| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Derek Whatley (fresh) 6 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SG - Ernest Nix (fresh) 9 pts. 2 ast. SF - Vincent Hadley (fresh) 8 pts. 5 reb. 2 stl. PF - Richard Baker (fresh) 4 pts. 4 reb. C - Willie Howard (fresh) 4 pts. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Ronald Reid (fresh) 7 pts. 3 ast. SG - Jason Spitsberg (fresh) 4 pts. 1 ast. SF - Dan Michaels (fresh) 7 pts. 2 reb. PF - Johnny Audet (fresh) 6 pts. 4 reb. C - John Vance (fresh) 2 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Northwestern | Dan Michaels inbounds the ball | 40-36 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense and a man to man (0) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| 19:37 | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg is whistled for a carry | 40-36 |
| 19:21 | Illinois | The jumper by Willie Howard is denied by Dan Michaels | 40-36 |
| 19:20 | Illinois | Ernest Nix tips it in | 42-36 |
| 19:09 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid hits the front of the rim on the 3pt shot from straight away | 42-36 |
| 19:07 | Illinois | Ernest Nix grabs the defensive rebound | 42-36 |
| 18:54 | Illinois | Derek Whatley misses long on a 3pt attempt from the left corner | 42-36 |
| 18:53 | Illinois | Ernest Nix hits the follow up shot | 44-36 |
| 18:37 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid double dribbles | 44-36 |
| Subs | Illinois | Jim Boyarski (SF) Vincent Hadley | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Carlton Austin (PG), Donald Justice (SF), James Gaylord (PF), John Patterson (C) Ronald Reid, Dan Michaels, Johnny Audet, John Vance | |
| 18:17 | Illinois | Ernest Nix is by himself and knocks in the pull-up jumper from the right side on a nice dish by Derek Whatley | 46-36 |
| 18:13 | Northwestern | Carlton Austin is hacked by Derek Whatley in the backcourt - foul #2 on Derek Whatley, team foul #1 | 46-36 |
| Subs | Illinois | Steve Merida (SG), Robert Henderson (SF), Frank Mannino (PF), Anthony Kaya (C) Derek Whatley, Ernest Nix, Richard Baker, Willie Howard | |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Gideon (SG) Jason Spitsberg | |
| 17:51 | Northwestern | Donald Justice scores on a fadeaway jumper from the left wing on a great pass from Carlton Austin | 46-38 |
| 17:35 | Illinois | Robert Henderson comes up short on the shot from the right wing but he's hacked by Donald Justice - foul #2 on Donald Justice, team foul #1 | 46-38 |
| Subs | Illinois | Vincent Hadley (SF) Steve Merida | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Ronald Reid (PG), Johnny Audet (PF) John Gideon, Donald Justice | |
| 17:35 | Illinois | Robert Henderson makes the 1st free throw | 47-38 |
| 17:35 | Illinois | Robert Henderson makes the 2nd free throw | 48-38 |
| 17:33 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid is hacked by Robert Henderson in the backcourt - foul #2 on Robert Henderson, team foul #2 | 48-38 |
| Subs | Illinois | Steve Merida (SG) Robert Henderson | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 17:28 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid hits the front of the rim on the 3pt jumper from the right corner | 48-38 |
| 17:27 | Illinois | Vincent Hadley snags the defensive board | 48-38 |
| 17:13 | Illinois | Anthony Kaya's floater is tipped away by John Patterson | 48-38 |
| 17:12 | Illinois | Frank Mannino grabs the offensive rebound | 48-38 |
| 17:04 | Illinois | Steve Merida misses badly on a floater from the left wing | 48-38 |
| 17:02 | Northwestern | Johnny Audet snags the defensive board | 48-38 |
| 16:58 | Northwestern | James Gaylord can't connect on a jumper from just outside the lane | 48-38 |
| 16:57 | Illinois | Frank Mannino grabs the board | 48-38 |
| 16:55 | Illinois | Jim Boyarski throws a bad pass out of bounds in the backcourt | 48-38 |
| Subs | Illinois | William Merritt (SG), Richard Baker (PF), Willie Howard (C) Jim Boyarski, Frank Mannino, Anthony Kaya | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg (SG), Dan Michaels (SF), John Vance (C) Carlton Austin, James Gaylord, John Patterson | |
