MILWAUKEE — NCAA teams are gearing up to face off in March Madness tournaments, also known as the "Big Dance.”

But where does the nickname come from?

Wisconsin can lay claim to that legendary March Madness phrase.

Its roots come from 1977, when former Marquette men’s basketball coach Al McGuire was asked if he’d be wearing a lucky blazer while coaching in that year’s NCAA Tournament.

He replied with a resounding “absolutely,” then quipped, “You gotta wear the blue blazer when you go to the big dance.”

In that same year, Marquette and McGuire went on to win the national title, defeating North Carolina 67-59. It was also McGuire’s final year at Marquette.

Since that season, Marquette has only made its way to the Final Four one other time in 2003. In total, the team has made 37 NCAA Tournament appearances.

In 2024, Marquette made it to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2013, but ultimately, lost to North Carolina.

This year, Marquette faces New Mexico in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday, March 21 in Cleveland. The Golden Eagles are ranked eighth in the Big East.