanfield (fresh) 6 pts. PF - Darrell Ryals (fresh) 5 pts. 5 reb. C - Jeff Ward (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Reginald Smith (fresh) 12 pts. SG - Rocky Esposito (fresh) SF - Marshall Bleau (fresh) PF - Lewis Whitley (fresh) 3 pts. 3 reb. C - Jeffrey Boykins (fresh) | |
| 15:38 | Michigan State | Lewis Whitley hits the front of the rim on the pull-up jumper from the left side | 36-25 |
| 15:37 | Michigan State | Lewis Whitley tips it back up and in | 36-27 |
| 15:15 | Notre Dame | Rafael Rice misses long on a 3pt shot from the left wing | 36-27 |
| 15:14 | Michigan State | Jeffrey Boykins grabs the defensive rebound | 36-27 |
| 14:54 | Michigan State | Reginald Smith splits the doubleteam but misses short on a jumper from the right side | 36-27 |
| 14:52 | Notre Dame | Kevin Wiles pulls down the rebound | 36-27 |
| 14:37 | Notre Dame | John Stanfield hits the front of the rim on the 3pt shot from the right corner | 36-27 |
| 14:35 | Michigan State | Lewis Whitley snags the defensive board | 36-27 |
| 14:16 | Michigan State | Reginald Smith is bothered by a doubleteam and misses badly on a 3 from straight away | 36-27 |
| 14:15 | Michigan State | Marshall Bleau grabs the offensive rebound | 36-27 |
| 13:59 | Michigan State | Jeff Ward steps in front of the Rocky Esposito pass | 36-27 |
| 13:46 | Notre Dame | Jeff Ward misses badly on a fadeaway in the paint | 36-27 |
| 13:44 | Notre Dame | Jeff Ward tips it home | 38-27 |
| 13:25 | Michigan State | Reginald Smith is hacked by Darrell Ryals - foul #3 on Darrell Ryals, team foul #3 | 38-27 |
| Subs | Notre Dame | Virgil Dawson (PG), Harvey Gray (SG), Stefan Losh (SF), Albert Sotomayor (PF) Kevin Wiles, Rafael Rice, John Stanfield, Jeff Ward | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Donald Melville (SG), Lawrence Bell (SF), Calvin Saldana (PF), Frank Harn (C) Rocky Esposito, Marshall Bleau, Lewis Whitley, Jeffrey Boykins | |
| 13:05 | Michigan State | Frank Harn loses the ball out of bounds | 38-27 |
| 12:54 | Notre Dame | Harvey Gray hits the front of the rim on the shot from the right wing | 38-27 |
| 12:53 | Michigan State | Frank Harn grabs the defensive rebound | 38-27 |
| 12:38 | Michigan State | Reginald Smith knocks in the floater from just outside the lane on a great pass from Donald Melville | 38-29 |
| 12:18 | Notre Dame | Harvey Gray loses the ball out of bounds | 38-29 |
| Subs | Notre Dame | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Rocky Esposito (SG), Lewis Whitley (PF) Reginald Smith, Calvin Saldana | |
| 11:58 | Michigan State | Virgil Dawson picks off the pass by Rocky Esposito | 38-29 |
| Lineup | Notre Dame | PG - Virgil Dawson (fresh) 5 pts. 1 ast. 2 stl. SG - Harvey Gray (fresh) 6 pts. 3 pf. SF - Stefan Losh (fresh) 2 reb. PF - Albert Sotomayor (fresh) 2 pts. 3 pf. C - Darrell Ryals (tiring) 5 pts. 5 reb. 3 pf. | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Donald Melville (fresh) 1 pts. 2 ast. SG - Rocky Esposito (fresh) SF - Lawrence Bell (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. PF - Lewis Whitley (fresh) 5 pts. 5 reb. C - Frank Harn (fresh) 5 pts. 4 reb. | |
| 11:45 | Notre Dame | Harvey Gray comes up short on the 3pt attempt from the left wing | 38-29 |
| 11:44 | Michigan State | Frank Harn snags the defensive board | 38-29 |
| 11:23 | Michigan State | Frank Harn is fouled on the floor by Albert Sotomayor - foul #4 on Albert Sotomayor, team foul #4 | 38-29 |
| Subs | Notre Dame | Jeff Ward (C) Albert Sotomayor | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Reginald Smith (PG), Calvin Saldana (PF) Rocky Esposito, Lewis Whitley | |
| 10:57 | Michigan State | Reginald Smith connects on the 3 from straight away on a great pass from Donald Melville | 38-32 |
| 10:36 | Notre Dame | Virgil Dawson can't connect on a 3pt jumper from the right wing | 38-32 |
| 10:35 | Notre Dame | Stefan Losh hits the follow up shot | 40-32 |
