Under head coach Al McGuire, Marquette dominated the 1970s as the program became a national powerhouse, including a series-record 15 straight victories from 1969 to 1978 that inflamed tensions to their then-high.

[7] During the stretch, Marquette was ranked in the Top 12 for all but one year, while the Badgers entered unranked each season.

[4] One of the most memorable games occurred in 1974, as the Golden Eagles' Maurice Lucas hit a 20-foot jumpshot as time expired to lift Marquette to a 59–58 victory.

[8] In celebration, McGuire jumped onto the scorer's table and raised his fists as Badgers coach John Powless walks away dejectedly.

[8] Wisconsin finally snapped the streak in 1978 after McGuire retired,[4] flipping the narrative on the series after a 65 to 52 victory.