Get to know the Bisons of (David) Lipscomb University, Kentucky's next opponent

Kentucky Basketball is back at Rupp Arena tonight, hosting Lipscomb University in the Wildcats’ fourth game of the Mark Pope era. Excitement is sky-high around Big Blue Nation after last week’s win over Duke in the Champions Classic, so a large turnout is expected in downtown Lexington to support the unbeaten Cats on a Tuesday night.

Before Game 4 tips off, join me in learning more about tonight’s opponent, the Bisons of Lipscomb University, not to be confused with Kentucky’s last home opponent, the Bison of Bucknell University. Kentucky beat the Bucknell Bison 100-72, and at 7 p.m. tonight, the Wildcats will face more Bisons from Lipscomb. Let’s get to know them.

Lipscomb University Things To Know

• Originally called the Nashville Bible School, Lipscomb University is a private Christian university located in Nashville, Tennessee.
• The Nashville Bible School was renamed to David Lipscomb College in 1918 to honor one of its founders, David Lipscomb, one year after his passing. David Lipscomb College later became David Lipscomb University in 1988; the “David” was officially dropped in 1994.
• Lipscomb does not have fraternities and sororities but social clubs instead.
• Notable Lipscomb alumni include country artists Kelsea Ballerini, Dustin Lynch, and Thomas Rhett, as well as Jim Jinkins, who created the cartoon “Doug,” and former KSR blogger-turned PGA TOUR caddie Aaron Flener, whose karaoke version of “Callin’ Baton Rouge” is as good as Garth’s original.
• Lipscomb’s mascot became the Bisons when the team captain, Jack Draper, saw a Bison logo on a jacket while shopping for team uniforms in downtown Nashville in 1932.

Lipscomb is 2-3 this season with losses to Arkansas, Belmont, and Western Kentucky

The Bisons have been busy since beating Duquesne in Pittsburgh in its season opener. The Bisons lost two days later at Arkansas, although Lipscomb gave the Razorbacks a good fight, staying within four midway through the second half before an Arkansas run blew it open.

Lipscomb returned to Nashville to split its first two home games, a win over Wofford and a crushing loss to rival Belmont. Lipscomb led Belmont by 10 with seven minutes to go before its collapse in the Battle of the Boulevard.

Then, this past Sunday, Lipscomb suffered a third loss at Western Kentucky after leading the Hilltoppers by one at halftime. Finishing games has been a problem for the Bisons early in the year.

• at Duquesne – W (77-72) – Nov. 4
• at #16 Arkansas – L (76-60) – Nov. 6
• vs Wofford – W (78-69) – Nov. 9
• vs Belmont – L (80-79) – Nov. 12
• at Western Kentucky – L (66-61) – Nov. 17

Jacob Ognacevic averages 20.6 points per game

After missing last season with a knee injury, junior Jacob Ognacevic is off to a hot start in 2024-25, sparking early Atlantic Sun Player of the Year conversations around him. The 6-foot-8 forward turned heads in his first game back with 30 points at Duquesne, followed by 16 at Arkansas, 20 versus Wofford, and 28 against Belmont. Western held Ognacevic to only nine points in a cold-shooting game last weekend, but his 11 rebounds against the Hilltoppers set a new career high. He had 10 boards in that 30-point game against Duquesne.

A stretch-four, Ognacevic will step out and shoot it. He averages six attempts per game, averaging 33.3 percent from 3 so far this season but nearly 40 percent for his career.

Before his injury, Ognacevic had a standout sophomore season in 2022-23, leading Lipscomb at 17.7 points per game, the second-best mark in the ASUN.

Ognacevic and Will Pruitt were Preseason All-ASUN Selections

Ognacevic and teammate Will Pruitt were two of the 10 players named to the 2024-25 Preseason All-ASUN Team. Pruitt, a 6-3 senior guard, is Lipscomb’s only other double-digit scorer this year with an average of 12.8 points per game. They call Pruitt “Mr. Lipscomb.”

Lipscomb was picked to win the ASUN

Lipscomb is the favorite to win the Atlantic Sun Conference this year, according to the preseason media and coaches polls. The Bisons last won the ASUN in 2019.

2024-25 Men’s Basketball Preseason Media Poll

1. Lipscomb (27) 602
2. EKU (6) 538
3. Austin Peay (9) 524
4. FGCU (3) 435
5. North Alabama (3) 427
6. Stetson (3) 386
7. North Florida (1) 375
8. Jacksonville (3) 339
9. Queens 250
10. Central Arkansas 173
11. Bellarmine 156
12. West Georgia 85

Lipscomb mixed a solid core with transfer portal additions

Lipscomb has balance on its roster, with nine players back from last season and six newcomers, including five new players from the transfer portal. Veteran guard Gyasi Powell, who transferred cross-conference from Jacksonville, has been a helpful addition to the backcourt, playing more than 30 minutes per game so far.

Kentucky and Lipscomb played two other times

Kentucky hosted Lipscomb at Rupp Arena twice before tonight’s game. First, in 2005, a 67-49 win for the Wildcats. Rajon Rondo led the way with 19 points and five assists. Then, in 2012, Kyle Wiltjer scored 23 points in Kentucky’s 88-50 win over the Bisons. Wiltjer hit five of seven 3s.

This is Kentucky’s first game in the BBN Invitational

Tonight’s game is Kentucky’s debut game in the four-team BBN Invitational. Lipscomb, Western Kentucky, and Jackson State are the three other teams in the round-robin event. With multiple host sites, Lipscomb and Western already played in Bowling Green. Kentucky will play Jackson State and Western in its next two games.

So, let’s go win this BBN Invitational.