| 10:15 | Michigan State | Frank Harn misses short on a driving attempt from the left block but he's fouled by Darrell Ryals - foul #4 on Darrell Ryals, team foul #5 | 40-32 |
| Subs | Notre Dame | John Stanfield (SF), Cecil Wright (PF) Stefan Losh, Darrell Ryals | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Lewis Whitley (PF) Calvin Saldana | |
| 10:15 | Michigan State | Frank Harn makes the 1st free throw | 40-33 |
| 10:15 | Michigan State | Frank Harn makes the 2nd free throw | 40-34 |
| 09:49 | Notre Dame | Harvey Gray misses long on a 3 from the right corner | 40-34 |
| 09:48 | Notre Dame | Virgil Dawson hits the follow up shot | 42-34 |
| 09:28 | Michigan State | Frank Harn drills a shot from the right block set up by Lawrence Bell | 42-36 |
| 09:15 | Notre Dame | Virgil Dawson throws a bad pass out of bounds | 42-36 |
| Subs | Notre Dame | Stefan Losh (SF) John Stanfield | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Rocky Esposito (SG), Marshall Bleau (SF) Reginald Smith, Lawrence Bell | |
| 08:55 | Michigan State | Frank Harn hits the front of the rim on the jumper in the paint | 42-36 |
| 08:53 | Notre Dame | Virgil Dawson snags the defensive board | 42-36 |
| 08:46 | Notre Dame | Stefan Losh is hacked by Frank Harn - foul #2 on Frank Harn, team foul #2 | 42-36 |
| Subs | Notre Dame | Rafael Rice (SG), John Stanfield (SF), Thomas Williams (C) Virgil Dawson, Stefan Losh, Jeff Ward | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Reginald Smith (PG) Donald Melville | |
| 08:26 | Notre Dame | Harvey Gray is fouled on the floor by Reginald Smith - foul #2 on Reginald Smith, team foul #3 | 42-36 |
| Subs | Notre Dame | Virgil Dawson (PG), Stefan Losh (SF), Jeff Ward (C) Rafael Rice, John Stanfield, Thomas Williams | |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| 08:14 | Notre Dame | Stefan Losh's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 42-36 |
| Subs | Notre Dame | Rafael Rice (SG), John Stanfield (SF) Virgil Dawson, Stefan Losh | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Lawrence Bell (SF) Marshall Bleau | |
| 07:55 | Michigan State | Frank Harn blows the layup but he's fouled by Jeff Ward - foul #2 on Jeff Ward, team foul #6 | 42-36 |
| Subs | Notre Dame | Virgil Dawson (PG), Stefan Losh (SF), Albert Sotomayor (PF), Darrell Ryals (C) Rafael Rice, John Stanfield, Cecil Wright, Jeff Ward | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Donald Melville (SG), Marshall Bleau (SF), Calvin Saldana (PF) Rocky Esposito, Lawrence Bell, Lewis Whitley | |
| 07:55 | Michigan State | Frank Harn makes the 1st free throw | 42-37 |
| 07:55 | Michigan State | Frank Harn makes the 2nd free throw | 42-38 |
| Lineup | Notre Dame | PG - Virgil Dawson (fairly fresh) 7 pts. 1 ast. 2 stl. SG - Harvey Gray (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 3 pf. SF - Stefan Losh (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. PF - Albert Sotomayor (fresh) 2 pts. 4 pf. C - Darrell Ryals (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 5 reb. 4 pf. | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Reginald Smith (fairly fresh) 17 pts. SG - Donald Melville (fresh) 1 pts. 3 ast. SF - Marshall Bleau (fresh) 2 reb. PF - Calvin Saldana (fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. C - Frank Harn (fairly fresh) 11 pts. 5 reb. | |
| 07:38 | Notre Dame | Stefan Losh drills a jumper from the baseline and he's hacked by Donald Melville - foul #2 on Donald Melville, team foul #4 | 44-38 |
| Subs | Notre Dame | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Rocky Esposito (SG), Lawrence Bell (SF), Lewis Whitley (PF) Reginald Smith, Marshall Bleau, Calvin Saldana | |
| 07:38 | Notre Dame | Stefan Losh makes the free throw | 45-38 |
| 07:22 | Michigan State | Lewis Whitley misses long on a turnaround in the lane but the foul's on Albert Sotomayor - foul #5 on Albert Sotomayor, team foul #7 | 45-38 |
