Indiana State Sycamores: Underrated Overachievers

Keith O'Brien's Heartland chronicles the 1978-79 Indiana State basketball team, led by Larry Bird, as they went 33-1 and reached the NCAA Tournament final.

The Indiana State Sycamores had always lived in the shadow of Indiana University. That was even more so in the 1970s when the program, under Coach Bobby Knight, grew into a perennial power. Meanwhile, the Sycamores fielded mediocre teams and struggled to fill their 9,000-seat field house.

Indiana State's plight would likely have continued if Bobby Knight had not made a misstep in recruiting Bird, who would go on to win three NBA championships with the Boston Celtics. Knight actually signed Bird, but failed to provide him with the support he needed to transition to campus life at a big university. Overwhelmed, Bird fled Indiana University and returned to French Lick.

If not for the dogged determination of Indiana State coaches Bob King and Bill Hodges, Bird would have likely faded into obscurity. Hodges, especially, was instrumental in getting Bird back on the court. He believed, rightly, that Bird was a generational talent, and one that could put the Sycamores on the map.

It was not all smooth sailing, however. While Bird provided an immediate boost, the first two seasons at Indiana State were disappointing. With weak rosters and coaching missteps, the Sycamores failed to make the NCAA Tournament and were instead relegated to the less prestigious National Invitation Tournament.

In Bird's final season, assistant coach Bill Hodges took over head coaching duties for an ailing Bob King. With Hodges' innovative tactics and the addition of key support players such as Carl Nicks and Bob Heaton, the Sycamores put together 33 consecutive victories, reaching the NCAA Final against the Michigan State Spartans, led by Magic Johnson.

That game, along with the legendary rivalry it sparked between Bird and Johnson, is credited with revitalizing the National Basketball Association, which had slumped in popularity by the end of the 1970s.

If you are a Larry Bird fan, some of the story will be familiar. However, it is interesting to see the season through the eyes of the Indiana State coaches, staff, and players. Bird didn't achieve the 33-1 season by his lonesome; the perspective of others creates a richer narrative. Of course, Bird, who never liked talking about himself, declined to participate in the project. His voice is missed. It would have been nice to have him give a mature look back at the season.

Still, if you like college and NBA basketball, give thanks to Bird and his Indiana State teammates. With the advent of the college transfer portal and player pay, underdog teams like the Sycamores may never exist again. Kudos to O'Brien for making sure we won't forget the 1978-79 magical season and why it was so special.

I received an advanced reading copy from NetGalley.com.