What record did the 1979 final set?

Highest TV rating for a college basketball game

What made Magic unusual as a point guard?

He was about 6 feet 9 inches tall

Magic Johnson Michigan State Quiz: The 1979 Title Game

This Magic Johnson Michigan State quiz relives the college season that began basketball's greatest rivalry. Play 10 interactive questions on Lansing, how he got his nickname, coach Jud Heathcote, the 1979 final against Indiana State, Larry Bird, record TV ratings, the Most Outstanding Player award and the Lakers draft.

Start Magic Johnson Michigan State Quiz

🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 150 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 150s

Home
Which Michigan city is Magic Johnson from?
Name
What is Magic Johnson's real first name?
Nickname
Who gave him the name Magic?
Coach
Who coached Michigan State in 1979?
Final
Which team did Michigan State beat in the 1979 final?
Rival
Which star led Indiana State?
TV
What record did the 1979 final set?
MOP
Which award did Magic win at the 1979 Final Four?
Position
What made Magic unusual as a point guard?
Draft
Which NBA team drafted him first in 1979?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: Which Michigan city is Magic Johnson from?
Answer: Lansing
Michigan State is nearby.
Q2: What is Magic Johnson's real first name?
Answer: Earvin
Magic is a nickname.
Q3: Who gave him the name Magic?
Answer: A local sportswriter
It began in high school.
Q4: Who coached Michigan State in 1979?
Answer: Jud Heathcote
He recruited Magic.
Q5: Which team did Michigan State beat in the 1979 final?
Answer: Indiana State
They won 75 to 64.
Q6: Which star led Indiana State?
Answer: Larry Bird
Their rivalry continued in the NBA.
Q7: What record did the 1979 final set?
Answer: Highest TV rating for a college basketball game
Millions tuned in.
Q8: Which award did Magic win at the 1979 Final Four?
Answer: Most Outstanding Player
He dazzled with passing.
Q9: What made Magic unusual as a point guard?
Answer: He was about 6 feet 9 inches tall
Size helped his vision.
Q10: Which NBA team drafted him first in 1979?
Answer: Los Angeles Lakers
He won five titles there.

Magic Johnson Michigan State Quiz – The 1979 Title Game

Earvin Johnson grew up in Lansing, Michigan, and earned the nickname Magic from a local sportswriter as a high school star. He stayed home to play for Michigan State under coach Jud Heathcote.

At about 6 feet 9 inches, he was a point guard with rare size and vision. In 1979 Michigan State reached the national final against Indiana State and Larry Bird.

Michigan State won 75 to 64, and Magic was named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player. The game set a TV ratings record, and the Lakers drafted Magic first overall that year.

What This Quiz Teaches

Basketball fans will enjoy these questions.

Where he grew up
How he got his nickname
Who coached him
How the final went
Where he went next

Did You Know?

He played only two college seasons.
Magic and Bird later became close friends.
He won NBA Finals MVP as a rookie.
He played on the 1992 Dream Team.
Michigan State retired his number 33.