| 16:44 | Northwestern | Vincent Hadley swats the short shot by Jason Spitsberg | 48-38 |
| 16:42 | Illinois | Steve Merida snags the defensive board | 48-38 |
| 16:37 | Illinois | Steve Merida makes the 3pt shot from straight away on a nice dish by William Merritt | 51-38 |
| 16:20 | Northwestern | Dan Michaels knocks in the 3 from straight away | 51-41 |
| 16:12 | Illinois | Vincent Hadley misses badly on a 3 pointer from the left wing | 51-41 |
| 16:11 | Northwestern | John Vance grabs the board | 51-41 |
| 15:56 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid buries a 3 pointer from the left corner on a nice dish by Johnny Audet | 51-44 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Steve Merida (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 3 reb. SG - William Merritt (fresh) 2 pts. SF - Vincent Hadley (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 6 reb. 2 blk. 2 stl. PF - Richard Baker (fresh) 4 pts. 4 reb. C - Willie Howard (fresh) 4 pts. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Ronald Reid (fairly fresh) 10 pts. 3 ast. SG - Jason Spitsberg (fresh) 4 pts. 1 ast. SF - Dan Michaels (fairly fresh) 10 pts. 2 reb. 2 blk. PF - Johnny Audet (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 5 reb. C - John Vance (fairly fresh) 3 reb. | |
| 15:44 | Illinois | Richard Baker is by himself and knocks in the shot near the basket | 53-44 |
| 15:37 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid clanks a 3pt attempt from the right wing | 53-44 |
| 15:35 | Northwestern | Johnny Audet tips it in | 53-46 |
| 15:18 | Illinois | Vincent Hadley is fouled on the floor by Jason Spitsberg - foul #3 on Jason Spitsberg, team foul #2 | 53-46 |
| Subs | Illinois | Derek Whatley (PG), Ernest Nix (SG), Robert Henderson (SF), Frank Mannino (PF), Anthony Kaya (C) Steve Merida, William Merritt, Vincent Hadley, Richard Baker, Willie Howard | |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Gideon (PG), Donald Justice (SF), Warner Henderson (PF), Thomas Johnson (C) Ronald Reid, Dan Michaels, Johnny Audet, John Vance | |
| 15:08 | Illinois | Robert Henderson knocks in the jumper from the left wing set up by Anthony Kaya | 55-46 |
| 15:04 | Northwestern | John Gideon clanks a pull-up jumper from the right side but he's hacked by Robert Henderson - foul #3 on Robert Henderson, team foul #3 | 55-46 |
| Subs | Illinois | Jim Boyarski (SF) Robert Henderson | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Carlton Austin (SG), James Gaylord (PF) Jason Spitsberg, Warner Henderson | |
| 15:04 | Northwestern | John Gideon makes the 1st free throw | 55-47 |
| 15:04 | Northwestern | John Gideon makes the 2nd free throw | 55-48 |
| 14:47 | Illinois | Frank Mannino misses the floater from the right side | 55-48 |
| 14:45 | Northwestern | Thomas Johnson pulls down the rebound | 55-48 |
| 14:41 | Northwestern | Carlton Austin misses long on a fadeaway jumper from the right wing but he's hacked by Derek Whatley - foul #3 on Derek Whatley, team foul #4 | 55-48 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Patterson (C) Thomas Johnson | |
| 14:41 | Northwestern | Carlton Austin makes the 1st free throw | 55-49 |
| 14:41 | Northwestern | Carlton Austin makes the 2nd free throw | 55-50 |
| 14:17 | Illinois | Ernest Nix scores on a 3pt jumper from straight away | 58-50 |
| 14:13 | Northwestern | John Gideon can't connect on a 3pt attempt from the left corner | 58-50 |
| 14:11 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Frank Mannino | 58-50 |
| 14:00 | Illinois | Frank Mannino connects on the fadeaway from the free throw line set up by Jim Boyarski | 60-50 |
| 13:36 | Northwestern | Donald Justice's pass is intercepted by Derek Whatley | 60-50 |
| 13:34 | Illinois | Derek Whatley's pass is off the mark and out of bounds in the backcourt | 60-50 |
| Subs | Illinois | Robert Henderson (SF), Richard Baker (PF), Willie Howard (C) Jim Boyarski, Frank Mannino, Anthony Kaya | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Ronald Reid (PG), Jason Spitsberg (SG), Dan Michaels (SF), Warner Henderson (PF), Thomas Johnson (C) Carlton Austin, John Gideon, Donald Justice, James Gaylord, John Patterson | |
