| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - David Williams (fresh) 3 pts. 2 ast. SG - Gerry Allsop (fresh) 5 pts. SF - Walter Rhoades (fresh) 3 pts. 2 reb. PF - Kelvin Victory (fresh) 2 pts. 2 reb. C - Jacob Darling (fresh) 4 pts. 7 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Ronald Reid (fresh) 3 pts. 1 ast. SG - Jason Spitsberg (fresh) SF - Dan Michaels (fresh) 5 pts. PF - Johnny Audet (fresh) 7 pts. 6 reb. C - John Vance (fresh) 2 reb. | |
| 20:00 | Michigan State | Walter Rhoades inbounds the ball | 32-23 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (0) | |
| 19:53 | Michigan State | Walter Rhoades connects on the turnaround in the paint set up by David Williams | 34-23 |
| 19:40 | Northwestern | Dan Michaels makes the fadeaway from the free throw line on a nice dish by Ronald Reid | 34-25 |
| 19:22 | Michigan State | Walter Rhoades buries a fadeaway from the right side on a nice dish by David Williams | 36-25 |
| 19:19 | Northwestern | Dan Michaels's pass is intercepted by Jacob Darling in the backcourt | 36-25 |
| 19:02 | Michigan State | David Williams is alone and drills a 3pt shot from straight away on a great pass from Gerry Allsop | 39-25 |
| 18:39 | Northwestern | John Vance connects on the driving attempt near the basket set up by Dan Michaels | 39-27 |
| 18:16 | Michigan State | Gerry Allsop hits a 3 pointer from the left corner | 42-27 |
| 18:11 | Northwestern | Johnny Audet is called for a charge in the backcourt - foul #2 on Johnny Audet, team foul #1 | 42-27 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Richard Madruga (PG), Herbert Knight (SG), William Morrison (SF), Michael Henneberg (PF), William Hondo (C) David Williams, Gerry Allsop, Walter Rhoades, Kelvin Victory, Jacob Darling | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Carlton Austin (PG), John Gideon (SG), Donald Justice (SF), James Gaylord (PF), John Patterson (C) Ronald Reid, Jason Spitsberg, Dan Michaels, Johnny Audet, John Vance | |
| 17:53 | Michigan State | Michael Henneberg misses the wide open shot from the right block | 42-27 |
| 17:52 | Northwestern | John Patterson grabs the board | 42-27 |
| 17:23 | Northwestern | Carlton Austin is whistled for a carry | 42-27 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Gerard Hall (PG), Jacob Darling (C) Michael Henneberg, William Hondo | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg (SG), Warner Henderson (SF), Johnny Audet (PF), Thomas Johnson (C) Carlton Austin, Donald Justice, James Gaylord, John Patterson | |
| 17:17 | Michigan State | Johnny Audet takes the ball from William Morrison in the backcourt | 42-27 |
| 16:54 | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg is called for the offensive foul - foul #2 on Jason Spitsberg, team foul #2 | 42-27 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Gerry Allsop (SG), Walter Rhoades (SF), Kelvin Victory (PF) Richard Madruga, Herbert Knight, William Morrison | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Ronald Reid (PG) John Gideon | |
| 16:39 | Michigan State | Walter Rhoades hits a fadeaway from the baseline set up by Gerard Hall and he's hacked by Warner Henderson - foul #2 on Warner Henderson, team foul #3 | 44-27 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Dan Michaels (SF), John Vance (C) Johnny Audet, Thomas Johnson | |
| 16:39 | Michigan State | Walter Rhoades misses the free throw | 44-27 |
| 16:39 | Northwestern | Warner Henderson grabs the defensive rebound | 44-27 |
| 16:18 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid hits the front of the rim on the 3 pointer from straight away | 44-27 |
| 16:16 | Michigan State | Kelvin Victory grabs the board | 44-27 |
| 16:02 | Michigan State | Gerry Allsop misses badly on a jump hook from close range but he's hacked by Dan Michaels - foul #2 on Dan Michaels, team foul #4 | 44-27 |
| Subs | Michigan State | David Williams (PG), Michael Henneberg (PF) Gerard Hall, Kelvin Victory | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Carlton Austin (SG), Donald Justice (SF), James Gaylord (PF), John Patterson (C) Jason Spitsberg, Dan Michaels, Warner Henderson, John Vance | |
