Only a few states love basketball more than Indiana, and that fandom surely extends to the Indiana State Sycamores. Even as a small school, there is so much love for basketball that it’s not easy to find cheap Indiana State basketball tickets. The Sycamores are one of the oldest college basketball teams in the country and have a storied history of success. As members of the Missouri Valley Conference, the Sycamores are always eager to get a chance to compete on a big stage, which keeps last-minute Indiana State basketball tickets in high demand year after year.

Once Upon a Time

In the 1940s and 50s, Indiana State was a basketball powerhouse at the NAIA level. The Sycamores reached the NAIA national championship game in both 1946 and 1948, falling short on both occasions. They also reached the Final Four in 1949, 1950, and 1953, with 1950 being the year they took the program’s only national championship.

The Bird Show

After making the move to the Division 1 level, Indiana State had a dream season during the 1978-79 campaign. Behind Hall of Famer Larry Bird, the Sycamores remained undefeated all season until the national championship game, ultimately losing one of the most memorable title games in college basketball history to Magic Johnson and Michigan State. Nevertheless, that tournament and Bird’s legacy have ensured that nobody forgets that Indiana State is a proud basketball program.

Coming Alive Again

Since the 1979 run to the title game, NCAA Tournament appearances have been few and far between for Indiana State. The Sycamores didn’t get back to the Big Dance until 2000, and they didn’t win another tournament game until an upset victory over Oklahoma in 2001. However, head coach Greg Lansing has brought pride back to the program. He took Indiana State to the NCAA Tournament in 2011, his first season at the helm. Since then, he’s kept the Sycamores relevant in the Missouri Valley, making them a team to watch closely in one of the best mid-major conferences in the country.