| 13:23 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid misses badly on a floater from the right side | 60-50 |
| 13:22 | Northwestern | The offensive rebound goes to Thomas Johnson | 60-50 |
| 13:05 | Northwestern | Richard Baker picks off the pass by Dan Michaels | 60-50 |
| 12:57 | Illinois | Thomas Johnson is called for the reach on Willie Howard - foul #2 on Thomas Johnson, team foul #3 | 60-50 |
| Subs | Illinois | William Merritt (SG) Ernest Nix | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Johnny Audet (PF) Dan Michaels | |
| 12:37 | Illinois | Ronald Reid takes the ball from Robert Henderson | 60-50 |
| 12:34 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid lays it up and in | 60-52 |
| 12:07 | Illinois | William Merritt drills a turnaround in the lane and the foul's on Jason Spitsberg - foul #4 on Jason Spitsberg, team foul #4 | 62-52 |
| Subs | Illinois | Steve Merida (PG), Vincent Hadley (SF), Lloyd Norwood (PF) Derek Whatley, Robert Henderson, Richard Baker | |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Gideon (SG), Dan Michaels (SF), John Vance (C) Jason Spitsberg, Warner Henderson, Thomas Johnson | |
| 12:07 | Illinois | William Merritt makes the free throw | 63-52 |
| 11:48 | Northwestern | Dan Michaels misses short on a 3pt attempt from straight away | 63-52 |
| 11:46 | Illinois | Willie Howard grabs the board | 63-52 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Steve Merida (fresh) 3 pts. 3 reb. SG - William Merritt (fairly fresh) 5 pts. SF - Vincent Hadley (fresh) 8 pts. 6 reb. 2 blk. 2 stl. PF - Lloyd Norwood (fresh) C - Willie Howard (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 2 reb. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Ronald Reid (fairly fresh) 12 pts. 3 ast. 2 stl. SG - John Gideon (fresh) 7 pts. SF - Dan Michaels (fairly fresh) 10 pts. 2 reb. 2 blk. PF - Johnny Audet (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 6 reb. C - John Vance (fresh) 3 reb. | |
| 11:41 | Illinois | The jump hook by Steve Merida is blocked by Johnny Audet | 63-52 |
| 11:40 | Northwestern | John Vance gets the rebound | 63-52 |
| 11:35 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid misses badly on a 3 from the right wing | 63-52 |
| 11:34 | Illinois | Willie Howard gets the rebound | 63-52 |
| 11:20 | Illinois | William Merritt misses badly on a 3 pointer from straight away | 63-52 |
| 11:18 | Northwestern | Johnny Audet gets the rebound | 63-52 |
| 11:00 | Northwestern | John Vance is hacked by Vincent Hadley - foul #1 on Vincent Hadley, team foul #5 | 63-52 |
| Subs | Illinois | Jim Boyarski (PG), Robert Henderson (SF), Anthony Kaya (PF) William Merritt, Vincent Hadley, Willie Howard | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Carlton Austin (PG), Donald Justice (SF), James Gaylord (PF), John Patterson (C) Ronald Reid, Dan Michaels, Johnny Audet, John Vance | |
| 10:47 | Northwestern | Donald Justice misses badly on a 3 from straight away | 63-52 |
| 10:45 | Illinois | Lloyd Norwood grabs the board | 63-52 |
| 10:39 | Illinois | Jim Boyarski misses long on a 3pt attempt from straight away | 63-52 |
| 10:37 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Carlton Austin | 63-52 |
| 10:33 | Northwestern | Carlton Austin misses long on a pull-up jumper from the left side | 63-52 |
| 10:32 | Northwestern | Donald Justice snags the offensive board | 63-52 |
| 10:16 | Northwestern | Carlton Austin is fouled on the floor by Jim Boyarski - foul #1 on Jim Boyarski, team foul #6 | 63-52 |
| Subs | Illinois | Ernest Nix (SG), Richard Baker (PF), Frank Mannino (C) Steve Merida, Anthony Kaya, Lloyd Norwood | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Warner Henderson (PF) John Gideon | |
| 10:03 | Northwestern | The jump hook by James Gaylord is blocked by Richard Baker | 63-52 |
| 10:01 | Northwestern | The offensive rebound goes to John Patterson | 63-52 |
| 09:44 | Northwestern | John Patterson misses badly on a fadeaway from close range | 63-52 |
| 09:43 | Illinois | Richard Baker gets the rebound | 63-52 |