| 16:02 | Michigan State | Gerry Allsop makes the 1st free throw | 45-27 |
| 16:02 | Michigan State | Gerry Allsop misses the 2nd free throw | 45-27 |
| 16:02 | Northwestern | John Patterson gets the rebound | 45-27 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - David Williams (fresh) 6 pts. 4 ast. SG - Gerry Allsop (tiring) 9 pts. 1 ast. SF - Walter Rhoades (fairly fresh) 9 pts. 2 reb. PF - Michael Henneberg (fresh) 2 pts. C - Jacob Darling (tiring) 4 pts. 7 reb. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Ronald Reid (fairly fresh) 3 pts. 2 ast. SG - Carlton Austin (fresh) 3 pts. 2 ast. SF - Donald Justice (fresh) 3 reb. PF - James Gaylord (fresh) 4 reb. C - John Patterson (fresh) 3 reb. | |
| 15:40 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid buries a 3 pointer from straight away on a great pass from Carlton Austin | 45-30 |
| 15:38 | Michigan State | David Williams loses the dribble to James Gaylord in the backcourt | 45-30 |
| 15:26 | Northwestern | Donald Justice double dribbles | 45-30 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Richard Madruga (SG), William Morrison (SF), William Hondo (PF) Gerry Allsop, Walter Rhoades, Jacob Darling | |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Gideon (SG), Johnny Audet (PF), Thomas Johnson (C) Ronald Reid, Donald Justice, John Patterson | |
| 15:24 | Michigan State | David Williams's pass is intercepted by James Gaylord in the backcourt | 45-30 |
| 15:21 | Northwestern | Carlton Austin lays it up and in on a great pass from James Gaylord | 45-32 |
| 15:17 | Michigan State | Johnny Audet is called for the reach on William Morrison - foul #3 on Johnny Audet, team foul #5 | 45-32 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Herbert Knight (SG) David Williams | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg (SG), Dan Michaels (SF) Carlton Austin, James Gaylord | |
| 15:11 | Michigan State | Richard Madruga's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 45-32 |
| 15:08 | Northwestern | Dan Michaels's pass is off the mark and out of bounds in the backcourt | 45-32 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Kelvin Victory (PF) Michael Henneberg | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 14:58 | Michigan State | Herbert Knight's floater is tipped away by Dan Michaels | 45-32 |
| 14:56 | Northwestern | Thomas Johnson grabs the board | 45-32 |
| 14:51 | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg connects on the open jumpshot from the free throw line | 45-34 |
| 14:37 | Michigan State | Herbert Knight is open and scores on a jumper from the free throw line on a great pass from Richard Madruga | 47-34 |
| 14:33 | Northwestern | Dan Michaels is wide open but clanks a jumper from the free throw line | 47-34 |
| 14:31 | Michigan State | William Hondo gets the rebound | 47-34 |
| 14:26 | Michigan State | Richard Madruga misses short on a 3 pointer from the right wing | 47-34 |
| 14:24 | Northwestern | John Gideon gets the rebound | 47-34 |
| 14:19 | Northwestern | Thomas Johnson is hacked by William Hondo - foul #1 on William Hondo, team foul #1 | 47-34 |
| Subs | Michigan State | David Williams (PG), Gerard Hall (SG), Walter Rhoades (SF), Michael Henneberg (PF), Jacob Darling (C) Richard Madruga, Herbert Knight, William Morrison, Kelvin Victory, William Hondo | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Ronald Reid (PG), James Gaylord (SF), John Vance (C) John Gideon, Dan Michaels, Thomas Johnson | |
| 13:55 | Northwestern | James Gaylord misses badly on a jumper near the basket | 47-34 |
| 13:53 | Michigan State | Walter Rhoades grabs the defensive rebound | 47-34 |
| 13:51 | Michigan State | Ronald Reid is called for the reach on David Williams in the backcourt - foul #2 on Ronald Reid, team foul #6 | 47-34 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Carlton Austin (SG), Donald Justice (SF), John Patterson (PF) Jason Spitsberg, James Gaylord, Johnny Audet | |
| 13:42 | Michigan State | Gerard Hall drills a runner near the basket on a great pass from David Williams | 49-34 |