| Subs | Notre Dame | Rafael Rice (SG), John Stanfield (SF), Cecil Wright (C) Virgil Dawson, Stefan Losh, Albert Sotomayor | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Reginald Smith (PG), Marshall Bleau (SF) Rocky Esposito, Lawrence Bell | |
| 07:22 | Michigan State | Lewis Whitley makes the 1st free throw | 45-39 |
| 07:22 | Michigan State | Lewis Whitley misses the 2nd free throw | 45-39 |
| 07:22 | Notre Dame | Darrell Ryals gets the rebound | 45-39 |
| 07:08 | Notre Dame | Marshall Bleau swats the short shot by John Stanfield | 45-39 |
| 07:07 | Notre Dame | John Stanfield tips it home | 47-39 |
| 06:54 | Michigan State | Darrell Ryals steals the ball from Donald Melville | 47-39 |
| 06:35 | Notre Dame | Harvey Gray double dribbles | 47-39 |
| Subs | Notre Dame | Virgil Dawson (PG), Stefan Losh (SF), Jeff Ward (C) Rafael Rice, John Stanfield, Cecil Wright | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Rocky Esposito (SG), Lawrence Bell (SF), Calvin Saldana (PF) Donald Melville, Marshall Bleau, Lewis Whitley | |
| 06:07 | Michigan State | Calvin Saldana hits a jumper from the right block and he's hacked by Darrell Ryals - foul #5 on Darrell Ryals, team foul #8 | 47-41 |
| Subs | Notre Dame | John Stanfield (SF), Cecil Wright (PF) Stefan Losh, Darrell Ryals | |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| 06:07 | Michigan State | Calvin Saldana misses the free throw | 47-41 |
| 06:07 | Notre Dame | Cecil Wright snags the defensive board | 47-41 |
| 06:00 | Notre Dame | Virgil Dawson misses badly on a 3pt jumper from the left wing | 47-41 |
| 05:59 | Michigan State | Lawrence Bell grabs the defensive rebound | 47-41 |
| 05:37 | Michigan State | Rocky Esposito knocks in the 3pt jumper from the left wing set up by Lawrence Bell | 47-44 |
| 05:19 | Notre Dame | Harvey Gray clanks a 3pt attempt from the right wing | 47-44 |
| 05:18 | Michigan State | Frank Harn grabs the board | 47-44 |
| 04:54 | Michigan State | Frank Harn throws it down despite the doubleteam on a great pass from Lawrence Bell | 47-46 |
| 04:47 | Notre Dame | Harvey Gray misses badly on a 3pt shot from the left wing | 47-46 |
| 04:45 | Michigan State | Lawrence Bell snags the defensive board | 47-46 |
| 04:41 | Michigan State | Rocky Esposito loses the dribble to Harvey Gray | 47-46 |
| 04:18 | Notre Dame | Jeff Ward is hacked by Frank Harn - foul #3 on Frank Harn, team foul #5 | 47-46 |
| Subs | Notre Dame | Rafael Rice (SG), Stefan Losh (SF) Virgil Dawson, John Stanfield | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Donald Melville (SG), Marshall Bleau (SF), Lewis Whitley (PF), Jeffrey Boykins (C) Rocky Esposito, Lawrence Bell, Calvin Saldana, Frank Harn | |
| 03:58 | Notre Dame | Harvey Gray knocks in the 3 pointer from the right wing on a nice dish by Stefan Losh | 50-46 |
| 03:33 | Michigan State | Reginald Smith shoots over the doubleteam but comes up short on the turnaround from the right block | 50-46 |
| 03:31 | Michigan State | The offensive rebound goes to Jeffrey Boykins | 50-46 |
| Lineup | Notre Dame | PG - Harvey Gray (tiring) 9 pts. 3 pf. SG - Rafael Rice (fresh) 10 pts. SF - Stefan Losh (fresh) 5 pts. 3 reb. PF - Cecil Wright (fairly fresh) 2 reb. C - Jeff Ward (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Reginald Smith (tiring) 17 pts. SG - Donald Melville (fresh) 1 pts. 3 ast. SF - Marshall Bleau (fresh) 2 reb. PF - Lewis Whitley (fresh) 6 pts. 5 reb. C - Jeffrey Boykins (fresh) 3 reb. | |
| 03:14 | Michigan State | Jeffrey Boykins hits a wide open jumper from the right block set up by Donald Melville | 50-48 |
| 03:00 | Notre Dame | Stefan Losh can't connect on a jump hook from the baseline | 50-48 |
| 02:59 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to Lewis Whitley | 50-48 |
| 02:30 | Michigan State | Donald Melville's fadeaway is rejected by Jeff Ward | 50-48 |
| 02:28 | Notre Dame | Stefan Losh pulls down the rebound | 50-48 |
| 02:01 | Notre Dame | Rafael Rice misses long on a jump hook from close range | 50-48 |
| 02:00 | Notre Dame | Cecil Wright grabs the offensive board | 50-48 |
