Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell's Bryan Bailey Named to Preseason All-Patriot League Men's Basketball Team
9/19/2001 8:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Sept. 19, 2001
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell senior guard Bryan Bailey (Hempstead, N.Y./South Side H.S.) is one of five players named to the 2001-02 Preseason All-Patriot League Men's Basketball Team, the league office announced Wednesday.
One of the Patriot League's premier point guards, Bailey joins Colgate forward Pat Campolieta, American center Patrick Doctor, Army guard Chris Spatola and Holy Cross forward Tim Szatko on the preseason all-conference squad. In addition, the Bison were picked to finish fifth in the Patriot League this season by a panel of league head coaches and sports information directors.
Bailey (6-0, 170) was Bucknell's leading scorer last season, averaging 17.7 ppg. That figure ranked third in the conference, and following the season he was named to the All-Patriot League First Team for the first time in his career. He also ranked third in the loop in three-point percentage (.436), fourth in steals (1.74 spg.), seventh in assists (2.89 apg.), 10th in field goal percentage (.457) and 13th in free throw percentage (.747).
Last season Bailey scored in double figures in 25 of 27 games and eclipsed the 20-point plateau 11 times. He scored a career-high 30 points in a season-opening victory over Lock Haven. Bailey totaled 477 points last season, which was good for 16th place on the school's single-season chart. His scoring average last year ranks as the best for a Bucknell player since J.R. Holden averaged 18.2 points in 1997-98.
Defending champion Holy Cross was picked to repeat as Patriot League titlist in the preseason poll. The Crusaders garnered 10 of 16 first-place votes and 94 points overall. Navy (76), Colgate (69) and Lehigh (60) each received at least one first-place vote and rounded out the top four. Bucknell accrued 51 points, two more than league newcomer American. Lafayette (30) and Army (19) rounded out the poll.
The Bison return four starters from a 2000-01 squad that finished 14-15 overall and 4-8 in the Patriot League. Seeded sixth in the Patriot League Tournament, the Bison knocked off third-seeded Colgate 75-68 in the quarterfinal round, before falling to No. 2 Navy, 88-64, in the semis.
Bucknell opens its 2001-02 campaign at Central Connecticut's Mohegan Sun Classic Nov. 16-17. Cornell visits Davis Gym for the home opener on Nov. 26.
