Marquette Basketball: A New Era Dawns
Forget the transfer portal – at least for now! Shaka Smart, the coach of Marquette basketball, is sticking to his guns and building the team from within. But is this strategy enough to keep the Golden Eagles soaring? Let's dive in.
We're back with our annual countdown of the top college basketball teams, and today, we're spotlighting Marquette, ranked at No. 42 for the upcoming season. Each day, we're revealing a new team until we reach the top spot.
After a disappointing early exit from the NCAA Tournament last season, Marquette is looking to make a statement. But with significant changes to the roster, can they reach their full potential?
The Golden Eagles are facing some serious questions. With their top three scorers gone, the team is in a period of transition. Only Chase Ross, who averaged over 10 points per game last year, returns as a key player. But don't count out the rest of the returning players, including Ben Gold and promising freshmen like Royce Parham and Damarius Owens.
Adding to the mix is a talented freshman class, featuring potential starting point guard Nigel James Jr. and top-100 recruit Sheek Pearson. Michael Phillips II, who reclassified from the 2026 class, also joins the roster. And let's not forget Sean East II, who's returning from a torn ACL and could make a big impact.
Is this Marquette team intriguing? Absolutely! Is it packed with talent? I think so. And does Shaka Smart consistently improve his players? Without a doubt. So, while the Golden Eagles remain a team to watch in the Big East, their path to success might be a bit less certain than in previous years.
- Head Coach: Shaka Smart (5th season at Marquette, 17th overall)
- 2024-25 Record: 23-11 (13-7)
- 2025 Postseason Finish: Lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament
Key Departures:
- Kam Jones (19.2 PPG)
- David Joplin (14.2 PPG)
- Stevie Mitchell (10.7 PPG)
Notable Non-Conference Games:
- vs. Indiana (Nov. 9) – Chicago
- vs. Maryland (Nov. 15)
- vs. Dayton (Nov. 19)
- vs. Oklahoma (Nov. 28) – Chicago
- at Wisconsin (Dec. 6)
- at Purdue (Dec. 13)
Projected Rotation:
- PG: Nigel James Jr. (Fr.)
- 247Sports Composite #88-ranked recruit
- SG: Chase Ross (Sr.)
- 2024-25 Stats: 10.5 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.8 SPG, 36.5% 3P
- SF: Zaide Lowery (Jr.)
- 2024-25 Stats: 4.1 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 0.2 APG, 37.5% 3P
- PF: Royce Parham (So.)
- 2024-25 Stats: 5.1 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 0.4 APG
- C: Ben Gold (Sr.)
- 2024-25 Stats: 7.4 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 0.9 APG, 37.1% 3P
- 6: Sean Jones (Jr.)
- Missed 2024-25 season with Torn ACL
- 2023-24 Stats: 5.8 PPG, 2.0 APG, 1.5 RPG
- 7: Damarius Owens (So.)
- 2024-25 Stats: 2.6 PPG, 1.2 RPG, 0.5 APG, 34.3% FG, 34.4% 3P, 9.5 MPG
- 8: Sheek Pearson (Fr.)
- 247Sports Composite #70-ranked recruit
- 9: Michael Phillips II (Fr.)
- 247Sports Composite #144-ranked recruit
- 10: Tre Norman (Jr.)
- 2024-25 Stats: 1.9 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 0.5 APG, 34.4% FG, 18.8% 3P, 8.9 MPG
- 11: Caedin Hamilton (So.)
- 2024-25 Stats: 1.5 PPG, 1.2 RPG, 0.6 APG, 38.6% FG, 6.3 MPG
- 12: Joshua Clark (So.)
- 247Sports 3-star recruit (2024)
- 13: Adrien Stevens (Fr.)
- 247Sports Composite #131-ranked recruit
- 14: Ian Miletic (Fr.)
- 247Sports Composite #201-ranked recruit
Marquette's MVP: Chase Ross
Chase Ross, Marquette's fourth-leading scorer last season, is back for his senior year. While he may not be a superstar, he's got the potential to shine in the Big East. He proved his scoring ability last year, dropping 20+ points twice and 15+ points in six Big East games. Now, with a bigger role, Ross has the chance to become a star.
Marquette's Make-or-Break Player: Damarius Owens
Damarius Owens, a Rochester, New York native, is poised to make a significant impact. Despite limited playing time early last season, he earned more minutes, showcasing his potential as a versatile scorer. His ability to play multiple positions could be crucial for Marquette.
Key Statistic: Turnovers
Marquette's ability to take care of the ball is a key factor. Last season, they averaged only 9.4 turnovers per game, ranking among the lowest in the NCAA. This is a significant advantage, especially with most of the team returning. If the freshmen can integrate well, Marquette should remain a team that values possessions.
2025-26 Projections:
- Projected Conference Finish: 4th in the Big East
- Projected Postseason Ceiling: NCAA Tournament Round of 64
What do you think? Do you agree with the analysis? Who do you think will be the breakout player for Marquette this season? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