| 13:15 | Northwestern | Donald Justice is hacked by Gerard Hall - foul #1 on Gerard Hall, team foul #2 | 49-34 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Gerry Allsop (SG), William Morrison (SF), Kelvin Victory (PF) Gerard Hall, Walter Rhoades, Michael Henneberg | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg (SG), Warner Henderson (SF), James Gaylord (PF) Ronald Reid, Donald Justice, John Patterson | |
| 13:00 | Northwestern | Warner Henderson banks in the layup set up by James Gaylord | 49-36 |
| 12:55 | Michigan State | Gerry Allsop makes the floater from the right side set up by Kelvin Victory | 51-36 |
| 12:40 | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg's fadeaway is rejected by Jacob Darling | 51-36 |
| 12:39 | Northwestern | James Gaylord tips it back up and in | 51-38 |
| 12:18 | Michigan State | David Williams hits a jumpshot from the left side set up by William Morrison | 53-38 |
| 12:16 | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg is called for traveling in the backcourt | 53-38 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Richard Madruga (PG), Herbert Knight (SG), Walter Rhoades (SF), Michael Henneberg (C) David Williams, Gerry Allsop, William Morrison, Jacob Darling | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Ronald Reid (PG), John Gideon (SG), Dan Michaels (SF), Johnny Audet (PF) Carlton Austin, Jason Spitsberg, Warner Henderson, John Vance | |
| 11:59 | Michigan State | Walter Rhoades's fadeaway is rejected by Johnny Audet | 53-38 |
| 11:58 | Northwestern | James Gaylord snags the defensive board | 53-38 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Richard Madruga (fresh) 5 pts. 2 ast. SG - Herbert Knight (fresh) 4 pts. SF - Walter Rhoades (tiring) 9 pts. 3 reb. PF - Kelvin Victory (tired) 2 pts. 3 reb. C - Michael Henneberg (tiring) 2 pts. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Ronald Reid (tiring) 6 pts. 2 ast. SG - John Gideon (fresh) 2 stl. SF - Dan Michaels (tiring) 7 pts. PF - Johnny Audet (tiring) 7 pts. 6 reb. 2 stl. 3 pf. C - James Gaylord (tiring) 2 pts. 6 reb. 2 stl. | |
| 11:54 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid is by himself and knocks in the fadeaway from the right side | 53-40 |
| 11:31 | Michigan State | Richard Madruga knocks in the 3pt shot from straight away | 56-40 |
| 11:29 | Northwestern | Herbert Knight takes the ball from Dan Michaels in the backcourt | 56-40 |
| 11:10 | Michigan State | Herbert Knight's pass is off the mark and out of bounds | 56-40 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Gerard Hall (PG), William Morrison (SF), William Hondo (PF), Jacob Darling (C) Herbert Knight, Walter Rhoades, Kelvin Victory, Michael Henneberg | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg (SG), Donald Justice (SF), John Patterson (PF), Thomas Johnson (C) John Gideon, Dan Michaels, Johnny Audet, James Gaylord | |
| 10:44 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid can't connect on a fadeaway jumper from the right side but the foul's on William Morrison - foul #2 on William Morrison, team foul #3 | 56-40 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Gerry Allsop (SG) Richard Madruga | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Johnny Audet (PF) Thomas Johnson | |
| 10:44 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid makes the 1st free throw | 56-41 |
| 10:44 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid makes the 2nd free throw | 56-42 |
| 10:29 | Michigan State | Gerard Hall misses short on a fadeaway from just outside the lane | 56-42 |
| 10:28 | Northwestern | Johnny Audet grabs the board | 56-42 |
| 10:24 | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg knocks in the 3 from straight away set up by Johnny Audet | 56-45 |
| 10:06 | Michigan State | Ronald Reid is called for the reach on William Morrison - foul #3 on Ronald Reid, team foul #7 | 56-45 |
| Subs | Michigan State | David Williams (PG), Richard Madruga (SG), Walter Rhoades (SF) Gerard Hall, Gerry Allsop, William Hondo | |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Gideon (PG), Carlton Austin (SG), Dan Michaels (SF), John Vance (C) Ronald Reid, Jason Spitsberg, Donald Justice, John Patterson | |
