Magic Johnson back in East Lansing

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Magic Johnson was home Tuesday night.

He just had to remember not to get too excited about it.

"I have to be a professional tonight," Johnson said before joining ESPN's broadcast of No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 4 Michigan State. "I'd be lying if I didn't say I wanted Michigan State to win — I hate it when they lose — but I've got a job to do."

Unfortunately for Johnson, his alma mater lost 72-68 after a late rally by the Hoosiers.

Still, Johnson jumped at the chance to return to East Lansing as a broadcaster.

"They didn't even have to pay me for this — I'm here at the Breslin, back home, to see two of the best teams in the country," he said. "I would have been watching the game at home anyway, so this is even better. I get to soak in the atmosphere."

Johnson, whose jersey hangs from the Breslin Center rafters, said that the Big Ten is almost as strong today as it was when he was winning the national title with the Spartans in 1979.

"When I was there, we had the No. 1 pick almost every year, and we had great depth across the league," he said. "The Big Ten is close to that again. It is, by far, the best conference in the country, and it has at least four teams that have a real shot at winning the tournament. We're seeing two of them tonight."

He also paid tribute to the late Dr. Jerry Buss, the owner of the Lakers who became Johnson's business mentor.

"Dr. Buss was like a second father to me, and the things he taught me are the reason I own the Dodgers today," he said. "I wouldn't be the man I am today, and I definitely wouldn't be the businessman I am today, if it weren't for all the things he did for me."