(MARQUETTE COMMUNICATIONS) – The Marquette University men’s basketball team (9-17, 4-11 BIG EAST) continues BIG EAST Conference play on Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 8 p.m. CT when the team hosts No. 17 St. John’s (20-5, 13-1 BIG EAST) on Al’s Night in Fiserv Forum.
Following Wednesday’s action, the Golden Eagles will enjoy their second bye week in league action, not returning to play until traveling to Georgetown on Tuesday, Feb. 24.
Al McGuire Ties Marquette And St. John’s
The all-time series (Marquette leads 29-20) began in 1959-60 and prior to the clinching of the BIG EAST title on the last day of the regular season in 2012-13, the series’ top highlight was a 65-53 Marquette victory in the championship game of the 1970 NIT.
MU claimed the NIT title under the direction of legendary head coach Al McGuire, who played for three seasons at St. John’s (1948-51). In his first season with the Redmen, he finished third in scoring (8.1 ppg.).
McGuire’s coaching career at Marquette included the 1977 national title, nine NCAA tournament appearances and a 295-80 overall record. Marquette celebrates “Al’s Night” each season when the Red Storm visit Milwaukee.
James tabbed Big East freshman of the week: Marquette University guard Nigel James Jr. has been named the BIG EAST Conference Freshman of the Week for the third time in 2025-26, the league office announced Monday morning.
James Jr. averaged 19.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 9.0 assists, and 1.0 steals this past week in a pair of games for Marquette against Villanova and Xavier. On Feb. 14 at Xavier, James Jr. finished with 30 points and a career-best 12 assists for his first-career double-double.
Through games of Feb. 15, James Jr. is just one of four freshmen (AJ Dybantsa – BYU, Darius Acuff Jr. – Arkansas, Kavair Kennedy – Merrimack) in the country to lead his respective league in scoring (19.2 ppg.) in conference games.
James Jr. is also one of just two freshmen (Keaton Wagler – Illinois) in the nation to contribute at least 19.0 points, 5.0 assists and 3.0 rebounds per outing in conference matchups through this past weekend’s games.
Brandt earns honors for lacrosse team: Marquette University junior attackman Carsen Brandt has been named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll for men’s lacrosse for the first time in his career.
The Edina, Minnesota, native recorded three goals and one assist for a four-point effort in a 16–11 loss to No. 6/7 Notre Dame on Saturday. Brandt converted three of his five shots on goal and notched his eighth career hat trick.
The Golden Eagles (0–2, 0–0 BIG EAST) return to action on Saturday, February 21, for their first road game of the season at Cleveland State (0-3, 0-0 NEC)
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