1979 Larry Bird Ncaa run Indiana State

TERRE HAUTE - There was a time where thousands of fans flocked to Terre Haute every time the Sycamores took the court.
That was 40 years ago, when the Indiana State basketball team captured the hearts of so many, going undefeated through the regular season and becoming the first mid-major basketball program to reach the National Championship game.
"It was amazing," former player Alex Gilbert said. "You've heard the stories about the toilet paper and all that. It was everything you would think college sports should be. It was packed every game, kids went crazy every night.
Thousands reminisced, watching moments like Bob Heaton’s half-court shot against New Mexico State, Alex Gilbert’s monstrous slam on the road against Kansas and the endless highlight reels Larry Bird and Carl Nicks produced while in a Sycamore uniform on the four-panel screen at center court.
The top seed in the NCAA Midwest Regional was awarded to the Sycamores. The final game of the regional tournament was against Arkansas with a berth in the Final Four on the line. With the game tied at 71, the right-handed Heaton was the hero again with a last second left-handed shot in the lane to win the game. They advanced to the championship game and faced Michigan State University, which was led by sophomore Magic Johnson. In what was the most-watched college basketball game ever, Michigan State defeated Indiana State 75-64, and Johnson was voted Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four.
West
Indiana State (#1 seed) 86, Virginia Tech (#8 seed) 69
Indiana State 93, Oklahoma (#5 seed) 72
Indiana State 73, Arkansas (#2 seed) 71
Final Four
Indiana State 76, DePaul 74
Michigan State 75, Indiana State 64

[@Biggdoom344]

Bird was a scoring machine in college..and with no three points shot. If there was he would have averaged 40 a game

[@AI2789crg]

Is there any other player who had such an explosive and immediate impact on the team he joined as Bird? ISU had never been in the NCAA tournament, Bird led them to an undefeated regular season and all the way to the final game. He then turned the Celtics from one of their worst seasons ever to one of their best season records… in his first year in the NBA. None of the other possible “GOAT"s have had an an impact like that in both college and their first NBA season.

[@CoreyT127]

I’m not sure which was more impressive?

[@elvispresley1650]

You are awesome. Proof that Bird is the true....true....GOAT

[@steverakes6182]

Bird was the GOAT of his era, but no one has ever come close to dominating the game like the almighty Chamberlain.

[@CoreyT127]

@@steverakes6182Bird was a better all around player! And wasn’t a foot taller than 95% of the guys he faced!

[@steverakes6182]

@@CoreyT127 Since when is 4'' considered a foot? Just compare the stats of both to feel foolish.

[@78tag]

Thank you for this video - well done. I've never seen these college games in review like this.

[@bigdaddystinkeye]

Man he was a blast to watch.

[@6DoctorJ]

What a great footage and editorial work. Much thanks.

[@chuck5898]

Larry Bird and four regular guys almost beat powerhouse Michigan State with several future pros.

[@kenp2218]

They called traveling on Bird: Today's college and pro game doesn't even know the meaning of the word!
Can you even imagine if these 1979 Ref's had to officiate a college or pro game today? They would be worn out calling traveling or palming the ball on every play😄

[@CoreyT127]

Unwatchable anymore.

[@debbiehenson1096]

Larry took a jr college team to the ncaa title game. Bird and Katelyn Clark, the goats.

[@robertohale6883]

best ever

[@donquique1]

33 is the best ever.

[@CoreyT127]

He scored 40 points ? 1 in every 6 games in college. And 30 points ? 4 outta every 10 games approx! Unbelievable 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@SamKnause]

Thank you for the awesome video.