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The Game That Turned March Mad

On March 26, 1979, Magic Johnson’s Michigan State faced Larry Bird’s Indiana State in an epic final that changed the NCAA tournament forever. Seth Davis recalls the hours before battle.

Seth Davis

Published Mar. 17 2009 3:55PM EDT

articles/2009/03/17/the-game-that-turned-march-mad/davis-larry-bird-magic-johnson-01_cysbgp — AP Photo

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articles/2009/03/17/the-game-that-turned-march-mad/davis-larry-bird-magic-johnson-01_nvrtza

The narrative was set. This was not a championship game between Michigan State and Indiana State.

Seth Davis

Seth Davis

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