Marquette Basketball 2025-26 Season Preview: Projected starting lineup, impact players and rotation explored

Marquette (23-11, 13-7 in Big East) failed to follow up on its Sweet Sixteen finish in the 2023-24 season. It lost to New Mexico in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

The early ouster was a tough pill to swallow for most players of the team, motivating them to make a return for the 2025-26 college basketball season.

With Kam Jones, David Joplin and Stevie Mitchell exhausting their eligibility, Marquette coach Shaka Smart will count on key returnees led by Chase Ross and Ben Gold, plus a bunch of talented freshmen to carry the load on offense.

Here's a closer look at the Golden Eagles' lineup going into their 2025-26 campaign.

Marquette basketball season preview for 2025-26

Chase Ross is expected to be Marquette's go-to guy for the 2025-26 season. (Image Source: IMAGN)

Starting Lineup

Guard: Nigel James Jr.

Nigel James Jr. played at Long Island Lutheran High School, where he was named 2024-25 EYBL Scholastic Sixth Man and Defensive Player of the Year. The six-foot guard averaged 11.3 points, 4.5 assists and 2.4 steals per game as a senior for LuHi.

Ranked among the top-100 prospects in the nation by 247 Sports, James is expected to thrive under Shaka Smart's tutelage and become one of the most exciting freshman guards this season.

Guard: Chase Ross

Chase Ross had a splendid junior season with the Golden Eagles, helping Kam Jones, David Joplin and Stevie Mitchell on both sides of the court. The 6-5 incoming senior was the fourth-best scorer on the team, averaging 10.5 points per game.

Ross was the team's second-best swiper at 1.8 steals per contest to go along with 3.8 rpg and 2.1 apg last season. Marquette will rely more on the guard's offense this season, hoping that he'll carry the Golden Eagles back to the NCAA Tournament.

Forward: Michael Phillips

Freshman Michael Phillips is an intriguing prospect at the wing position for Marquette. The 6-6 forward was initially a No. 33-ranked prospect in the Class of 2026, but he reclassified a month later to play for the Golden Eagles.

The 18-year-old has a good shooting stroke, is athletic and is a good defender who contests shots, per 247Sports.com.

Forward: Royce Parham

Royce Parham made a good account of himself in his freshman season with Marquette. The 6-8 forward delivered despite playing off the bench, averaging 5.1 points and 2.2 rebounds.

Parham is expected to contribute in the frontcourt for the Golden Eagles, as he can play both small forward and power forward spots efficiently.

Forward: Ben Gold

Incoming senior Ben Gold started in all 34 games last season for Marquette and the New Zealander is expected to be a focal point of the team's offense this season. The 6-11 Wellington-born forward averaged 7.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg last season for the Golden Eagles, as he was the team's top defender up front.

The lanky forward can also shoot from long range, making 37.1% of his attempts from the 3-point line. Opposing centers will have a long night if they let Gold open beyond the 15-foot line because he can knock down shots from that distance.

Rotation players

Comebacking Sean Jones heads the rotation players for Marquette this season. The 5-10 guard, who averaged 4.3 ppg, 1.0 rpg and 1.4 apg in two seasons with the Golden Eagles, redshirted the 2024-25 season to rehabilitate a torn ACL on his right knee.

Meanwhile, 7-1 center Joshua Clark is set to play his freshman season for Shaka Smart's team after redshirting last season. He's expected to anchor the second unit's defense and put in some instant offense as a towering big man.

Forwards Damarius Owens and Caedin Hamilton are also running it back for Marquette. They're also expected to contribute more on both sides of the floor as sophomore players.

Freshmen Adrien Stevens and Ian Miletic are also four-star prospects like Phillips and James. They're also ready to prove their worth as players for the Big East powerhouse. Other players returning for Marquette are guards Tre Norman, Zaide Lowery, Casey O'Malley and Jonah Lucas.

Impact players

Incoming seniors Chase Ross and Ben Gold and sophomore Royce Parham are expected to pick up the slack left by Kam Jones, David Joplin and Stevie Mitchell. The trio is expected to lead Shaka Smart's men to the Big East title picture this season.

However, Ross, Gold and Parham should receive a lot of help from returning players Sean Jones, Damarius Owens and Zaide Lowery.

Their freshmen recruits Adrien Stevens, Nigel James Jr, Ian Miletic and Michael Phillips are intriguing prospects as they're capable of mixing it up with their Big East rivals despite their young age.

Big man Joshua Clark is also returning from a 2024-25 redshirt season and his development as a center is widely awaited by Marquette fans who crave a tall and dominant player with the potential to block tons of shots.

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What can you say about Marquette's roster for the 2025-26 season? Let us know your insights in the comments section.