| 10:06 | Michigan State | William Morrison misses the 1st free throw | 56-45 |
| 10:06 | Northwestern | John Vance gets the rebound | 56-45 |
| 09:59 | Northwestern | Dan Michaels misses the floater from the free throw line | 56-45 |
| 09:57 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to William Morrison | 56-45 |
| 09:55 | Michigan State | Richard Madruga is fouled in the backcourt by John Gideon - foul #1 on John Gideon, team foul #8 | 56-45 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Michael Henneberg (PF) William Morrison | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Warner Henderson (PF) Johnny Audet | |
| 09:55 | Michigan State | Richard Madruga makes the 1st free throw | 57-45 |
| 09:55 | Michigan State | Richard Madruga misses the 2nd free throw | 57-45 |
| 09:55 | Northwestern | The rebound goes to Warner Henderson | 57-45 |
| 09:35 | Northwestern | John Vance knocks in the turnaround in the paint set up by Dan Michaels | 57-47 |
| 09:33 | Michigan State | Richard Madruga is fouled in the backcourt by Dan Michaels - foul #3 on Dan Michaels, team foul #9 | 57-47 |
| Subs | Michigan State | | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg (SG), Thomas Johnson (C) John Gideon, John Vance | |
| 09:33 | Michigan State | Richard Madruga makes the 1st free throw | 58-47 |
| 09:33 | Michigan State | Richard Madruga makes the 2nd free throw | 59-47 |
| 09:31 | Northwestern | Richard Madruga takes the ball from Jason Spitsberg in the backcourt | 59-47 |
| 09:29 | Michigan State | Richard Madruga can't throw it down | 59-47 |
| 09:27 | Northwestern | Warner Henderson gets the rebound | 59-47 |
| 09:25 | Northwestern | Carlton Austin throws a bad pass out of bounds in the backcourt | 59-47 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Herbert Knight (SG), Kelvin Victory (PF) Richard Madruga, Jacob Darling | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Johnny Audet (PF) Warner Henderson | |
| 08:57 | Michigan State | David Williams buries a pull-up jumper from the left wing set up by Walter Rhoades | 61-47 |
| 08:39 | Northwestern | Johnny Audet misses the lay-in | 61-47 |
| 08:37 | Michigan State | Walter Rhoades pulls down the rebound | 61-47 |
| 08:37 | Michigan State | Michigan State calls a full timeout (2 :30 2 full remaining) | 61-47 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Gerard Hall (PG), William Morrison (SF), William Hondo (PF), Jacob Darling (C) David Williams, Walter Rhoades, Kelvin Victory, Michael Henneberg | |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Gideon (PG), Donald Justice (SF), Warner Henderson (PF), John Patterson (C) Carlton Austin, Dan Michaels, Johnny Audet, Thomas Johnson | |
| 08:15 | Michigan State | Jacob Darling drills a fadeaway from the left block on a great pass from Gerard Hall and the foul's on John Patterson - foul #3 on John Patterson, team foul #10 | 63-47 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Gerry Allsop (SG) Herbert Knight | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Ronald Reid (PG) Jason Spitsberg | |
| 08:15 | Michigan State | Jacob Darling misses the free throw | 63-47 |
| 08:15 | Northwestern | Donald Justice grabs the board | 63-47 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense (uptempo) and a fullcourt press (0) | |
| 08:01 | Northwestern | John Patterson is denied on a layup by Jacob Darling | 63-47 |
| 08:00 | Northwestern | The offensive rebound goes to John Patterson | 63-47 |
| 07:31 | Northwestern | Donald Justice hits a pull-up jumper from the free throw line on a great pass from Ronald Reid | 63-49 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Gerard Hall (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 3 ast. SG - Gerry Allsop (tiring) 11 pts. 1 ast. SF - William Morrison (tiring) 4 pts. 7 reb. PF - William Hondo (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 3 reb. C - Jacob Darling (tired) 6 pts. 7 reb. 3 blk. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Ronald Reid (tiring) 10 pts. 3 ast. 3 pf. SG - John Gideon (fairly fresh) 2 stl. SF - Donald Justice (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. PF - Warner Henderson (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 4 reb. 2 stl. C - John Patterson (fairly fresh) 4 reb. 3 pf. | |