| 09:40 | Illinois | Ernest Nix's pass is intercepted by Donald Justice in the backcourt | 63-52 |
| 09:39 | Northwestern | James Gaylord misses the easy layup | 63-52 |
| 09:37 | Illinois | Richard Baker snags the defensive board | 63-52 |
| 09:09 | Illinois | Ernest Nix makes the 3pt attempt from the left wing on a great pass from Jim Boyarski | 66-52 |
| 08:49 | Northwestern | John Patterson comes up short on the fadeaway from the left block | 66-52 |
| 08:47 | Northwestern | Warner Henderson tips it in | 66-54 |
| 08:30 | Illinois | Robert Henderson clanks a turnaround from the right block but he's hacked by Warner Henderson - foul #1 on Warner Henderson, team foul #5 | 66-54 |
| Subs | Illinois | Derek Whatley (PG), Steve Merida (SG), Anthony Kaya (PF), Willie Howard (C) Jim Boyarski, Ernest Nix, Richard Baker, Frank Mannino | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Ronald Reid (PG), John Gideon (SG), Dan Michaels (SF), Johnny Audet (PF), John Vance (C) Carlton Austin, Donald Justice, James Gaylord, Warner Henderson, John Patterson | |
| 08:30 | Illinois | Robert Henderson makes the 1st free throw | 67-54 |
| 08:30 | Illinois | Robert Henderson misses the 2nd free throw | 67-54 |
| 08:30 | Northwestern | Johnny Audet gets the rebound | 67-54 |
| 08:14 | Northwestern | Johnny Audet blows the layup | 67-54 |
| 08:13 | Illinois | Anthony Kaya grabs the defensive rebound | 67-54 |
| 08:02 | Illinois | Robert Henderson can't connect on a 3 pointer from the right corner | 67-54 |
| 08:01 | Northwestern | Johnny Audet gets the rebound | 67-54 |
| 07:56 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid knocks in the 3 pointer from the right corner set up by John Gideon | 67-57 |
| 07:41 | Illinois | Ronald Reid picks off the pass by Anthony Kaya | 67-57 |
| 07:37 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid misses the lay-in | 67-57 |
| 07:35 | Northwestern | Dan Michaels gets the offensive rebound | 67-57 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Derek Whatley (fresh) 6 pts. 3 ast. 3 stl. 3 pf. SG - Steve Merida (fresh) 3 pts. 3 reb. SF - Robert Henderson (tiring) 7 pts. 3 pf. PF - Anthony Kaya (fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. C - Willie Howard (fresh) 4 pts. 3 reb. 2 blk. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Ronald Reid (fairly fresh) 15 pts. 3 ast. 3 stl. SG - John Gideon (fresh) 7 pts. 1 ast. SF - Dan Michaels (fairly fresh) 10 pts. 3 reb. 2 blk. PF - Johnny Audet (fairly fresh) 8 pts. 9 reb. C - John Vance (fresh) 4 reb. | |
| 07:21 | Northwestern | John Gideon drills a jumper from the left wing on a nice dish by Ronald Reid | 67-59 |
| 07:19 | Illinois | Steve Merida is fouled in the backcourt by John Vance - foul #2 on John Vance, team foul #6 | 67-59 |
| Subs | Illinois | William Merritt (SG), Vincent Hadley (SF), Lloyd Norwood (C) Steve Merida, Robert Henderson, Willie Howard | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg (SG), Thomas Johnson (C) John Gideon, John Vance | |
| 07:03 | Illinois | Vincent Hadley misses badly on a shot from the left wing | 67-59 |
| 07:02 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Thomas Johnson | 67-59 |
| 06:56 | Northwestern | Anthony Kaya takes the ball from Jason Spitsberg | 67-59 |
| 06:41 | Illinois | William Merritt is whistled for a carry | 67-59 |
| Subs | Illinois | Richard Baker (PF) Anthony Kaya | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 06:12 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid is hacked by William Merritt - foul #2 on William Merritt, team foul #7 | 67-59 |
| Subs | Illinois | Ernest Nix (SG), Willie Howard (C) William Merritt, Lloyd Norwood | |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Vance (C) Thomas Johnson | |
| 06:12 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid makes the 1st free throw | 67-60 |
| 06:12 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid makes the 2nd free throw | 67-61 |
| 05:46 | Illinois | Willie Howard misses the easy open layup | 67-61 |
| 05:45 | Northwestern | John Vance pulls down the rebound | 67-61 |
| 05:39 | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg travels with the ball | 67-61 |
