Bucknell University Athletics
Several Players Honored at Bucknell's Men's Basketball Banquet
4/23/2001 8:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
April 23, 2001
LEWISBURG, PA - Bucknell University co-captain Bryan Bailey (Hempstead, N.Y./South Side), sophomores Dan Blankenship (Moundsville, W. Va./Wheeling Park) and Boakai Lalugba (East Orange, N.J./Bishop Francis Essex Catholic), and senior Mike Seek (Derwood, Md./Col. Zadok Magruder) were honored with major awards at the annual Backcourt Club Awards banquet, held Sunday, April 22, in the Langone Center on the campus of Bucknell University. Seniors Jake Ramage (Moorestown, N.J./Moorestown) and Nyambi Nyambi (Herdnon, Va./Oakton), and Backcort Club member George Burman `74 also received recognition at the banquet.
Bailey received the Benton A. Kribbs Memorial Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Bison basketball program. The junior point guard earned 2001 All-Patriot League First Team honors after leading the Bison and ranking third in the conference in scoring at 17.7 points per game. Bailey, who walked on to the Bucknell program as a freshman, started in 27 of Bucknell's 29 games. He had to miss two games late in the schedule after suffering a sprained ankle in warm-ups prior to the Holy Cross contest on February 10.
A product of South Side High School on Long Island, he ranked among the league leaders in field goal percentage (10th, .457), free throw percentage (13th, .747), assists (7th, 2.89), steals (4th, 1.74), three-point field goal percentage (3rd, .436) and three-point field goals made per game (10th, 1.26). The 6'0," 170-pound guard elevated his play when it came time to face conference opponents, topping the 20-point plateau six times while averaging 18.8 points over 12 games. He also raised his numbers in field goal percentage (.500), steals (1.90), three-point field goal percentage (.467) and three's made per game (1.40).
A prolific scorer, Bailey topped the double-figure plateau in 25 of the 27 games he played in this season, and led the Bison in scoring 17 times. He had a season- and career-high 30 points in the Orange and Blue's win over Lock Haven back on November 18, and scored more than 20 points 11 times. He equaled his career-high with eight assists at American on November 29, and hauled down a career-best nine rebounds at Cornell on December 9. In addition, he had a fine shooting performance from beyond the arc in Bucknell's win at UMBC, connecting on a career-high five three's (5-of-7).
With 477 points during the 2000-01 season, Bailey ranked 16th on Bucknell's single-season scoring chart. His scoring average ranked as the best for a Bucknell player since J.R. Holden averaged 18.2 points in 1997-98.
Blankenship captured the Thomas A. Thompson Award for Spirit, Intensity and Outstanding Defensive Play. The sophomore guard consistently drew the assignment of guarding the opposing team's best player, and despite that added pressure led the team with 85 assists. Blankenship played in all 29 games for the Bison, starting 23, and finished fifth on the team and 25th in the conference in scoring at 8.1 points per game. In addition, the southpaw guard was among the Patriot League leaders in assists (6th, 2.93) and steals (12th, 1.17). He scored a career-best 14 points in helping the Bison to their first-round win over Colgate in the Patriot League Championship Tournament, including making eight-of-12 free throws in the contest. Blankenship also established personal-bests in rebounds (5 vs. Colgate), assists (8 vs. Lafayette) and steals (5 vs. Drew) last season.
Seek was honored with the Malcolm E. Musser Award for Leadership. The 6'0, 170 pound senior guard may not have seen a tremendous amount of game time, but he was a true inspiration to the Bison team and an asset to the program. He began his Bucknell career with the junior varsity, and played for that squad throughout his four years whenever the coaches needed leadership or just an extra body for a game.
During the 2000-01 campaign, Seek saw action in six varsity games, including the teams final four of the season. He capped his home career with his only bucket of the season in the finale against Lehigh. He was a vital part of the moral of the team, constantly keeping the bench involved in games and by working diligently in each and every practice.
Lalugba received the Coaches Award as The Most Improved Player. After being passed over for all-league honors by the league's head coaches, Lalugba turned in an outstanding performance at the Patriot League Championship Tournament and was selected to the all-tournament team. The sophomore forward tallied his seventh double-double of the season with a game-high 22 points and 11 rebounds to lead Bucknell to a 75-68 upset over the third-seeded Colgate Red Raiders in the opening round. Lalugba followed that performance with 14 points and seven rebounds in Bucknell's 88-64 loss in the semifinal round against the Midshipmen of Navy.
Arguably the most flamboyant player in the league, Lalugba ranked among the conference leaders in scoring (5th, 14.5) and rebounding (2nd, 7.9) all season. He started all 29 games for the Orange and Blue and posted double-figures in all but four contests. He had personal bests this season in rebounding (16 at Lafayette), points (23 twice), assists (4 twice), steals (4 twice) and blocked shots (4 twice), and garnered Bucknell's only Patriot League Player of the Week award after recording back-to-back double-doubles against Mount St. Mary's and Canisius.
Ramage, Nyambi and Seek were each presented with their senior awards by head coach Pat Flannery as the three graduating members of the Bison program. Ramage, who returned to action this season after reconstructive knee surgery and then had to undergo a second operation during the season, finished fourth on the team and 19th in the conference in scoring at 9.0 points per game. The senior co-captain ranked among the league's leaders in three-point field goal percentage (8th, .377) and three-point baskets made per game (4th, 1.82). Ramage played in 22 games during the season and posted a career-high five three-pointers at American on November 29.
Nyambi saw limited time in his final season with the Orange and Blue, but like Seek, contributed to the program in many ways. He was primarily responsible for starting the Bucknell fan base affectionately known as "The Herd," and was a great promoter of Bucknell basketball off the court. He played in 14 games during the season and scored seven points. He had four points and two steals against Holy Cross on January 17.
George Burman was presented with the 2001 Backcourt Club Award as a loyal supporter of the Bison basketball program. A 1974 graduate of Bucknell who went on to get his MBA from Harvard, Burman can be heard on the radio during the Bison Sports Network football broadcasts as the color analyst. When he's not on the air, he's most likely on the sidelines at some Bucknell athletic event supporting the Bison. He has been a true supporter of the basketball program and the entire Department of Athletics & Recreation at Bucknell.
Bucknell compiled a 14-15 mark during the 2000-01 season, advancing to the semifinals of the Patriot League Championship Tournament.
