March Madness is here, and with it comes the chaos we all crave—buzzer-beaters, Cinderella runs, and championship dreams hanging by a thread. For Marquette, the stakes have never been higher. And for Dwyane Wade, the memories have never been stronger. The pressing question is how Dwyane Wade is supporting his alma mater, the Marquette Golden Eagles, this year.
Under Shaka Smart, the Golden Eagles have achieved a perfect 4-for-4 record in NCAA Tournament trips. But after falling short in the Big East Tournament finals for the first time since 2022, they’ve got their eyes locked on a bigger prize – the Big Dance. Marquette faces New Mexico on Friday, aiming to build on its tournament success under Shaka Smart. Each year under Smart, the Golden Eagles have advanced one round further. If that trend continues, an Elite Eight appearance could be in the cards. But the road ahead is far from easy.
Experts, including Jeff Goodman, suggest that Michigan State could thwart Marquette’s aspirations. Their Big 17, a nod to their size and depth might just be too much for the Golden Eagles to handle. Goodman made it clear on the The Field of 68: After Dark podcast: “This is Izzo’s year to get back,”. Still, obstacles or not, the Eagles aren’t backing down. And neither is Dwyane Wade, he’s all in on his squad. And his recent Instagram story is the proof of that.
NCAA, College League, USA Basketball: Providence at Marquette Feb 25, 2025 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA Former Marquette Golden Eagles player Dwyane Wade smiles timeout during the first half of the game against the Providence Friars at Fiserv Forum. Milwaukee Fiserv Forum Wisconsin USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJeffxHanischx 20250225_jah_sh5_018
The Eagles are locked in as they gear up for their next showdown against New Mexico on Friday, March 21, at Rocket Arena. And if their latest locker room energy is any clue, they’re more than ready. To fire up the squad, Marquette players were vibing to their team anthem, a hype ritual. It does seem to be a tradition at this point. And watching it all unfold Dwyane Wade couldn’t help but feel nostalgic. After all, he once rocked that same jersey, sang that same anthem, and lived those same moments.
Wade shared the team’s pregame hype session on his Instagram story, and his caption? It hit right in the feels for Marquette fans. Wade wrote, “Congrats on another tournament nod!!! We’re proud Alums!”. And if the Eagles needed an extra push Wade just did that.
Dwyane Wade’s 2003 March Madness run remains legendary
Before the NBA rings, the retired jersey, and that soon-to-be statue, Dwyane Wade was just a college kid putting Marquette on the map. Back in 2003, before Miami Heat fans were screaming his name, he dragged a small private school to its first Final Four in 26 years. With March Madness underway, Wade’s legendary run deserves a closer look.
Marquette rolled into the tourney as a No. 3 seed (23-4). Wade’s first-round game? Eh, nothing crazy, 15 points, five rebounds, and four assists in a too-close-for-comfort 72-68 win over No. 14 seed Holy Cross. But then? Boom. Switch flipped. He torched No. 6 Missouri with 24 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and two steals in a wild 101-92 shootout. That win sent Marquette to the Sweet 16 for the first time since ‘94. Then came No. 2 seed Pittsburgh. Another tough one, but Wade wasn’t backing down. He dropped a game-high 22 points, plus four assists, three steals, and a block in a 77-74 nail-biter. And just like that, Marquette punched their ticket to the Elite Eight, for the first time since they won it all in ‘77.
Then came No. 1 seed Kentucky – the heavy title favorite. Most expected Marquette to fold. Wade had other ideas. He pulled off one of the greatest performances in NCAA history: 29 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists, and four blocks in an 83-69 beatdown. He didn’t just carry his team, he willed them to the Final Four. Yeah, Marquette fell to Kansas in the semis, but Wade still led with 19 points. By the end of the season, he was averaging 21.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists.
Miami selected Wade with the No. 5 pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, setting the stage for a Hall of Fame career.
Wade’s 2003 run still stands as one of the greatest individual performances in NCAA history. As Marquette gears up for its next challenge, this year’s squad has a chance to carve out its own legacy. Can they channel Wade’s spirit and make their own Final Four push? The journey begins now.
The post Dwyane Wade Shares Locker Room Glimpse as Marquette Chases ‘Big Dance’ Glory Amid Expert’s Bold Take appeared first on EssentiallySports.
