1979: The Season that Ignited a Basketball Revolution

Iconic Seasons | Hardwood History | College Basketball

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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.

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