Has Marquette ever won a National Championship in Basketball?
Marquette University has been a fixture in college basketball since its formation in 1909, and has been a member of the NCAA Division I since 1978. The Golden Eagles have had a long history of success in college basketball, but have never won a National Championship. Despite this, Marquette has been a consistent presence in the top 25 rankings and has produced some of the best players in the game.
Early History
Marquette’s basketball program started in 1909, just two years after the school was founded. The first head coach of the team was Frank “Doc” Gagnier, who had previously been a successful coach at the University of Wisconsin. The fledgling squad struggled in its first few years, but by 1913, things began to turn around. The team won the state championship that year and followed it up with a runner-up finish the following season.
The Al McGuire Era
Marquette’s basketball team truly began to take off in the 1960s when Al McGuire was hired as head coach. McGuire was a marquette-alumnus and former basketball player, and he quickly turned the team into a national powerhouse. He led the team to seven NCAA tournament appearances, including a Final Four run in 1970.
The Bo Ellis Years
After Al McGuire’s retirement in 1977, the team was taken over by Bo Ellis. Ellis had been a star player under McGuire and he continued the team’s success. In his first season, he led the team to the Elite Eight and they followed it up with another Elite Eight appearance in 1979.
The Al McGuire Center
In 1984, the Al McGuire Center was opened in honor of the team’s former head coach. The center is home to the men’s and women’s basketball teams as well as the school’s athletic department. The center was built to be a state-of-the-art facility and has been the home of Marquette basketball ever since.
The Rise of Marquette Basketball
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the team began to experience unprecedented success. Led by players such as Dwayne Wade, Dwyane Wade and Steve Novak, the Golden Eagles won three consecutive conference tournament titles from 2003-2005. In 2006, they reached the Final Four for the first time since 1977 and went on to win the conference tournament again in 2007.
Marquette’s NCAA Tournament Appearances
Marquette has made 26 NCAA Tournament appearances, the most recent being in 2019. The Golden Eagles have advanced to the Sweet Sixteen nine times and the Elite Eight three times. They have also made two appearances in the Final Four, in 1970 and 2003.
The National Championship Game
In 2003, the Golden Eagles reached the National Championship game, where they faced off against the University of Kansas. The game was a close one, but Kansas ultimately prevailed, winning the game by a score of 83-69. Despite the loss, it was still an impressive feat for Marquette, as the team had not been to the National Championship game in 33 years.
Notable Players
Over the years, Marquette has produced some of the best players in college basketball. Some of the most notable include:
- Dwyane Wade – Wade won the 2003 National Player of the Year award and was the fifth overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. He played for the Miami Heat for 15 years, winning three NBA championships and one MVP award.
- Steve Novak – Novak was a four-year starter at Marquette and was named to the All-Big East first team in 2005. He was drafted in the first round of the 2006 NBA Draft and went on to have a successful NBA career.
- Al McGuire – McGuire was the head coach of the Golden Eagles from 1964-1977 and led the team to one National Championship game appearance. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992.
- Bob Dandridge – Dandridge was a four-year starter at Marquette and was named an All-American in 1969. He went on to play in the NBA for 12 seasons, winning two championships with the Washington Bullets.
The Future of Marquette Basketball
Marquette basketball has been a fixture in the NCAA for over 100 years and has consistently been one of the best teams in the Big East conference. Despite never winning a national championship, the Golden Eagles have been a consistent presence in the top 25 rankings and have produced some of the best players in the game.
The future of Marquette basketball looks bright with the team currently ranked in the top 25 and the new head coach Shaka Smart having a great track record of success. Marquette has the potential to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament in the near future, and perhaps even win its first ever National Championship.
Conclusion
Marquette University has had a long and successful history in college basketball, but has yet to win a National Championship. Despite this, the Golden Eagles have consistently been one of the top teams in the college game, appearing in the NCAA tournament 26 times and reaching the Final Four twice. The team has also produced some of the best players in the game, such as Dwyane Wade and Steve Novak. With new head coach Shaka Smart at the helm, Marquette basketball looks primed to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament and perhaps even win its first ever National Championship.