To have fun SLAM’s thirtieth anniversary, we’re spotlighting the 30 most influential males’s school groups from our previous 30 years. Stats, data and chips aren’t the primary issue right here, it’s all about their contribution to the sport’s cultural material.
For the following 30 days—Monday via Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full record right here. We’ve additionally received an unique retro collegiate assortment, out now, that pays homage to every squad’s threads. Store right here.
“Nearly Jordan-like in his early days when the soar shot is falling,” the play-by-play broadcaster mentioned as Marquette’s Dwyane Wade hit a long-range shot in opposition to Kentucky within the Elite Eight of the 2003 NCAA Event.
In additional methods than one, the 2 gamers had been similar to one another. Jordan’s arrival in Chicago signaled a brand new period of dominance for the Bulls, whereas Wade’s tenure at Marquette rejuvenated this system and propelled it to nationwide prominence.
And similar to the Bulls, the Golden Eagles left a long-lasting mark on their league’s historical past.
On the helm of this Wisconsinite powerhouse was the mastermind himself, Tom Crean. The suit-and-tie-wearing teaching genius molded his gamers into bucket-getting hoopers. His emphasis on relentless protection and fast-paced offense turned Marquette right into a whirlwind of chaos for any matchup within the nation. Below his steerage, the Golden Eagles flew excessive, profitable the hearts of basketball followers throughout the nation.
A high-flying, sharp-shooting Wade was on the middle of the group’s success.
Wade was all you might ever need in a primary possibility: his quickness helped him blow by defenders. He might levitate for emphatic posters and knock down massive pictures constantly. The Chicago native was one of many hottest gamers within the NCAA throughout his junior season, averaging 21.5 factors, 6.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists and a couple of.2 steals.
Although Marquette might all the time depend on Wade’s star energy, the squad additionally thrived on collective brilliance. Alongside Wade had been Travis Diener, Robert Jackson and Steve Novak, who epitomized the essence of group basketball.
Diener dished out dimes left and proper, thriving because the group’s major facilitator. Senior ahead Jackson was a brawny bully contained in the paint, punishing any defender who stood between him and the rim – the Milwaukee, WI native averaged 15.4 factors and seven.5 rebounds per sport. Off the bench was an rising star in Novak, who knocked down 50.5 p.c of his shot makes an attempt from behind the arc as a freshman.
From Wade to the twelfth man on the sting of the bench, every participant introduced a novel ability set to the court docket, complementing one another with selfless play. Collectively, they grew to become probably the most explosive offenses within the Convention USA, able to giving any Blue Blood and prime collegiate group a run for his or her cash.
And it confirmed in time for March Insanity.
The Golden Eagles began their postseason marketing campaign with a showdown in opposition to Holy Cross, setting the stage for a conflict of teaching titans as Crean confronted off in opposition to his mentor, Ralph Willard. Regardless of a sluggish begin and Wade battling foul bother, Marquette rallied behind Diener’s sizzling hand to safe a hard-fought victory, one which helped him shake off the ghosts of previous postseason disappointments.
Marquette’s most dramatic sport got here within the second spherical, the place they discovered themselves locked in an time beyond regulation thriller in opposition to Missouri. With Wade main the cost and freshman sharpshooter Novak seizing his second within the highlight, the Golden Eagles soared to victory in a sport that embodied the spirit of March Insanity—heart-stopping motion, clutch performances, and an unwavering willpower to win.
The Golden Eagles then survived a slender win in opposition to Pittsburgh within the Candy Sixteen to punch their ticket to the Elite Eight in thrilling vogue.
In what could be the largest sport in program historical past, Marquette clashed with basketball royalty in Kentucky, a showdown that may take a look at their firepower and outline their legacy. With Wade delivering a virtuoso triple-double efficiency for the ages that includes 29 factors, 11 rebounds, 11 assists and 4 blocks, the Golden Eagles ended the first-seeded Wildcats’ 26-game profitable streak on their option to this system’s third-ever Closing 4 look.
Though they did not hoist the nationwide championship trophy in the long run, Wade’s heroics and stardom elevated Marquette to nationwide prominence. Throughout the Golden Eagles fanbase, the Windy Metropolis native instilled pleasure and hope, similar to Jordan’s impression on Chicago within the 80s.
Pictures through Getty Photographs.