| 07:26 | Michigan State | Gerry Allsop comes up short on the 3pt attempt from the right wing | 63-49 |
| 07:25 | Northwestern | Warner Henderson gets the rebound | 63-49 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (+2) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (0) | |
| 07:18 | Northwestern | Donald Justice is alone and drills a jump hook in the paint on a nice dish by Ronald Reid | 63-51 |
| 07:11 | Michigan State | John Patterson steps in front of the Gerry Allsop pass in the backcourt | 63-51 |
| 06:49 | Northwestern | Gerry Allsop is called for the reach on John Gideon - foul #1 on Gerry Allsop, team foul #4 | 63-51 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Richard Madruga (PG), Herbert Knight (SG), Walter Rhoades (SF), Kelvin Victory (PF), Michael Henneberg (C) Gerard Hall, Gerry Allsop, William Morrison, William Hondo, Jacob Darling | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Carlton Austin (PG), Jason Spitsberg (SG), James Gaylord (SF), Johnny Audet (PF), Thomas Johnson (C) Ronald Reid, John Gideon, Donald Justice, Warner Henderson, John Patterson | |
| 06:32 | Northwestern | Johnny Audet lays it in set up by Jason Spitsberg and the foul's on Kelvin Victory - foul #2 on Kelvin Victory, team foul #5 | 63-53 |
| 06:32 | Northwestern | Johnny Audet makes the free throw | 63-54 |
| 06:15 | Michigan State | Richard Madruga can't connect on a fadeaway from just outside the lane | 63-54 |
| 06:14 | Michigan State | The offensive rebound goes to Herbert Knight | 63-54 |
| 06:06 | Michigan State | Jason Spitsberg steals the ball from Michael Henneberg | 63-54 |
| 06:02 | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg banks in the layup | 63-56 |
| 05:38 | Michigan State | Michael Henneberg comes up short on the turnaround from the left block but he's hacked by James Gaylord - foul #1 on James Gaylord, team foul #11 | 63-56 |
| Subs | Michigan State | David Williams (PG), William Morrison (C) Herbert Knight, Kelvin Victory | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Ronald Reid (PG), Dan Michaels (SF), John Vance (C) Carlton Austin, Johnny Audet, Thomas Johnson | |
| 05:38 | Michigan State | Michael Henneberg makes the 1st free throw | 64-56 |
| 05:38 | Michigan State | Michael Henneberg misses the 2nd free throw | 64-56 |
| 05:38 | Northwestern | James Gaylord grabs the board | 64-56 |
| 05:25 | Northwestern | Dan Michaels misses long on a jumper from the right side but he's hacked by Walter Rhoades - foul #1 on Walter Rhoades, team foul #6 | 64-56 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Jacob Darling (C) Michael Henneberg | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 05:25 | Northwestern | Dan Michaels makes the 1st free throw | 64-57 |
| 05:25 | Northwestern | Dan Michaels makes the 2nd free throw | 64-58 |
| 05:08 | Michigan State | Walter Rhoades misses badly on a shot from the right block | 64-58 |
| 05:06 | Michigan State | Jacob Darling grabs the offensive board | 64-58 |
| 04:58 | Michigan State | David Williams misses short on a shot from just outside the lane but he's fouled by Ronald Reid - foul #4 on Ronald Reid, team foul #12 | 64-58 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Gerry Allsop (SG) Richard Madruga | |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Gideon (PG) Ronald Reid | |
| 04:58 | Michigan State | David Williams makes the 1st free throw | 65-58 |
| 04:58 | Michigan State | David Williams makes the 2nd free throw | 66-58 |
| 04:40 | Northwestern | James Gaylord blows the layup but the foul's on Gerry Allsop - foul #2 on Gerry Allsop, team foul #7 | 66-58 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Kelvin Victory (PF) William Morrison | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 04:40 | Northwestern | James Gaylord misses the 1st free throw | 66-58 |
