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Ben Steele

@bensteelemjs.bsky.social

Marquette basketball reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

3,381 Followers  |  266 Following  |  92 Posts  |  Joined: 15.11.2024  |  1.6934

Latest posts by bensteelemjs.bsky.social on Bluesky


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17.02.2026 15:52 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
Last game plan | Marquette legends recall Al McGuireโ€™s deathbed advice Before legendary Marquette coach Al McGuire died in January 2001, he had a steady stream of visitors to his small room in hospice care.

Al McGuire died 25 years ago, but the Marquette legend's influence has been long-lasting.

His former players are now the same age or older than McGuire was when he passed.

Here are the lessons they learned from their final conversations.

www.jsonline.com/story/sports...

17.02.2026 15:13 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 6    ๐Ÿ” 8    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
Preview
Marquette players have a 10-year-old teammate. It's a sweet story. B.J. Mathews loves basketball and is dealing with sickle cell disease. That brought him into the orbit of the Golden Eagles.

Not even 24 hours after a tough loss in New Jersey, all the Marquette players showed up in a suburban Milwaukee gym to watch a 10-year-old's game.

Here's a look at a unique relationship:

www.jsonline.com/story/sports...

06.02.2026 17:12 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
How Marquette's Nigel James Jr. learned to be elite at getting to rim The young guard has no trouble getting to the basket โ€“ and finishing โ€“ despite his small frame.

Nigel James Jr. shows no fear in attacking the basket.

The 6-foot Marquette freshman guard has been that way his whole life.

He's also been taught by a few great players, including names familiar to MU fans.

www.jsonline.com/story/sports...

22.01.2026 15:18 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Back in action. But some rotation players aren't for Bucks ... injury updates here โฌ‡๏ธ
www.jsonline.com/story/sports...

22.01.2026 01:22 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 6    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Another heartbreaking loss would have been crushing for the Bucks.

But thanks to several clutch plays - and some individual milestones - Milwaukee heads out on a four-game trip on a positive note.

www.jsonline.com/story/sports...

03.01.2026 05:44 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 9    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Missed it. Fanta must have gotten my under-the-table bribe.

19.12.2025 00:12 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Cole Anthony and A.J. Green are available for tonight's game, per the Bucks.

19.12.2025 00:11 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Where is ex-Marquette and Michigan State player Joey Hauser? In the NBA. Joey Hauser spent the last two seasons as a player in the G League. Now he is in the NBA with a different job.

Walked out to the Fiserv Forum a few hours before Bucks-Nets and saw a familiar face warming up with Brooklyn.

Yes, indeed that was former Marquette and Michigan State player Joey Hauser.

What is he up to now?

www.jsonline.com/story/sports...

02.12.2025 15:25 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1

Giannis Antetokounmpo AND Kevin Porter Jr. are both available for tonight's game, per Bucks PR.

30.11.2025 00:14 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 17    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

That's five straight losses for the Bucks, who dropped a home game to an injury-riddled Portland squad:

www.jsonline.com/story/sports...

25.11.2025 03:31 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
a man in a red shirt is standing in a wrestling ring with a referee . ALT: a man in a red shirt is standing in a wrestling ring with a referee .

You all will be graced with the effervescent stylings of @bensteelemjs.bsky.social tonight for the #Bucks vs. Trail Blazers gamer!
๐Ÿ“ Heโ€™s your guy tonight!
www.jsonline.com/story/sports...

25.11.2025 00:01 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
Two foreign coaches were embedded with Marquette for three weeks. Here's what they learned. In the three weeks leading up to Marquette's season opener, two guest coaches were part of every meeting, workout and film session.

Marquette had two extra coaches in the three weeks leading up to the season.

They were in meetings, film sessions, the locker room, closed-door scrimmages.

It was part of a program for international coaches. Here's what they learned:

www.jsonline.com/story/sports...

07.11.2025 15:39 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Sean Jones hasnโ€™t played for Marquette in 21 months. Hereโ€™s what it took to get back. Marquette point guard Sean Jones had to overcome physical and mental obstacles on his arduous road back from a devastating knee injury.

Great article from @bensteelemjs.bsky.social on Sean Jones.

#mubb

Check out this article from Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Sean Jones hasnโ€™t played for Marquette in 21 months. Hereโ€™s what it took to get back.

www.jsonline.com/story/sports...

29.10.2025 16:14 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Bucks guard Ryan Rollins gets heartfelt gift from Warriors legend Steph Curry after big game Ryan Rollins put up another career high in points, this time against an all-time legend who was an early mentor.

Ryan Rollins ๐Ÿค Steph Curry

via @bensteelemjs.bsky.social

www.jsonline.com/story/sports...

31.10.2025 04:56 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 23    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Sean Jones hasnโ€™t played for Marquette in 21 months. Hereโ€™s what it took to get back. Marquette point guard Sean Jones had to overcome physical and mental obstacles on his arduous road back from a devastating knee injury.

Sean Jones hasn't played since suffering a devastating knee injury on Jan. 10, 2024.

What it took to get back transformed the person and player who will take the court for MU this season.

www.jsonline.com/story/sports...

29.10.2025 16:22 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Shaka Smart has Marquette basketball players learn history from Doc Rivers, Travis Diener Marquette head coach Shaka Smart knows the importance of history, so he set up a walking tour of MU hoops with two well-known guest lecturers.

