Author Keith O'Brien on Larry Bird and Indiana State episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 30, 2026 · 34 MIN

Author Keith O'Brien on Larry Bird and Indiana State

from Sports History Network

Fans know the 1979 NCAA Championship Game as a classic showdown between Indiana State and Michigan State, and the first chapter in the Bird/Magic rivalry. Fewer know the fully story of ISU's cinderella run to the championship game, and of how close Larry Bird came to ending his legendary career before it even started. Just in time for the Final Four, author Keith O'Brien joins us to discuss his new book, "Heartland: A Forgotten Place, an Impossible Dream, and the Miracle of Larry Bird". It tells the story of how a young man from French Lick led a team from Terra Haute to the summit of college basketball. Hello Old Sports is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Your Favorite Sport's Yesteryear. Contact the show at [email protected] and find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HelloOldSports

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Mar 30, 2026

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Author Keith O'Brien on Larry Bird and Indiana State

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