| 02:00 | Notre Dame | Notre Dame calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 50-48 |
| Subs | Notre Dame | Virgil Dawson (PG), John Stanfield (SF) Rafael Rice, Stefan Losh | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Lawrence Bell (SF), Frank Harn (C) Marshall Bleau, Jeffrey Boykins | |
| 01:43 | Notre Dame | Virgil Dawson scores on a shot from just outside the lane set up by Harvey Gray | 52-48 |
| 01:19 | Michigan State | Lewis Whitley misses long on a fadeaway jumper from the left wing | 52-48 |
| 01:17 | Notre Dame | The rebound goes to Jeff Ward | 52-48 |
| 01:10 | Notre Dame | John Stanfield buries a fadeaway jumper from the left side set up by Harvey Gray | 54-48 |
| 00:41 | Michigan State | Harvey Gray is called for the reach on Lawrence Bell - foul #4 on Harvey Gray, team foul #9 | 54-48 |
| 00:41 | Michigan State | Lawrence Bell makes the 1st free throw | 54-49 |
| 00:41 | Michigan State | Lawrence Bell misses the 2nd free throw | 54-49 |
| 00:41 | Notre Dame | Jeff Ward pulls down the rebound | 54-49 |
| Game Plan | Notre Dame | Notre Dame is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a triangle offense (slowdown) and intentionally fouling (+2) | |
| 00:40 | Notre Dame | Jeff Ward is hacked by Reginald Smith in the backcourt - foul #3 on Reginald Smith, team foul #6 | 54-49 |
| Subs | Notre Dame | Stefan Losh (SF) John Stanfield | |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| 00:38 | Notre Dame | Lewis Whitley is called for the reach on Virgil Dawson - foul #2 on Lewis Whitley, team foul #7 | 54-49 |
| 00:38 | Notre Dame | Virgil Dawson misses the 1st free throw | 54-49 |
| 00:38 | Michigan State | Frank Harn grabs the board | 54-49 |
| Game Plan | Notre Dame | Notre Dame is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a man to man (-1) | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (+2) | |
| 00:30 | Michigan State | Lewis Whitley misses long on a runner from the right block but he's fouled by Cecil Wright - foul #1 on Cecil Wright, team foul #10 | 54-49 |
| Subs | Notre Dame | John Stanfield (SF) Stefan Losh | |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| 00:30 | Michigan State | Lewis Whitley makes the 1st free throw | 54-50 |
| 00:30 | Michigan State | Lewis Whitley misses the 2nd free throw | 54-50 |
| 00:30 | Notre Dame | Jeff Ward snags the defensive board | 54-50 |
| 00:29 | Notre Dame | Reginald Smith is called for the reach on Jeff Ward in the backcourt - foul #4 on Reginald Smith, team foul #8 | 54-50 |
| Subs | Notre Dame | Thomas Williams (PF) Cecil Wright | |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| 00:29 | Notre Dame | Jeff Ward misses the 1st free throw | 54-50 |
| 00:29 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to Lewis Whitley | 54-50 |
| 00:24 | Michigan State | Reginald Smith misses long on a 3pt jumper from the left corner | 54-50 |
| 00:22 | Michigan State | The offensive rebound goes to Frank Harn | 54-50 |
| 00:19 | Michigan State | Reginald Smith hits the front of the rim on the 3 from straight away | 54-50 |
| 00:17 | Michigan State | Lawrence Bell gets the offensive rebound | 54-50 |
| 00:14 | Michigan State | Reginald Smith can't connect on a 3pt attempt from the right wing | 54-50 |
| 00:13 | Notre Dame | Harvey Gray gets the rebound | 54-50 |
| 00:11 | Notre Dame | Reginald Smith is called for the reach on Harvey Gray in the backcourt - foul #5 on Reginald Smith, team foul #9 | 54-50 |
| Subs | Notre Dame | | |
| Subs | Michigan State | Rocky Esposito (SG) Reginald Smith | |
| 00:11 | Notre Dame | Harvey Gray makes the 1st free throw | 55-50 |
| 00:11 | Notre Dame | Harvey Gray makes the 2nd free throw | 56-50 |
| 00:06 | Michigan State | Rocky Esposito comes up short on the 3pt attempt from the right wing | 56-50 |
| 00:04 | Michigan State | Frank Harn grabs the offensive board | 56-50 |
| 00:00 | Michigan State | Rocky Esposito connects on the 3 from straight away | 56-53 |