Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Duquesne University men's basketball team announced its broadcast teams for the 2026-27 season Wednesday, as Tim Benz and Ellis Cannon return for their 10th season as play-by-play announcer and color commentator, respectively, for home games that will be streamed live on ESPN+, while Darren Zaslau and Ron Everhart will call the Dukes for iHeartMedia Pittsburgh as play-by-play announcer and color analyst, respectively. Duquesne men's basketball can again be heard live this year on 104.7 HD2 and the iHeartRadio app.
 
Zaslau will call games for iHeartMedia Pittsburgh for both home and road games throughout the season, with a combination of Everhart, Benz and Cannon joining him on the road to serve as analyst. Zaslau, a native of Mt. Lebanon, Pa., takes over for Ray Goss ('58), the longest tenured NCAA Division I broadcaster who passed away in April at the age of 89 and spent 58 years as the Voice of the Dukes.
 
"I first met Darren at the Chuck Cooper Centennial Gala, where my dad was being honored," said Christine Brownlee, daughter of Ray Goss and one of seven children of the Voice of the Dukes. "Since Dad was recovering from an automobile accident and unable to attend, I had the privilege of accepting the Centennial Award on his behalf. Even before that evening, I had heard so much about Darren and how much my dad enjoyed working with him.
 
"In true Ray Goss fashion, Dad was determined to still be part of the celebration, even if he couldn't be there in person. Darren made that possible. He went to the hospital to meet with my dad and record his acceptance speech, allowing him to have his voice and presence felt that evening. That kindness meant a great deal to him and to our entire family. I know my dad would be incredibly happy to know that Darren is taking over his broadcasting duties and carrying on a role that meant so much to him. Most of all, I know Dad would be pleased to know Darren is there, rooting for the Dukes. On behalf of the entire Goss family, we wish Darren nothing but the very best."
 
Zaslau has spent the last five years as a host, broadcaster, reporter, executive producer and digital content creator for WPGH Fox 53 and 22 The Point. In August of this year, Zaslau also began as an on-air talent and executive producer for Pittsburgh Sports Tonight, which can be seen each night Monday through Friday on WPGH Fox 53, WTOV 9 out of Steubenville, Ohio, and WJAC-TV in Johnstown, Pa.
 
Everhart, a native of Fairmont, W.Va., makes a return to the Bluff as color analyst for Duquesne basketball in 2026-27. He spent six seasons as head coach of the Dukes from 2006 to 2012, compiling a record of 99-89 (.527) and leading Duquesne to the 2009 National Invitation Tournament (NIT) as well as a pair of appearances in the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) in 2010 and 2011. In the 2011 CBI, Everhart led the Dukes to an 87-76 victory at Montana (3/16/11), the first postseason win for Duquesne since a 75-73 triumph over Charlotte in the first round of the 1994 NIT.
 
Benz and Cannon reprise their respective roles for Duquesne men's basketball and enter their 10th year together calling games for ESPN+. Benz has been a consistent presence in the Pittsburgh sports media market since 2001 and is the host of Breakfast with Benz, a TribLIVE sports podcast, as well as a regular contributor to the Tribune-Review. He can also be heard across multiple iHeartMedia Pittsburgh outlets covering the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates and also serves as play-by-play announcer for Robert Morris men's hockey.
 
Cannon, a native of Midland, Pa., also teams with Benz on Duquesne football broadcasts for ESPN+ and is a 2010 inductee into the Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame for broadcasting, being inducted along with Mike "Doc" Emrick. Owning a decorated career in Pittsburgh sports media, Cannon and his brother, Henry, co-founded the Pittsburgh Sports Report in 1996. Throughout the 21st century, Cannon has had stints with ESPN Radio 1250, the Pittsburgh Steelers Radio Network and Clear Channel and iHeartMedia.
 
Duquesne will open its 111th season of NCAA Division I basketball under third-year head coach Dru Joyce III Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 7:00 p.m. against Purdue Fort Wayne at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse. It is the first of five consecutive home games to open the 2026-27 season, which also includes contests against Central State (Nov. 7), Washington State (Nov. 10), Binghamton (Nov. 14) and the first game of the 2026 Sunshine Slam against Howard (Nov. 18). Single-game and season tickets are on sale now, as well as the recently announced Starting Five Mini-Plan.

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