| 04:40 | Northwestern | James Gaylord makes the 2nd free throw | 66-59 |
| 04:22 | Michigan State | Walter Rhoades misses badly on a jumper from the left wing but he's hacked by Dan Michaels - foul #4 on Dan Michaels, team foul #13 | 66-59 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Richard Madruga (SG), William Hondo (C) Gerry Allsop, Jacob Darling | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Carlton Austin (SG), Johnny Audet (PF) Jason Spitsberg, James Gaylord | |
| 04:22 | Michigan State | Walter Rhoades misses the 1st free throw | 66-59 |
| 04:22 | Michigan State | Walter Rhoades misses the 2nd free throw | 66-59 |
| 04:22 | Northwestern | Johnny Audet grabs the board | 66-59 |
| 04:07 | Northwestern | John Vance comes up short on the jumper near the basket but he's fouled by Walter Rhoades - foul #2 on Walter Rhoades, team foul #8 | 66-59 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Gerard Hall (PG), Herbert Knight (SF) David Williams, Walter Rhoades | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Ronald Reid (PG), Donald Justice (SF) John Gideon, Dan Michaels | |
| 04:07 | Northwestern | John Vance misses the 1st free throw | 66-59 |
| 04:07 | Northwestern | John Vance makes the 2nd free throw | 66-60 |
| 04:01 | Michigan State | William Hondo is called for traveling in the backcourt | 66-60 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Michael Henneberg (PF) Kelvin Victory | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 03:49 | Northwestern | John Vance can't connect on a jump hook from the baseline | 66-60 |
| 03:47 | Northwestern | Carlton Austin grabs the offensive board | 66-60 |
| 03:32 | Northwestern | John Vance loses the dribble to William Hondo | 66-60 |
| Lineup | Michigan State | PG - Gerard Hall (fairly fresh) 2 pts. 3 ast. SG - Richard Madruga (tiring) 11 pts. 2 ast. 2 stl. SF - Herbert Knight (fairly fresh) 4 pts. PF - Michael Henneberg (tired) 3 pts. C - William Hondo (tiring) 2 pts. 3 reb. 2 stl. | |
| Lineup | Northwestern | PG - Ronald Reid (tiring) 10 pts. 4 ast. 4 pf. SG - Carlton Austin (tiring) 5 pts. 3 ast. SF - Donald Justice (fairly fresh) 4 pts. 4 reb. PF - Johnny Audet (tired) 10 pts. 8 reb. 2 stl. 3 pf. C - John Vance (tiring) 5 pts. 3 reb. | |
| 03:16 | Michigan State | Herbert Knight drills a 3pt jumper from the right corner on a nice dish by Gerard Hall | 69-60 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense (uptempo) and a fullcourt press (0) | |
| 03:13 | Northwestern | Gerard Hall is called for the reach on Ronald Reid in the backcourt - foul #2 on Gerard Hall, team foul #9 | 69-60 |
| Subs | Michigan State | David Williams (PG), Gerry Allsop (SG), William Morrison (PF), Jacob Darling (C) Gerard Hall, Richard Madruga, Michael Henneberg, William Hondo | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg (SG), Dan Michaels (SF), John Patterson (PF) Carlton Austin, Donald Justice, Johnny Audet | |
| 03:13 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid makes the 1st free throw | 69-61 |
| 03:13 | Northwestern | Ronald Reid makes the 2nd free throw | 69-62 |
| 03:04 | Michigan State | Herbert Knight drills a 3 from the right corner | 72-62 |
| 03:04 | Northwestern | Northwestern calls a full timeout (2 :30 2 full remaining) | 72-62 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Walter Rhoades (SF) Herbert Knight | |
| Subs | Northwestern | John Gideon (PG), Warner Henderson (SF), Thomas Johnson (C) Ronald Reid, Dan Michaels, John Vance | |
| 02:47 | Northwestern | Thomas Johnson throws a bad pass out of bounds | 72-62 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Gerard Hall (PG) David Williams | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a fastbreak offense and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense (uptempo) and a fullcourt press (-1) | |
| 02:30 | Michigan State | William Morrison buries a jump hook in the lane on a nice dish by Gerry Allsop | 74-62 |
