Ben Gold and Chase Ross help Marquette upset No. 4 UConn on their Senior Day

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Ben Gold and Chase Ross help Marquette upset No. 4 UConn on their Senior Day

Ben Steele, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel · Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Sat, Mar 7, 2026 ·

6 min read

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The Marquette men's basketball team has beaten top-10 opponents before in Shaka Smart's five seasons as head coach, including taking down No. 1 Kansas in 2023.

But the Golden Eagles ' 68-62 victory over No. 4 Connecticut on March 7 at Fiserv Forum might go down as the most significant one, even though it caps a very disappointing regular season.

First, the win shows how far the Golden Eagles have come since the dark days of early in the season, with the improvement impressing even hard-to-please UConn coach Dan Hurley. MU ( 12-19, 7-13 Big East ) denied the Huskies (27-4, 17-3) a chance to tie for the regular-season conference crown with St. John's.

Second, the upset adds more hope for the trajectory of the program. Nigel James Jr. , Adrien Stevens and Royce Parham – the cornerstones of MU's rebuild – combined for 40 points.

"It was fun going out there and competing," MU senior Ben Gold said. "We went into the game and kind of disregarded the number next to their name.

"They're just any other team that we go up against. That's the mind-set we had. People outside of here were looking at it like they were gonna win. We knew in our circle that we could do whatever it takes to win."

Box score | MU schedule | Standings

Ben Gold and Chase Ross have key moments on their Senior Day

It hasn't been the senior seasons that Gold and Chase Ross envisioned. Both have fought through significant injuries . But each had key moments to help seal the upset.

The 6-foot-4 Ross had a much-less obstrusive sleeve on his left shoulder, which popped out of place late in a victory at Georgetown on Feb. 24.

The left-handed Ross still nailed back-to-back 3-pointers for a 61-49 lead with 5:21 left.

"I can't really say it on camera, but Coach (Shaka Smart) always say 'Eff it shooting,' " Ross said. "That's what it was. Eff it shooting."

The 6-11 Gold has been battling through a right-ankle injury that will likely require surgery after the season. He rose up for a rebound and slammed home a putback dunk with just under 3 minutes remaining for a 64-56 advantage.

"I don't know, honestly," Gold said when asked how he was able to throw down the dunk. "Right place, right time."

Smart knew the significance of those plays for his two scholarship seniors.

"I think Dr. Lovell was up there affecting those shots," said Smart, referring to the late MU president Michael Lovell, who died in 2024 . "We've missed those shots a lot this year.

"We create a really good look and the game's on the line and it's kind of hanging in the balance. But you could tell when they left Chase's hands both times that they were in there.

"In our weight room we have pictures of all of our tip-dunks from the year. And I wouldn't say we lead the country. The guys have a competition. (Gold's dunk) was probably the basket of the game for us, because we needed one. Some balls had not gone in for us.

"I'm just so happy for those guys. Those two guys have been warriors. They're banged up. But you would never know it seeing how they fight."

Marquette guard Nigel James Jr. (0) tries to score on UConn guard Braylon Mullins (24) during the first half of their game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Marquette guard Chase Ross (2) reacts after being given a foul during the second half of their game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Marquette beat UConn 68-62.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

UConn head coach Dan Hurley is shown after his bend was given a technical foul during the second half of their game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Marquette beat UConn 68-62.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Marquette guard Chase Ross (2) fouls UConn guard Silas Demary Jr. (2) during the second half of their game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Marquette beat UConn 68-62.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Marquette head coach Shaka Smart hugs guard Chase Ross before their basketball game against UConn Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Ross was being honored for senior day.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Marquette guard Chase Ross (2) scores during the second half of their game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Marquette beat UConn 68-62.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Marquette forward Royce Parham (13) reacts after hitting a three-point basket during the second half of their game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Marquette beat UConn 68-62.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Marquette guard Adrien Stevens (10) and UConn forward Jayden Ross (23) vie for a loose ball during the second half of their game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Marquette beat UConn 68-62.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Marquette guard Adrien Stevens (10) scores on UConn center Eric Reibe (12) during the first half of their game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Marquette guard Chase Ross (2) makes a move on UConn forward Tarris Reed Jr. (5) during the first half of their game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Marquette guard Adrien Stevens (10) steals the ball from UConn forward Jayden Ross (23) during the first half of their game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Marquette guard Chase Ross (2) misses a three-point basket over UConn guard Braylon Mullins (24) during the first half of their game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Marquette forward Royce Parham (13) misses a dunk between UConn guard Silas Demary Jr. (2) forward Tarris Reed Jr. (5) during the first half of their game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Marquette guard Nigel James Jr. (0) scores on UConn forward Tarris Reed Jr. (5) during the first half of their game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Marquette guard Nigel James Jr. (0) is guarded by UConn guard Silas Demary Jr. (2) during the first half of their game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Marquette forward Royce Parham (13) fouls UConn guard Silas Demary Jr. (2) during the first half of their game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Marquette forward Royce Parham (13) is fouled by UConn guard Solo Ball (1) during the first half of their game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

