Michigan State beat Indiana State 75-64 in the 1979 NCAA championship game.
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In 1979, Michigan State faced off against Indiana State in the NCAA championship game. The game, played on March 26, 1979, at the Special Events Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, was the culmination of an unpredictable tournament that saw upsets and surprises along the way.
Michigan State, led by coach Jud Heathcote and star player Magic Johnson, was coming off a hard-fought victory against Pennsylvania in the semifinals. Indiana State, meanwhile, was led by star forward Larry Bird, who had dominated the college basketball landscape that year.
Despite the hype surrounding the matchup between Johnson and Bird, Michigan State outplayed Indiana State from start to finish, winning the game 75-64. Johnson had a triple-double in the game, with 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Bird had 17 points and 13 rebounds.
The victory cemented Johnson’s legacy as one of the greatest players in college basketball history, and the game itself is still considered one of the most memorable championship games of all time.
As famous basketball commentator Dick Vitale once said, “The 1979 championship game was really the beginning of the Magic and Bird era. It was the start of something special.”
Here are some interesting facts about the game:
- Michigan State shot 57 percent from the field in the game, while Indiana State shot just 39 percent.
- The game was watched by over 35 million people on television, a record at the time.
- Magic Johnson was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament, and went on to have a successful career in the NBA.
- Larry Bird went on to have one of the greatest careers in NBA history, winning three MVP awards and leading the Boston Celtics to three championships.
- The game is often cited as one of the greatest upsets in college basketball history, as Indiana State was favored to win going into the game.
Here is a table summarizing the key stats from the game:
| Team | Field Goal Percentage | Free Throw Percentage | Rebounds | Assists | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan State | 57% | 75% | 37 | 22 | 75 |
| Indiana State | 39% | 63% | 34 | 12 | 64 |
See related video
The YouTube video titled “Magic vs. Bird: Their legendary 1979 NCAA title game battle” discusses the historical matchup between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. Both players were introduced as exceptional players in the final game, and Johnson’s refusal to pass the ball to Bird during a previous tournament is mentioned. Johnson displayed exceptional skills on the court as he scored 21 points and made a crucial play by stealing the ball in the final moments of the game. Johnson led his team to victory with a final score of 75-64.
Found more answers on the internet
75-64
In 1979, Michigan State won their first national championship, keeping Indiana State from a perfect season. The Sycamores had Larry Bird, the tournament’s leading scorer and rebounder, while the Spartans countered with Magic Johnson. Michigan State won the title game 75-64 as Johnson was named Most Outstanding Player.
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How many points did Larry Bird score in the 1979 NCAA championship game?
19 points
Bird scored a team-high 19 points for the Sycamores in the 1979 national championship game but it wasn’t his most efficient performance as he was just 7-of-21 from the field and 5-for-8 from the free-throw line.
Who won 1979 national championship?
As an answer to this: Michigan State Spartans men’s basketball1979 NCAA Division I basketball tournament / ChampionThe Michigan State Spartans men’s basketball team is the intercollegiate men’s basketball program representing Michigan State University. The school competes in the Big Ten Conference of NCAA Division I college basketball. The Spartans have won two NCAA championships and 16 Big Ten Championships. Wikipedia
Did Magic Johnson and Larry Bird play against each other in college?
Answer to this: But things began to change in 1979, when a charismatic Michigan State point guard named Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson met unheralded Indiana State and star forward Larry Bird in the NCAA Championship.
Who won the NCAA championship between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson?
Michigan State
On March 26, 1979, Magic Johnson led Michigan State past Larry Bird and Indiana State in the NCAA title game. The game, watched by nearly a quarter of U.S. television viewers, is credited with sparking an interest in the NCAA tournament that led to the development of “March Madness.”
When was the 1979 NCAA Division I Basketball Championship Game?
Response to this: The 1979 NCAA Division I Basketball Championship Game was the final of the 1979 NCAA Division I basketball tournament and determined the national champion for the 1978–79 season. [a] The game was held on March 26, at the Special Events Center (now the Jon M. Huntsman Center) at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Are NCAA Final ratings up compared to Magic Bird in 1979?
The reply will be: "NCAA tournament final ratings up, but still far cry from Magic–Bird in 1979". MLive.com. Retrieved April 25, 2019. ^ "Michigan State vs. Indiana State Box Score, March 26, 1979". Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved January 16, 2023. ^ "1978–79 Men’s College Basketball Season Summary". Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
How many times did Larry Bird play in the NCAA Tournament?
The reply will be: Larry Bird played in the NCAA tournament just once, in 1979, but he made the most of it. He scored 136 points in five NCAA tournament games, leading the Sycamores to the national championship game, where they fell to the Michigan State Spartans. The following comes from The Tampa Bay Times:
When did Minnesota win the NCAA hockey national championship?
On March 24, 1979, Minnesota claimed a NCAA hockey national championship with a triumphant 4-3 win over North Dakota. The victory was Minnesota’s third title of the decade under coach Herb Brooks. As Sid Hartman wrote in the Minneapolis Tribune on Sunday, March 25, 1979:
When was the 1979 NCAA Division I men’s basketball championship game?
The 1979 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship game, between Michigan State University and Indiana State University, exactly as aired on NBA on March 26, 1979, except that the commercials are deleted. Although the game, won 75-64 by MSU, was not quite as dramatic as manyRead all One of the most historically significant games ever!
What is the story of the 1979 Michigan State–Indiana state championship game?
The response is: The following is an excerpt from the story of the 1979 Michigan State–Indiana State championship game, best known for being the first time Larry Bird and Magic Johnson faced each other on the national stage. Excerpted from Madness: The Ten Most Memorable NCAA Basketball Finals by Mark Mehler and Charles Paikert. Copyright © 2018.
Are NCAA Final ratings up compared to Magic Bird in 1979?
Response to this: "NCAA tournament final ratings up, but still far cry from Magic–Bird in 1979". MLive.com. Retrieved April 25, 2019. ^ "Michigan State vs. Indiana State Box Score, March 26, 1979". Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved January 16, 2023. ^ "1978–79 Men’s College Basketball Season Summary". Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
How many times did Larry Bird play in the NCAA Tournament?
Larry Bird played in the NCAA tournament just once, in 1979, but he made the most of it. He scored 136 points in five NCAA tournament games, leading the Sycamores to the national championship game, where they fell to the Michigan State Spartans. The following comes from The Tampa Bay Times: