Gonzaga entered this year’s N.C.A.A. men’s basketball championship game with a 31-0 record. The last team to reach the title game undefeated was Indiana State in 1979, featuring a young Larry Bird. Which team, with its own future superstar, beat it?
Duke and Christian Laettner
Georgetown and Allen Iverson
Michigan State and Magic Johnson
North Carolina and Michael Jordan
U.C.L.A. and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
ANSWER:
Michigan State and Magic Johnson
The 1979 NCAA men’s basketball championship game was a highly anticipated matchup between two undefeated teams: Indiana State and Michigan State. Indiana State, led by future NBA superstar Larry Bird, had dominated the regular season with a perfect 33-0 record, while Michigan State had compiled a 25-6 record and had advanced to the championship game with a stunning upset of the heavily favored University of Pennsylvania.
The game itself was a closely contested battle, with both teams trading leads throughout the first half. In the second half, however, Michigan State began to pull away, thanks in large part to the play of star guard Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Johnson, who would go on to become one of the greatest players in NBA history, scored 24 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, and dished out 5 assists, leading Michigan State to a 75-64 victory over Indiana State.
Larry Bird’s performance in the championship game was nothing short of remarkable. Bird, who would go on to win three NBA championships and three MVP awards, scored 19 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and dished out 5 assists, demonstrating the skills and tenacity that would make him one of the greatest players in basketball history.
The 1979 NCAA championship game remains one of the most memorable and iconic moments in college basketball history, and serves as a testament to the power and excitement of the sport. Whether you’re a fan of Indiana State, Michigan State, or simply a lover of basketball, the game is sure to inspire a sense of wonder and appreciation for the skill, passion, and dedication of the players who make the sport so thrilling and unforgettable.