Florida Gators
Lady Razorback Day Two
A Gators Fan Guide to Marquette. FYI, they are no longer the Warriors
Thursday, March 22, 2012 | Men's Basketball, Women's Golf, Scott Carter
MEET MARQUETTE
They were called the Warriors when current Celtics coach Doc Rivers was dishing out assists at the Mecca in the early 1980s. They are now known as the Golden Eagles.
And make no mistake, this small Catholic, Jesuit university has some hoops history.
Here is a look at Florida's opponent in the Sweet 16 tonight in Phoenix:
Location: Milwaukee, Wis.
Founded: 1881
Enrollment: Approximately 8,400 undergraduates; 3,600 graduate and professional students
Colors: Marquette blue and gold
Nickname: Golden Eagles
HOOPS INFO
Coach: Buzz Williams (96-44, 4th season)
NCAA Tournament: 30 appearances, including seven consecutive
NCAA Record: 38-30
Projected lineup: G Junior Cadougan (5.4 apg), G Darius Johnson-Odom (18.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg), G Vander Blue (8.5 ppg), F Jae Crowder (17.6 ppg, 8.4 rpg), F Jamil Wilson (7.1 ppg)
FIGHTING CHAMPS
The 1977 Marquette team won the school's only national championship under the direction of colorful coach Al McGuire, whose plaid pants and New York banter made him one of the game's great characters until his death in 2001. In a first-round game against Cincinnati in '77, McGuire didn't like the way sharpshooter Bernard Toone was playing, so he pulled him in the first half. Toone didn't like getting yanked from the game, so when McGuire confronted him in the locker room at halftime, the two got into a scuffle that had to be broken up by assistant coach Rick Majerus. The fight seemed to ignite the Warriors as they went on to win a national title.
Members of the 1977 Marquette Basketball team. Left to right: Jim Boylan, Bill Neary, Ulice Payne, Butch Lee, Jim Dudley, Gary Rosenberger, Bernard Toone, Jerome Whitehead, Craig Butrym, Robert Byrd and Bo Ellis. -- SI.com
(Photo: Marquette University archives)
HISTORY LESSON
Marquette began as a dream of the Most Rev Martin J. Henni, the first Catholic bishop of Milwaukee. According to the school's official website, when Marquette College finally opened three decades after Henni first put his plan into motion, he died two days later apparently satisfied his work was done. The school is named after Rev. Jacques Marquette, a French missionary and explorer in North America.
FAMOUS ALUMNI
Chris Farley -- Actor who starred on "Saturday Night Live" and later established a film career.
Dwyane Wade -- NBA star for the Miami Heat who led Miami to the NBA title in 2006.
Joe McCarthy -- U.S. Senator from Wisconsin during the Cold War who is responsible for the term McCarthyism for his often reckless allegations of communism during the U.S.-Russia tension.
Rick Majerus -- Head basketball coach at Saint Louis University who has also worked as a TV commentator and served as head coach at other Division I programs including Utah.
(Photo: Farley)
DANCING BUZZ
Marquette coach Buzz Williams gets a little excited at times, which makes him a favorite among the players.
"There's no telling what you might see from our coach,'' Golden Eagles guard Darius Johnson-Odom said Wednesday. "He's very enthusiastic about what he does. I think that's why a lot of people love him."
Well, at least those outside Morgantown, W.Va.
Following a Marquette win at West Virginia last month, Williams danced at midcourt on West Virginia's logo as "Take Me Home, Country Road" blared over the speakers.
The fans didn't like it.
Williams reiterated once again on Wednesday that he probably shouldn't have done that.
"My dancing career is over,'' he said. "That was unprofessional."
Maybe. But it was fun to watch.