Marquette basketball players got a history lesson this week that featured two prominent guest lecturers.

www.jsonline.com/story/sports...

17.10.2025 17:53 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 6    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Ryan Rollins has been grinding too long to stop now that he has guaranteed deal with Bucks Ryan Rollins' $12 million deal is modest by NBA standards, but the Bucks guard scratched and clawed to get it.

Ryan Rollins was one of those players who had interesting offseason transactions to return to the #Bucks - but it worked out in the form of his first long-term NBA deal.
He's not about to change up his mindset, though.
via @bensteelemjs.bsky.social
www.jsonline.com/story/sports...

16.10.2025 13:35 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 8    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Marquetteโ€™s Shaka Smart talks about filling voids and what fans can expect this season | Q&A The Marquette Golden Eagles lost several key players to graduation, and there are many questions about the upcoming season.

Sat down with Marquette coach Shaka Smart for about 30 minutes and we hit own a lot of topics ahead of the season.

Check it out!

www.jsonline.com/story/sports...

01.10.2025 21:02 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 8    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
This is why Racine legend Sam Logic stopped playing and joined Marquette's coaching staff Sam Logic, who was a McDonald's All-American at Racine Case High School, played professionally in seven countries overseas.

When Cara Consuegra needed to hire an assistant coach for Marquette women's hoops team, there was only one person she thought about ... the Racine legend who Consuegra didn't land for #muwbb the first time around as a player.
www.jsonline.com/story/sports...

04.09.2025 15:19 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Marquette sets two closed-door scrimmages before 2025-26 men's basketball season Under head coach Shaka Smart, the Golden Eagles have liked to play one closed-door exhibition at home and one on the road.

Marquette has set two closed-door men's basketball exhibitions for next month.
www.jsonline.com/story/sports...

02.09.2025 20:00 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
Here are five things to know about new Marquette volleyball coach Tom Mendoza Tom Mendoza is a Midwest native who spent the last seven seasons as head coach at South Carolina.

Marquette's volleyball season starts *checks Timex watch* in just over three weeks.

It's a new era with Tom Mendoza in charge of the program.

Here's what to know about the new coach:
www.jsonline.com/story/sports...

06.08.2025 14:57 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
Preview
Sean Jones' return, a standout freshman and other takeaways from Marquette summer scrimmage The Marquette men's basketball team concluded its eight weeks of summer workouts with a public scrimmage at the Al McGuire Center.

Sean Jones is BACK and looked great during Marquette's summer scrimmage.

Here are some other takeaways, including a freshman who looks like a defensive menace.

www.jsonline.com/story/sports...

01.08.2025 18:02 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 5    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

With 4:50 left in the second quarter, New York's Tyler Kolek is 80 points away from Wilt Chamberlain's record.

15.07.2025 22:41 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 18    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 2
Preview
Five things to know about 2026 Marquette basketball recruit Nash Walker from Australia Nash Walker grew up in a small town in basketball-crazed Tasmania. He'll soon make his way to Milwaukee, a city he's never visited.

The first time many Marquette fans had heard of Nash Walker was when he committed to #mubb last week.

Here is the backstory of where the Australian sharpshooter comes from and how the Golden Eagles became interested in him.

www.jsonline.com/story/sports...

14.07.2025 14:01 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 7    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Marquette's David Joplin has received an invitation to be on the Milwaukee Bucks' summer league team, according to his agent Barry Aberdeen.

From Brookfield Central to #mubb to getting a pro shot with his hometown team.

29.06.2025 14:39 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 24    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
Preview
Q&A: How Marquette athletic director Mike Broeker is navigating new era of revenue sharing After a landmark court settlement, Marquette is learning how to divide revenue and still remain competitive.

It's a new world in college sports, so the Journal Sentinel asked Marquette AD Mike Broeker some questions about revenue sharing, ticket prices, #mubb games in Chicago and more ...

www.jsonline.com/story/sports...

25.06.2025 14:27 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 6    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
Unique 3-on-3 international experience helps Marquette's Skylar Forbes to keep improving Skylar Forbes had a breakout sophomore season with the Golden Eagles, but she has a list of improvements to make over the summer.

Skylar Forbes had a breakout season for the Marquette women's basketball team.

She's been getting even better this summer, including getting a chance to play in a FIBA international event overseas. #muwbb
www.jsonline.com/story/sports...

20.06.2025 19:49 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
The Green Bay Packers once lost a basketball game against Wilt Chamberlain. No, seriously. The larger-than-life Wilt Chamberlain made two appearances at Brown County Arena in 1959, and squared off against some familiar names.

Wilt Chamberlain once squared off on the basketball court against several members of the Green Bay Packers in front of a record crowd at Brown County Arena.

This isn' a tall tale. #mubb

www.jsonline.com/story/sports...

18.06.2025 14:51 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
How did a guy from Peshtigo who ran track at Marquette draw the interest of NFL teams? Two years ago, Mitch Van Vooren wasn't playing football. This summer he was invited to a NFL rookie minicamp and was signed to a 90-man roster.

Mitch Van Vooren is fighting for a chance in the NFL this summer.

That's a crazy sentence when you think that two years ago he was on the track team at Marquette.

www.jsonline.com/story/sports...

16.06.2025 15:28 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

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