Lipscomb Preview

BG is set for game 2 against Lipscomb up in merry ol' Quebec.

Lipscomb are the Bisons. Not the Bison.

Established in 1891, Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, has a deep-rooted history marked by its Christian foundation. Initially founded as the Nashville Bible School by David Lipscomb and James A. Harding, the institution primarily focused on theological education. Over the years, Lipscomb underwent significant transformations, expanding its curriculum beyond theology to include liberal arts and professional programs.

Facing challenges in the mid-20th century, including financial hardships and a brief merger, Lipscomb emerged resilient and adapted to the changing educational landscape. In 1988, it attained university status and adopted the name Lipscomb University.

Athletically, Lipscomb was an NAIA powerhouse.  They made 14 tournament appearances in men's basketball and won one national title.  In 2002 they moved up to D1 status in the Atlantic Sun conference. They won the conference tournament in 2018 and appeared in the NCAA tournament.  They also finished second in the NIT in 2018 and have won 3 regular season titles.

They are coached by Lennie Acuff, in his fifth season at Lipscomb.  He was a highly successful DII coach at Alabama-Huntsville, where he won 454 games...67% winning percentage.  He took the Chargers to the Elite Eight twice.  He has yet to take Lipscomb past 3rd in the ASUN, winning 54% in conference play.

They were not bad last year, at 20-13/11-7 record with a 153 kenpom. BG finished at 286.  The ASUN was the #18 ranked conference and the MAC was #19.

They were picked #6 out of 12 by Blue Ribbon. The coaches had them 5th and the media had them 3rd.

They returned 4 starters but their reserves transferred.  Coming into the weekend, they were 3-2, 2-2 in D1. They lost @Wichita State (100) and @Drake (84), and won @Tennessee Tech (318) and at home over Alabama A&M (346).  In the first game of the Northern Classic, they defeated UNC-Asheville (213) by 11, 86-75. Asheville was 3-23 from 3FG. Their top player has yet to appear.

This is a solid offensive team, through last year.  They shoot the ball really well and take care of it well.  Last year they were #37 in EFG and #16 this year to date. They take a very high number of 3FGs and make 39%, which is outstanding. On defense they are average against the shot and on turnovers, poor on the boards but do not give up FTs.

(All Stats coming into the weekend).

Their top player is Jacob Ognacevic, who was all-ASUN last year and was unanimous pre-season ASUN this year.  He was one of the top percentage shooters in the nation. He's 6'8" from Sheboygan, WI, and started at Valpo.  He's injured and has not played all year, including the UNC-Asheville game last night.

In his absence, Derin Boyd (6'3" G) is scoring 20 PPG on 62% and 37% shooting. He was a newcomer last year, transferring from Georgtown College, which is in KY and the college where Demetrius Hardamon started.  He has 7 steals.

AJ McGinnis is scoring 17 PPG on 58% shooting from 2FG AND from 3FG.  He is 18 of 31 from 3FG and #32 in the country. He's a 6'4" G who played at Lipscomb last year but started at UC. He is originally from Huntsville, AL

They have no player with over 4 RPG.  Will Pruitt has 19 assists over 8 TOs.

In the opener, Pruitt was their leading scorer,  He scored 19 on 6 of 11 2FGs. McCormick had 18 on 8 of 10 2FG shooting and had 10 rebounds. Boyd had 18 on poor shooting but 9-10 at the line.

Without Orgnacevic, they play really small.

BG has never played Lipscomb.