The 1979 college basketball season was a pivotal moment in the sport's history. It was the year that two future NBA legends, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, first faced off in the NCAA championship game.
The game was a clash of styles, with Michigan State's fast-paced, high-flying offense led by Johnson's passing going up against Indiana State's deliberate, disciplined approach anchored by Bird's shooting and rebounding. Michigan State won the game in a thrilling finish, but Bird's performance solidified him as a star.
The 1979 season also marked a seismic shift in college basketball. The Big Ten Conference was finally stepping out of football's shadow, and smaller conferences like the Missouri Valley were now in the spotlight. The NCAA tournament, which was limited to two teams per conference, had incredibly high stakes. This made the atmosphere electric and packed the arenas, creating incredible battles and controversial calls. The 1979 season set the stage for one of the most iconic rivalries in sports history. Johnson and Bird would go on to face each other in the NBA Finals three times, with each player winning two championships. Their rivalry helped to bring the NBA back into the mainstream and paved the way for the sport's massive popularity today.
Support the Pod or Binge the Entire Season Now!
Connect on Social
Popular Podcasts
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.