The 2025 NCAA Tournament has officially kicked off, and the Lipscomb Bison are ready to make their mark. This season, Lipscomb's basketball team has turned heads, clinching a coveted spot in the tournament after a stellar performance in both the Atlantic Sun regular season and tournament championships. With a record of 25-9 overall and 14-4 in conference play, they earned the No. 14 seed in the South Region, and their first challenge comes in the form of the No. 3 Iowa State Cyclones, scheduled for Friday, March 21, at 1:30 p.m. ET.
Located in Nashville, Tennessee, Lipscomb University, originally founded as the Nashville Bible School in 1891, has matured into an institution with a diverse selection of over 200 undergraduate and 60 graduate programs. Renamed in 1988, this private Christian university has steadily grown, with total enrollments reaching 3,024 undergraduates and 1,651 graduate students as of the Fall 2024 semester.
The Bison's journey to the NCAA Tournament is noteworthy, especially considering their past history. Their debut in the tournament came in 2018 when they faced off against the North Carolina Tar Heels as a No. 15 seed, but they were unable to secure a victory, losing 84-66. Before this season, Lipscomb also made an impact in the NIT, notably reaching the finals in 2019.
As Lipscomb prepares for this pivotal game, all eyes will be on senior Jacob Ognacevic, set to make his NCAA tournament debut. Ognacevic, who played a significant role in elevating his team's performance this season, averages a remarkable 20.1 points and 8.1 rebounds per game while boasting a stunning 75 percent shooting rate from the field and 40 percent from three-point range. His efforts earned him the prestigious ASUN Player of the Year award.
Reflecting on his journey, Ognacevic hails from Sheboygan Lutheran High School, where he was a dominant force on the basketball court, averaging nearly 30 points per game and finishing in the top ten in scoring history in Wisconsin. He also made headlines as one of only three players to score over 1,000 points in a single season, capped off by a Division Five State Championship in the 2018-2019 season.
"I’m excited to make my debut and contribute to my team’s success," Ognacevic stated, underscoring the passion and determination that fuel his performance on the court. He’ll be facing his fellow Wisconsin alum, Milan Momcilovic of Iowa State, who himself boasts a celebrated high school career, winning three state championships with Pewaukee High School.
The matchup against Iowa State not only brings the excitement of NCAA Tournament play but also highlights the connection between Ognacevic and Momcilovic, two standout athletes from the same state who now find themselves on opposing teams. As fans gather at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, the atmosphere promises to be electric.
With the NCAA Tournament in full swing, Lipscomb's participation is a testament to the growth and resilience of their basketball program. As the Bison take to the court on March 21, the hopes of their university rest on their shoulders. Will the magic of March Madness propel Lipscomb forward, or will Iowa State prove to be a formidable opponent? Only time will tell. But for now, Lipscomb's journey in the NCAA Tournament has only just begun.
