College career
Larry Bird played basketball in college for the Indiana State Sycamores. He was forced to redshirt a season and didn't begin playing for the Sycamores until the 1976-77 season. Bird excelled in first season as a Sycamore averaging 33 points and 13 rebounds per game. In Bird's second season ISU he was named an All-American and lead his team to the NIT quarterfinals where they lost to Rutgers in a close and exciting game. Despite the disappointing ending to the season, Bird was recognized as one of the top players in college basketball. In Bird's third and final season at ISU he averaged 29 points and 15 rebounds per game, leading his team to an undefeated season. After leading ISU to a perfect regular season, Bird and the Sycamores ran through the NCAA Tournament. They finally made it to the NCAA Championship game where Bird faced Magic Johnson and the Michigan State Spartans. The Spartans defeated the Sycamores in Bird's final college basketball game of his life, holding him to only 19 points.