# 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, 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.

## Postseason
### NCAA tournament results

The Bisons have appeared in two NCAA tournaments. Their combined record is 0–1.
| Year | Seed | Round | Opponent | Result |
| 2018 | #15 | First Round | North Carolina | L 66–84 |
| 2025 | - | First Round | - | - |

### NIT results

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

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

* Gary Colson, college basketball coach
* Adnan Hodžić, professional basketball player
* Garrison Mathews, NBA player
* John Pierce, college basketball all-time/all-division scoring leader with 4,230 points
* Marvin Williams, professional basketball player