I mean,  come on. When North Carolina and Michigan State meet up, knowing that UNC previously walloped State by 35, odds are there’s not going to be too drastic a turnaround.

Needless to say, these weren’t the 1979 Spartans.

Of course, there’s been a lot of talk about that team since 1.) It’s the 30-year anniversary and 2.) It was Bird v. Johnson.

While Johnson’s team came out on top — and Johnson outscored Bird 24-19 – I’ve concluded that Larry Bird was the greater collegiate player.  Why? Well, it’s simple:

Indiana State sucks.

Seriously. This is a school that typically doesn’t even belong in the tournament (They’ve only been to two since that year.) Indiana State University making the big Dance is the equivalent of — oh, I don’t know — let’s say Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo making the Big Dance.

Never heard of Cal Poly? Well, that’s probably how it is for Indiana State. In fact, younger people probably think Bird went to Indiana University (He actually got a scholarship to IU but couldn’t stand the school’s size — the wimp — and left after 24 days.)

So picture a guy leading a team like Cal Poly not only to the tournament but all the way to the championship. That’s what Bird did. One game shy of being undefeated. (The last team to do that, by the way: Indiana University.)

Now, of course, Magic and his team did well also. But Michigan State without Magic was far better than Indiana State without Bird. So I gotta give far more credit to Larry Legend.

In the NBA, both players, of course, went on to greatness, becoming part of a legendary Lakers-Celtics rivalry. In the NBA, Bird would again lead his team of overachievers while Magic would be play for a much more talented cast.   In the end, of course, it’s the number of titles won that counts. The final tally:

LARRY BIRD

College championships: 0

NBA finals appearances: 5

NBA finals victories: 3

MAGIC JOHNSON

College championships: 1

NBA finals appearances: 9

NBA finals victories: 5

Nice freakin' logo. I got an idea, hire Ryantific to do your graphic work.

While I was thinking about how our country is spiraling toward a deep and dark depression*, a profound thought came to me:

What’s the deal with March Madness?

Now before I start with my criticism o the NCAA tournament, let me first say that I’m a Big Fan of the Big Dance. (Note the caps.)

It certainly beats the college football post-season format and its lame “championship game.” (As if you can judge the

two best teams based on their 6-game seasons.)

But the thing that irks me about the b-ball tournament is those crappy, undeserving teams that make it to the tourney.

Now, granted, I’m sure it’s a thrill for the 200 students at the University of Southeast Wisconsin-Racine** to see their 12-18 team get pounded by Duke. But it’s just not fair to all the much more worthy teams that had to sit at home and watch.

In most cases, any NIT team can probably wallop the lowest seeded teams in the Dance. In fact, a good number of junior college teams – and possibly some real good (girls) high school squads – could also give them a run for their money.

Still, while a good team like San Diego State probably won’t make the cut year, some lame Fairleigh Dickinson (Yes, that’s actually a school that made the tournament) will be there to give the top seed an easy victory. Of course, that makes it much more likely that the top seeds will meet up, which I guess is the intent.

It’s just that it seems to me that the tournament ought to feature the best and most deserving teams in college hoops. Not Coppin State because they got on a lucky roll in their crummy conference tournament.

* My employer just announced a third round of layoffs

** Yeah, I made it up