Michigan State, Michigan show up on SI's list of most influential college basketball teams

Both Michigan State and Michigan are among Sports Illustrated's list of the most influential teams in college basketball history. The 1979 Michigan State Spartans team with Magic Johnson came in at No. 2 on the list, tied with the 1979 Indiana State Sycamores. The Michigan Wolverines Fab Five team of 1993 came in at sixth on the list.

Alex Wolff's list looked not at who was the best, but at which teams had long-lasting influence at all levels of the sport, from playground basketball to the pros. The '79 Spartans and Sycamores were ranked second on the list due to Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. Their meeting in the championship game was the highest-rated NCAA final ever and helped shape the popularity of basketball for years to come.

The Fab Five never won the championship, but five star freshmen all choosing the same school empowered the high school recruit. They changed the fashion of the game with their long shorts and increased the marketing of the individual collegiate athlete.

The 1964 UCLA Bruins topped the list of most influential teams.