| 02:27 | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg's pass is off the mark and out of bounds in the backcourt | 74-62 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Kelvin Victory (PF) Walter Rhoades | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Dan Michaels (SF), James Gaylord (C) John Patterson, Thomas Johnson | |
| 02:19 | Michigan State | William Morrison misses the fadeaway from the left wing | 74-62 |
| 02:18 | Michigan State | William Morrison grabs the offensive board | 74-62 |
| 02:04 | Michigan State | Gerard Hall can't connect on a pull-up jumper from the right wing | 74-62 |
| 02:03 | Northwestern | James Gaylord snags the defensive board | 74-62 |
| 01:59 | Northwestern | Jason Spitsberg misses short on an open 3 from the left corner | 74-62 |
| 01:57 | Michigan State | Gerard Hall pulls down the rebound | 74-62 |
| 01:51 | Michigan State | Kelvin Victory misses short on a driving attempt from close range but the foul's on Warner Henderson - foul #3 on Warner Henderson, team foul #14 | 74-62 |
| Subs | Michigan State | Richard Madruga (PG), Herbert Knight (SG), Michael Henneberg (C) Gerard Hall, Gerry Allsop, Jacob Darling | |
| Subs | Northwestern | Carlton Austin (PG), Donald Justice (SF), John Patterson (C) Jason Spitsberg, Dan Michaels, Warner Henderson | |
| 01:51 | Michigan State | Kelvin Victory makes the 1st free throw | 75-62 |
| 01:51 | Michigan State | Kelvin Victory makes the 2nd free throw | 76-62 |
| 01:49 | Northwestern | John Gideon is hacked by Herbert Knight in the backcourt - foul #2 on Herbert Knight, team foul #10 | 76-62 |
| Subs | Michigan State | William Hondo (C) Kelvin Victory | |
| Subs | Northwestern | | |
| 01:49 | Northwestern | John Gideon makes the 1st free throw | 76-63 |
| 01:49 | Northwestern | John Gideon makes the 2nd free throw | 76-64 |
| 01:37 | Michigan State | William Hondo is hacked by Carlton Austin - foul #1 on Carlton Austin, team foul #15 | 76-64 |
| 01:37 | Michigan State | William Hondo makes the 1st free throw | 77-64 |
| 01:37 | Michigan State | William Hondo misses the 2nd free throw | 77-64 |
| 01:37 | Northwestern | John Gideon gets the rebound | 77-64 |
| 01:34 | Northwestern | Michael Henneberg steals it from James Gaylord in the backcourt | 77-64 |
| 01:17 | Michigan State | Richard Madruga drills a pull-up jumper from the right wing | 79-64 |
| 01:11 | Northwestern | Donald Justice misses short on an open driving attempt from close range | 79-64 |
| 01:10 | Northwestern | The offensive rebound goes to James Gaylord | 79-64 |
| 00:55 | Northwestern | John Gideon buries a 3pt jumper from straight away on a great pass from Carlton Austin | 79-67 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a fastbreak offense (uptempo) and a fullcourt press (-1) | |
| 00:53 | Michigan State | Richard Madruga is fouled in the backcourt by Carlton Austin - foul #2 on Carlton Austin, team foul #16 | 79-67 |
| 00:53 | Michigan State | Richard Madruga makes the 1st free throw | 80-67 |
| 00:53 | Michigan State | Richard Madruga makes the 2nd free throw | 81-67 |
| Game Plan | Michigan State | Michigan State is playing a spread offense (hold ball) and a fullcourt press (+1) | |
| Game Plan | Northwestern | Northwestern is playing a quick shot offense (quick shot) and a fullcourt press (-1) | |
| 00:47 | Northwestern | James Gaylord scores on a driving attempt near the basket set up by John Gideon | 81-69 |
| 00:45 | Michigan State | Carlton Austin steps in front of the Michael Henneberg pass in the backcourt | 81-69 |
| 00:41 | Northwestern | Donald Justice misses the wide open 3pt shot from straight away | 81-69 |
| 00:39 | Michigan State | The rebound goes to Richard Madruga | 81-69 |
| 00:11 | Michigan State | Herbert Knight can't connect on a shot from the left side but he's fouled by John Gideon - foul #2 on John Gideon, team foul #17 | 81-69 |
| 00:11 | Michigan State | Herbert Knight misses the 1st free throw | 81-69 |
| 00:11 | Michigan State | Herbert Knight makes the 2nd free throw | 82-69 |
| 00:05 | Northwestern | John Patterson is by himself and knocks in the turnaround from the right block set up by James Gaylord | 82-71 |
| 00:00 | Michigan State | Richard Madruga runs out the clock | 82-71 |