#10: The Epic 1979 NCAA Championship Game

The 1979 NCAA Championship Game became one of the most iconic matchups in college basketball history. Larry Bird’s Indiana State faced off against Magic Johnson’s Michigan State, a clash of styles, personalities, and schools.

Over 35 million people tuned in, making it the most-watched college basketball game ever. Bird struggled in the game, and Indiana State lost, but the moment ignited one of sports’ greatest rivalries. It was the birth of Bird vs. Magic—a duel that would carry into the NBA and redefine the league.