Sports Illustrated100 Greatest Moments in Sports HistoryAll 100 moments
When the (March) Madness Began

30NCAA BBWhen the (March) Madness Began

Date

3/26/1979

Location

Special Events Center | Salt Lake City, Utah

Moment

An undefeated Larry Bird and Indiana State faced Magic Johnson and Michigan State in the 1979 NCAA men's national championship game. Magic scored a game-high 24 points and Michigan State went on to win 75-64 in what's reported to be the highest-rated college basketball broadcast of all time.

Impact

The game served as a launching pad for the rivalry between Bird and Magic, who would trade NBA titles throughout the '80s, and also helped launch basketball into the national sports conversation.

Original SI story