D-Wade or Al McGuire?

[NersEllenson]

Tough question - but just curious to see how we see this debate.  Share your year of MU attendance/graduation or year you became a fan..along with your answer..

I voted D-Wade.  1997 Alum.

[CAINMUTINY]

I'm the biggest Wade fan but the guy couldn't hold Al's jock strap (I'm 28, not 82 BTW).  Al put Marquette on the map and brought home more than a decade of top 10 teams, and while wade carried a team to the final four it just can't compare to the work Al did on behalf of Marquette.

[Skatastrophy]

For alumni I think the majority would answer McGuire.

For recruiting and incoming students it has to be DWade.

[Blackhat]

I became a fan in '94?? when I was a young kid watching MU make the sweet sixteen by pummeling Kentucky and then playing Duke.  

That was the bait and the hook was set in 1999 when Crean came on.   I was excited by his potential.

Looking back I'd give the credit to Kevin O'Neil though.

(I don't think that answers the op's question but whatever.)

[TJ]

Not even close.  There is no Wade without Al.

[HoopsMalone]

If there was no Al at Marquette, Wade's teams would be like Steph Curry's teams at Davidson.  Al established MU as a credible national program.

[The Lens]

Watch the Final Four...you can almost always bet the over of 2.5 for Al mentions during the 3 games.

You could also bet the under of .5 for Wade.

Wade is big now.  Al is big always.

[77ncaachamps]

Recent relevance suggests DWade.
But Legacy means "for prosperity" and that is AL.

Invoke the spirited 1977 Championship run, you're invoking AL.
Invoke the glorious hey-days of MU basketball, you're - so far, still - invoking AL.


DWade played on Al McGuire Court.

NUFF SAID.


A&S 1997

[Goose]

Not even a contest. Al was and still is bigger than life. His legacy lives through the countless people he touched in his life. I am 47 years old and my kids range from 15-23 and all of them know more about Al's life than DWade's.

DWade was the best player ever to wear a Warrior jersey in my opinion but Al left a footprint that is bigger than life.

[Lennys Tap]

In college sports you just can't compare a coaching legend to any individual player. The contributions of Wooden at UCLA, Knight at IU, Coach K at Duke, etc., will always far outstrip those of even their brightest stars. The same is true regarding Al at Marquette.

I do think that D Wade is the  most important player ever to wear a Marquette uniform, edging out George Thompson. But he's not even in the same conversation with Al McGuire.

I'm a 1970 grad but I'm every bit as much of a fan now as I was during the McGuire era.

[mikem91288]

Graduating in May. Al made this place.


I agree with the Steph Curry Davidson comment .

[bilsu]

When I started MU in the fall of 1971 they were just closing the city streets that ran though the campus. There were 3 or 4 cross streets that ran from Wisconsin to Clybourn. In my time I saw several old buildings razed and several new buildings. A lot of that had to indirectly due with MU basketball under McGuire making MU a well known university. McGuire's impacted the whole University not just the basketball program.

[StillAWarrior]

DWade played on Al McGuire Court.

It's also worth pointing out that Al's name was on the front of Wade's jersey.

CJPA '91

[APieperFan3]

For alumni I think the majority would answer McGuire.

For recruiting and incoming students it has to be DWade.

my thoughts exactly.

[PBRme]

Why rank them, There is a stage full of people important to the Warrior legacy, Except DiUhlio he is dead last

[AlienWarrior]

I would have to go with a Warrior i.e. Mcguire 

[NersEllenson]

For alumni I think the majority would answer McGuire.

For recruiting and incoming students it has to be DWade.

Probably the best and most succienct point...guess my feeling is that DWade's association with MU helps tremendously in present day awareness/recruiting.  Al put MU on the map for sure, Wade is helping to keep MU on the map.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Al may have had a bigger impact after he retired.  He grew college basketball as a business with his commentary, quips and story telling.  In fact, he made Ray Meyer famous outside of Chicago, gave props to Digger, Dookie V., Fat Rick, Little Louie, Rollie, GT, etc..  He made college coaches the star--they should write a check to him every year as he never earned a fortune in coaching.  All of this spotlight also shined and continues to shine on MU.

[mu-rara]

Al may have had a bigger impact after he retired.  He grew college basketball as a business with his commentary, quips and story telling.  In fact, he made Ray Meyer famous outside of Chicago, gave props to Digger, Dookie V., Fat Rick, Little Louie, Rollie, GT, etc..  He made college coaches the star--they should write a check to him every year as he never earned a fortune in coaching.  All of this spotlight also shined and continues to shine on MU.

Al probably would have stayed at MU if coaches were paid as they are now. 

"F You...pay me."

[TomW1365]

I think you need an influential and successful Athlete/Coach in every generation to keep programs relevent in the present day.  Marquette had success before Al, grew to national prominence with Al, and while respected throughout the 80's and 90's, needed a fresh face with Final 4 success for a new generation.  
When Bob Knight retired from I.U, who picks up the pieces?  Who will bring in new recruits?  (for all the people who will start this into an anti-Crean thread).  While it all starts and stops with the coach, players having NBA success is a critical part of today's recruiting.  
Would North Carolina get the top recruits every year if they didn't have Jordan walk through their halls?
So, I voted for D-Wade.  

Regards,
Rebel Rowser from the Class of 2000

[TheRock]

New poster here...class of 09, had to chime in here.

What happens when DWade wins 4 straight NBA titles with LBJ?  I think that has to vault him ahead of Al, even though Al was more successful while at MU.

[GGGG]

Without Al, we're Saint Boneventure.

Without Al, there is no 1977

Without Al, DWade goes to DePaul

[ChicosBailBonds]

Tough question - but just curious to see how we see this debate.  Share your year of MU attendance/graduation or year you became a fan..along with your answer..

I voted D-Wade.  1997 Alum.

Without McGuire, MU isn't a power.  Thus, Wade doesn't even have MU on his radar in the 2000's. 

[Canadian Dimes]

New poster here...class of 09, had to chime in here.

What happens when DWade wins 4 straight NBA titles with LBJ?  I think that has to vault him ahead of Al, even though Al was more successful while at MU.

Like other posters have said without Al we are Loyola of Chicago or Drake or Bradley.  Al made Mu a household name in basketball circles.  Without Al chances are Dwade has never heard of MU.   Without Al Mu is not invited to the GMC conference. Without Al Mu is not in the C-USa when Dwade was in H.S.  Without Al Mu is not in the BE.   

[JWags85]

New poster here...class of 09, had to chime in here.

What happens when DWade wins 4 straight NBA titles with LBJ?  I think that has to vault him ahead of Al, even though Al was more successful while at MU.

See, the difference here is, no disrespect to Marquette, but Dwayne Wade is becoming more about the Miami Heat.  AL is and will always be connected to Marquette the minute you say his name.  Wade, while still extremely important to this program and this university, has become larger than life in the NBA, not while at Marquette.  So the association is not as direct to those not affiliated with the university.