Busting Brackets
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Marquette Basketball: Analyzing the new contributors for 2018-19

By Lukas Harkins

MILWAUKEE, WI - NOVEMBER 08: The Marquette Golden Eagle mascot pumps up the students before the game against the Southern Jaguars at BMO Harris Bradley Center on November 08, 2013 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - NOVEMBER 08: The Marquette Golden Eagle mascot pumps up the students before the game against the Southern Jaguars at BMO Harris Bradley Center on November 08, 2013 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 09: Marquette Golden Eagles cheerleaders are seen. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 09: Marquette Golden Eagles cheerleaders are seen. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

Brendan Bailey

The “forgotten man” of sorts in this group of newcomers, Brendan Bailey was a highly-touted recruit in the 2016 class ranked at No. 92 overall. Yet, due to taking a Mormon mission for the past two years, this will be his first season playing for the Golden Eagles. And while it may take some time for Bailey to return to form and excel at the college level, it is reasonable to project that he could develop into a valuable rotation member this year.

Additionally, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel commented on Bailey’s return to basketball and academia:

"“It [the mission] made me miss basketball a lot. I wasn’t a big fan of homework before, but toward the end of two years I was kind of looking forward to getting into that. So that might help spark a little bit in my education process. But it definitely made me miss the whole basketball aspect of my life.”"

Out of high school, Bailey was highly-touted due to his size and skill level. At 6-foot-8 with a versatile offensive game, Bailey projects as a matchup nightmare in the future. He is an outstanding shooter from beyond the arc, which fits perfectly with the rest of the roster. Additionally, Bailey projects as a strong defender at the college level because of his athleticism and length.

Oh, and it doesn’t hurt that he has championship pedigree in his veins. His father, Thurl Bailey, led NC State to a national championship victory in 1983 prior to an extensive career in the NBA.

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