| Subs | Illinois | Steve Merida (PG) Derek Whatley | |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Gideon (PG), James Gaylord (SF) Ronald Reid, Dan Michaels | |
| 05:19 | Illinois | John Gideon is called for the reach on Richard Baker - foul #3 on John Gideon, team foul #7 | 67-61 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Warner Henderson (SF) Johnny Audet | |
| 05:19 | Illinois | Richard Baker misses the 1st free throw | 67-61 |
| 05:19 | Northwestern | James Gaylord gets the rebound | 67-61 |
| 05:15 | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg hits the front of the rim on the fadeaway jumper from the right wing | 67-61 |
| 05:13 | Illinois | Vincent Hadley grabs the defensive rebound | 67-61 |
| 05:04 | Illinois | Ernest Nix misses short on an open 3 pointer from the left corner | 67-61 |
| 05:03 | Illinois | Willie Howard grabs the offensive board | 67-61 |
| 04:56 | Illinois | Ernest Nix scores on a fadeaway from the baseline set up by Vincent Hadley | 69-61 |
| 04:33 | Northwestern | John Vance buries a driving attempt from the baseline on a great pass from Jason Spitsberg | 69-63 |
| 04:30 | Illinois | Ernest Nix throws a bad pass out of bounds in the backcourt | 69-63 |
| Subs | Illinois | Jim Boyarski (PG), William Merritt (SG), Frank Mannino (PF), Anthony Kaya (C) Steve Merida, Ernest Nix, Richard Baker, Willie Howard | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Carlton Austin (PG), Dan Michaels (SF), John Patterson (PF), Thomas Johnson (C) Jason Spitsberg, Warner Henderson, James Gaylord, John Vance | |
| 04:21 | Northwestern | John Gideon is fouled on the floor by William Merritt - foul #3 on William Merritt, team foul #8 | 69-63 |
| Subs | Illinois | Derek Whatley (PG) Vincent Hadley | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Donald Justice (SF) Dan Michaels | |
| 04:21 | Northwestern | John Gideon makes the 1st free throw | 69-64 |
| 04:21 | Northwestern | John Gideon makes the 2nd free throw | 69-65 |
| 04:13 | Illinois | Jim Boyarski misses badly on a 3pt jumper from straight away | 69-65 |
| 04:11 | Northwestern | Thomas Johnson grabs the board | 69-65 |
| 04:07 | Northwestern | John Gideon double dribbles | 69-65 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg (SG) John Gideon | |
| 03:52 | Illinois | Frank Mannino throws a bad pass out of bounds | 69-65 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Johnny Audet (PF) John Patterson | |
| 03:27 | Northwestern | Johnny Audet misses long on a runner from the baseline | 69-65 |
| 03:26 | Illinois | Anthony Kaya grabs the board | 69-65 |
| Lineup | Illinois | PG - Derek Whatley (fairly fresh) 6 pts. 3 ast. 3 stl. 3 pf. SG - William Merritt (fairly fresh) 5 pts. 3 pf. SF - Jim Boyarski (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 5 ast. PF - Frank Mannino (fresh) 2 pts. 5 reb. C - Anthony Kaya (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Carlton Austin (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 4 ast. SG - Jason Spitsberg (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 2 ast. 4 pf. SF - Donald Justice (fairly fresh) 2 pts. PF - Johnny Audet (tiring) 8 pts. 9 reb. C - Thomas Johnson (fairly fresh) 6 reb. | |
| 03:21 | Illinois | Jason Spitsberg steps in front of the William Merritt pass in the backcourt | 69-65 |
| 03:19 | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg blows the layup | 69-65 |
| 03:18 | Northwestern | Donald Justice gets the offensive rebound | 69-65 |
| 02:58 | Northwestern | Donald Justice misses short on a 3pt attempt from the left corner | 69-65 |
| 02:57 | Northwestern | Donald Justice grabs the offensive board | 69-65 |
| 02:57 | Northwestern | Northwestern calls a full timeout (2 :30 3 full remaining) | 69-65 |
| Subs | Illinois | Steve Merida (PG), Ernest Nix (SG), Robert Henderson (SF), Richard Baker (PF), Willie Howard (C) Derek Whatley, William Merritt, Jim Boyarski, Frank Mannino, Anthony Kaya | |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Gideon (SG), James Gaylord (SF), Warner Henderson (PF), John Patterson (C) Jason Spitsberg, Donald Justice, Johnny Audet, Thomas Johnson | |
