Lipscomb Bisons men's basketball

The Lipscomb Bisons men's basketball team is the men's basketball team that represents Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, United States in NCAA Division I. The school's team currently competes in the ASUN Conference.[2] Previously, the Bisons played men's basketball in NCAA Division II and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. The Bisons made their first ever trip to the NCAA Division I tournament in school history in 2018, when they defeated Florida Gulf Coast in the 2018 ASUN men's basketball tournament. In 2019, Lipscomb made history by becoming the first team in ASUN history to make it to the National Invitation Tournament Final.

Lipscomb Bisons
2024–25 Lipscomb Bisons men's basketball team
UniversityLipscomb University
Head coachLennie Acuff (6th season)
ConferenceAtlantic Sun
LocationNashville, Tennessee
ArenaAllen Arena
(capacity: 5,028)
NicknameBisons
ColorsPurple and gold[1]
   
Uniforms
Home jersey
Team colours
Home
Away jersey
Team colours
Away
Alternate jersey
Team colours
Alternate
NCAA tournament appearances
2018
NAIA tournament champions
1986
NAIA semifinals
1986, 1990, 1996
NAIA quarterfinals
1986, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1996, 2000
NAIA tournament second round
1985, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 2000
Conference tournament champions
2018
Conference regular season champions
2006, 2010, 2019

History

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Lipscomb has a 311–280 all-time record in NCAA basketball and a 186–141 record in ASUN games. Lipscomb won their first ASUN men's basketball tournament title in 2018, despite winning the regular-season conference title twice before, in 2006 and 2010. The Bisons made the NCAA tournament for the first time in 2018. They have competed in the NIT twice, in 2006 and 2019.[3] Lipscomb is also home to the top two all-time leading college basketball scorers, John Pierce and Philip Hutcheson. Lipscomb also won the NAIA National championship in 1986.

Battle of the Boulevard

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Lipscomb maintains a rivalry with nearby Belmont University, and the two men's basketball teams compete annually in a game known as the Battle of the Boulevard. The game is named for Belmont Boulevard, which both schools are located on; the 2 miles (3.2 km) separating the schools makes them among the closest rivals in NCAA Division I men's basketball. The rivalry began in 1953, when both schools played in the NAIA, and continued into the NCAA when both schools transitioned to Division I in the 1990s. Lipscomb leads the all-time series 73–61, while Belmont leads 14–9 in NCAA play.[4][5]

Postseason

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NCAA tournament results

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The Bisons have appeared in one NCAA tournament.

Year Seed Round Opponent Result
2018 #15 First Round North Carolina L 66–84

NIT results

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The Bisons have appeared in two National Invitation Tournaments (NITs). Their record is 4–2. They were the runner up in 2019.

Year Seed Round Opponent Result
2006 #10 Opening Round UTEP L 66–85
2019 #5 First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Final
Davidson
UNC Greensboro
NC State
Wichita State
Texas
W 89–81
W 86–69
W 94-93
W 71–64
L 66–81

NAIA tournament results

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The Bison have appeared in the NAIA Tournament 14 times. Their combined record is 21–13. They were NAIA National Champions in 1986.

Year Seed Round Opponent Result
1982 #5 First Round #28 Kearney State L 87–92
1985 #17 First Round
Second Round
#16 William Carey
#1 Fort Hayes State
W 68–66
L 48–55
1986 #11 First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
National Championship
#22 Minnesota–Duluth
#6 Emporia State
#14 Central Washington
#7 Saint Thomas Aquinas
#25 Arkansas–Monticello
W 62–56
W 79–76
W 80–64
W 102–91
W 67–54
1988 #3 First Round
Second Round
#30 East Texas Baptist
#14 College of Idaho
W 89–63
L 108–123
1990 #1 First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
#32 Midland Lutheran
#17 Central Arkansas
#24 Pfeiffer
#4 Birmingham–Southern
W 92–73
W 70–66
W 125–83
L 96–98
1991 #3 First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
#30 Holy Family
#14 Briar Cliff
#6 Pfeiffer
W 106–75
W 89–87
L 95–105
1992 #11 First Round
Second Round
#22 Findlay
#6 BYU–Hawaiʻi
W 67–66
L 66–90
1993 #4 First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
#29 McKendree
#13 Life
#21 Georgetown (KY)
W 87–72
W 94–89
L 91–101
1994 #12 First Round #21 Saint Mary's (TX) L 62–77
1995 #18 First Round
Second Round
#15 Oklahoma Baptist
#31 Montana State–Northern
W 74–63
L 78–92
1996 #4 First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
#29 Talladega
#20 McKendree
#21 East Central
#1 Georgetown (KY)
W 91–78
W 95–87
W 93–75
L 84–97
1997 #7 First Round #26 Point Park L 100–111
1999 #17 First Round #16 Biola L 46–51
2000 #2 First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
#31 Saint Gregory's
#15 Central State
#10 Biola
W 77–66
W 77–41
L 71–82

Notable alumni

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References

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  1. ^ Lipscomb University Brand Identity Guide and Stylebook (PDF). January 1, 2016. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
  2. ^ "Lipscomb Bisons". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  3. ^ "2012–13 Lipscomb Men's Basketball Quick Facts" (PDF). Lipscomb University. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 17, 2013. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  4. ^ "Battle of the Boulevard". Lipscomb University. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  5. ^ "Belmont 89, Lipscomb 60". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  6. ^ "Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame bio". Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
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