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. Previously, the Bisons played men's basketball in NCAA Division II and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. The Bisons have appeared two times in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, most recently in 2025 after defeating North Alabama in the ASUN championship. In 2019, Lipscomb made history by becoming the first team in ASUN history to make it to the National Invitation Tournament Final.

History

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. 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

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, on which both schools are located. The 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.

Postseason

NCAA tournament results

The Bisons have appeared in two NCAA tournaments. Their combined record is 0–2.
2018#15First RoundNorth CarolinaL 66–84
2025#14First RoundIowa StateL 55–82

NIT results

The Bisons have appeared in two National Invitation Tournaments. Their record is 4–2. They were the runner up in 2019.
2006#10Opening RoundUTEPL 66–85
2019#5First 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

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

Notable alumni