| 02:33 | Northwestern | Steve Merida is called for the reach on Carlton Austin - foul #3 on Steve Merida, team foul #9 | 69-65 |
| Subs | Illinois | Vincent Hadley (SF) Robert Henderson | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Ronald Reid (PG), John Vance (C) John Gideon, Warner Henderson | |
| 02:33 | Northwestern | Carlton Austin makes the 1st free throw | 69-66 |
| 02:33 | Northwestern | Carlton Austin misses the 2nd free throw | 69-66 |
| 02:33 | Illinois | Richard Baker snags the defensive board | 69-66 |
| 02:16 | Illinois | Steve Merida can't connect on a turnaround from the baseline but he's hacked by John Vance - foul #3 on John Vance, team foul #8 | 69-66 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Gideon (SG) Carlton Austin | |
| 02:16 | Illinois | Steve Merida makes the 1st free throw | 70-66 |
| 02:16 | Illinois | Steve Merida misses the 2nd free throw | 70-66 |
| 02:16 | Northwestern | John Vance pulls down the rebound | 70-66 |
| 02:16 | Northwestern | Northwestern calls a full timeout (2 :30 2 full remaining) | 70-66 |
| 01:52 | Northwestern | James Gaylord's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 70-66 |
| Subs | Illinois | Derek Whatley (PG) Steve Merida | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg (SG), Dan Michaels (SF), Johnny Audet (PF) John Gideon, James Gaylord, John Patterson | |
| 01:47 | Illinois | Ernest Nix is hacked by Jason Spitsberg in the backcourt - foul #5 on Jason Spitsberg, team foul #9 | 70-66 |
| Subs | Illinois | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Carlton Austin (SG) Jason Spitsberg | |
| 01:47 | Illinois | Ernest Nix misses the 1st free throw | 70-66 |
| 01:47 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Johnny Audet | 70-66 |
| 01:26 | Northwestern | Carlton Austin scores on a 3pt shot from straight away on a nice dish by Ronald Reid | 70-69 |
| 01:01 | Illinois | Willie Howard is called for traveling | 70-69 |
| 00:50 | Northwestern | Dan Michaels makes the 3 pointer from the left wing set up by Ronald Reid | 70-72 |
| 00:39 | Illinois | Willie Howard scores on a shot in the paint and he's fouled by John Vance - foul #4 on John Vance, team foul #10 | 72-72 |
| 00:39 | Illinois | Willie Howard misses the free throw | 72-72 |
| 00:39 | Northwestern | John Vance gets the rebound | 72-72 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense and a man to man (0) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| 00:15 | Northwestern | Dan Michaels is fouled on the floor by Vincent Hadley - foul #2 on Vincent Hadley, team foul #10 | 72-72 |
| 00:15 | Northwestern | Dan Michaels misses the 1st free throw | 72-72 |
| 00:15 | Northwestern | Dan Michaels makes the 2nd free throw | 72-73 |
| 00:11 | Illinois | Derek Whatley throws a bad pass out of bounds in the backcourt | 72-73 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a motion offense and intentionally fouling (0) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| 00:08 | Northwestern | Ernest Nix is called for the reach on Carlton Austin - foul #2 on Ernest Nix, team foul #11 | 72-73 |
| 00:08 | Northwestern | Carlton Austin misses the 1st free throw | 72-73 |
| 00:08 | Northwestern | Carlton Austin misses the 2nd free throw | 72-73 |
| 00:08 | Illinois | The rebound goes to Willie Howard | 72-73 |
| 00:08 | Illinois | Illinois calls a :30 timeout (1 :30 4 full remaining) | 72-73 |
| 00:05 | Illinois | Derek Whatley loses the ball out of bounds in the backcourt | 72-73 |
| 00:03 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid is hacked by Derek Whatley - foul #4 on Derek Whatley, team foul #12 | 72-73 |
| 00:03 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid makes the 1st free throw | 72-74 |
| 00:03 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid misses the 2nd free throw | 72-74 |
| 00:03 | Illinois | Willie Howard pulls down the rebound | 72-74 |
| Game Plan | Illinois | Illinois is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and intentionally fouling (0) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (-2) | |
| 00:00 | Illinois | Willie Howard comes up short on the halfcourt shot | 72-74 |