UConn guard Solo Ball (1) beats Marquette guard Nigel James Jr. (0) to a rebound during the first half of their game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Marquette head coach Shaka Smart talks with guard Nigel James Jr. (0) and forward Damarius Owens (9) during the second half of their game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Marquette beat UConn 68-62.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

UConn guard Silas Demary Jr. (2) passes around Marquette guard Adrien Stevens (10) during the second half of their game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Marquette beat UConn 68-62.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

UConn forward Alex Karaban (11) is double-t5eamed by Marquette guard Tre Norman (5) and guard Nigel James Jr. (0) during the second half of their game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Marquette beat UConn 68-62.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Nigel James Jr., Adrien Stevens and Royce Parham also have their moments

Despite those big shots, the Golden Eagles had to hold tight for the win.

MU's young stars had put them in position to win. Parham, the sophomore forward who is a mismatch problem for foes , had scored eight straight points, including back-to-back 3-pointers, to kickstart an 11-0 run in the second half that gave MU control.

The freshman backcourt of Nigel James Jr. and Adrien Stevens also made big plays. They combined for five steals, part of an inspired defensive effort that harrassed Connecticut into 3-for-24 shooting on 3-pointers and 16 turnovers.

"More belief in themselves," Smart said. "More belief in each other.

"They've gotten some reps. They've gotten some reps that haven't gone our way and gotten some reps that have gone our way."

True to form for this MU team, the win didn't come easy.

Despite star guard Alex Karaban not making a field goal for the first time in his four seasons with the Huskies, Connecticut kept fighting back and got within 64-62 with 43.7 seconds left on two free throws by Tarris Reed.

James missed a shot in the lane, but MU's defense got the stop it needed in the final seconds.

UConn Dan Hurley ejected in final minutes after appearing to bump referee

UConn head coach Dan Hurley is shown after a technical foul during the second half Saturday at Fiserv Forum. Marquette beat UConn, 68-62.

The stop sealed the upset, but didn't put an end to the emotions.

Hurley was upset that guard Silas Demary Jr. didn't get a foul call on his drive in the waning seconds.

Hurley picked up two technical fouls and was ejected. It looked as though Hurley bumped official John Gaffney, but the coach didn't think so.

"You could screen-shot whatever you want to screen-shot," Hurley said. "I don't feel like I made any contact with John. I don't believe I did."

Despite Hurley's displeasure, he had many complimentary things to say about MU's improvement this season.

"I said that to Shaka before the game, like 'I can't believe what your team looks like right now,' " Hurley said. "Because when we played them the first time, they were bad on offense and bad on defense.

"They were just so young. They were so, so young. They had a brutal non-conference. It was tough sledding.

"But when you have a culture like this and a coach like this ... they got one of the best cultures in college basketball."

Marquette guard Chase Ross greets fans after their game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Marquette beat UConn 68-62.

Marquette 's probable starters

Guards:Nigel James Jr., Adrien Stevens, Chase Ross

Forwards:Ben Gold, Royce Parham

Marquette vs UConn prediction

MU has come a long way from the dark days of early in the season. But the Golden Eagles just can't hang with a team like the Huskies who have national championship aspirations. The off-season is coming very soon for the Golden Eagles to address that talent disparity.

Prediction:UConn 81, MU 68

What channel is Marquette vs UConn on today? TV, livestream

TV: Fox (Channel 6 in Milwaukee )
Stream: You can stream the game on the Fox Sports or Fox One app, and Fubo has a free trial for new subscribers.
Announcers: Tim Brando (play-by-play) and Donny Marshall (analyst) will call the action.