For the first time in a long time, the Lipscomb men’s basketball team is the favorite to win the ASUN title.
The Bisons are seeking their second consecutive NCAA tournament berth with an experienced roster that includes five seniors and three juniors.
Several of Lipscomb’s games could go either way — namely their contests against Belmont, Florida Gulf Coast and North Florida. The Bisons will also square off with Power 5 opponents in TCU, Clemson and Louisville.
After looking into the crystal ball, here are my predictions for all 29 Lipscomb regular season games:
Game 1: Lipscomb 95, Sewanee 60 (1-0)
Nov. 6 at Allen Arena
The Bisons may show some rust in the first half, as is typical in any season opener. The Tigers have built a solid D-III program, but they simply won’t have the depth to pull an upset.
Game 2: Lipscomb 80, Tennessee State 68 (2-0)
Nov. 10 at Allen Arena
These two teams have played tight battles over the last several seasons, including a 95-86 overtime win by Lipscomb last year. Belmont alum Brian “Penny Collins” is taking over for Dana Ford, who left to coach Missouri State. With a new TSU coaching staff and a revamped roster, the score line won’t be as close.
Game 3: Lipscomb 72, Belmont 61 (3-0)
Nov. 15 at Allen Arena
Battle of the Boulevard games are never easy to predict. Belmont’s Dylan Windler is one of the top players in the country, but the loss of Austin Luke and Amanze Egekeze leaves the Bruins a bit thin on experience – a problem the Bisons don’t have.
Game 4: SMU 73, Lipscomb 70 (3-1)
Nov. 17 in Dallas, Texas
SMU won 12 of their first 15 last season, including victories over Arizona and USC, before injuries to Jarrey Foster and Shake Milton derailed their campaign in American Athletic Conference play. The Bisons have a real shot at a road victory here, but a quick turnaround after the Belmont game will be tough to overcome.
Game 5: TCU 85, Lipscomb 69 (3-2)
Nov. 20 in Fort Worth, Texas
An upset is at least in the realm of possibility against TCU. However, the Horned Frogs are likely an NCAA tournament team and return talented guards in Desmond Base (12.5 PPG) and Jaylen Fisher (12.3 PPG). Lipscomb will keep it respectable.
Game 6: Lipscomb 90, Morehead State 65 (4-2)
Nov. 25 in Morehead, Ky.
Following losses to TCU and SMU, the Bisons will be hungry for a road win. Morehead State finished in the Ohio Valley Conference cellar with an 8-21 overall record last season. The Eagles will be improved this year in Preston Spradlin’s second season at the helm, but it won’t be enough to keep things close.
Game 7: Lipscomb 82, Middle Tennessee 67 (5-2)
Dec. 1 in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
This would have been a Blue Raider win last season. But coach Kermit Davis left for Ole Miss and Middle Tennessee’s top six scorers are gone thanks to graduations, transfers and dismissals. 2018-19 will be a rebuilding year in Murfreesboro, making this a must-win for the Bisons.
Game 8: Lipscomb 85, Belmont 82 (OT) (6-2)
Dec. 4 in Nashville, Tenn.
Windler drops 30 points as the Bruins seek revenge, but Lipscomb pulls this one out in overtime at the Curb Event Center.
Game 9: Lipscomb 76, Navy 54 (7-2)
Dec. 9 at Allen Arena
This one was a tight matchup in Annapolis last year. Navy has since graduated its top two scorers in guards Shawn Anderson and Bruce Dulin, so don’t expect the result to be as close this time.
Game 10: Louisville 82, Lipscomb 66 (7-3)
Dec. 12 in Louisville, Ky.
The Cardinals are still recovering from the 2017 corruption scandal that ultimately lead to the firing of coach Rick Pitino and athletic director Tom Jurich. Louisville will have a tough time making the NCAA tournament because of its difficult ACC schedule, but they won’t get caught napping against the Bisons.
Game 11: Lipscomb 102, Covenant 60 (8-3)
Dec. 17 at Allen Arena
A much-needed reprieve amidst a difficult non-conference slate, Lipscomb takes an easy win over a D-III opponent. The walk-ons and freshmen see significant playing time in the second half.
Game 12: Vermont 78, Lipscomb 74 (OT) (8-4)
Dec. 21 at Allen Arena
The Vermont matchup is perhaps Lipscomb’s most intriguing non-conference game. The Catamounts fell victim to eventual-Cinderella UMBC on a last-second shot by Jarius Lyles in March’s America East title game. This seems like a contest that could go either way.
Game 13: Clemson 83, Lipscomb 68 (8-5)
Dec. 30 in Clemson, S.C.
The Tigers are fresh off a Sweet Sixteen run that ended with an 80-76 loss to Kansas. Guards Shelton Mitchell and Marquise Reed have Clemson poised to return to the Big Dance. A Lipscomb upset would be very surprising.
Game 14: Lipscomb 78, Jacksonville 75 (9-5, 1-0 ASUN)
Jan. 5 in Jacksonville, Fla.
The Dolphins held Rob Marberry in check last season, but that won’t be the case this time around. The FRA graduate goes for 20 points in a narrow Lipscomb win.
Game 15: Lipscomb 82, North Florida 78 (10-5, 2-0 ASUN)
Jan. 9 at Allen Arena
North Florida has been the thorn in Lipscomb’s side over the last few years, and the Ospreys are likely to be one of the main league contenders behind the Bisons. This game will be close, but a big performance from Garrison Mathews will be enough for Lipscomb to escape.
Game 16: Lipscomb 94, Stetson 63 (11-5, 3-0 ASUN)
Jan. 12 at Allen Arena
Outside of the return of sophomore forward Abaymoi Iyiola, the Hatters don’t have much experience. Lipscomb will make quick work of Stetson in both of this season’s meetings.
Game 17: Lipscomb 81, NJIT 72 (12-5, 4-0 ASUN)
Jan. 16 in Newark, N.J.
Lipscomb has won five of its six games against NJIT. The Highlanders lost Anthony Tarke (15.7 PPG) to UTEP, although Abdul Lewis returns after considering a transfer and the NBA Draft. However, the Bisons will continue their dominance over NJIT this season.
Game 18: Lipscomb 86, Kennesaw State 70 (13-5, 5-0 ASUN)
Jan. 21 at Allen Arena
Without James Scott (17.3 PPG) and Nick Masterson (15.8 PPG), the Owls won’t pack nearly as much offensive punch as they did a season ago. A loaded Lipscomb roster will leave the ASUN’s rebuilding teams in the dust.
Game 19: Lipscomb 90, FGCU 75 (14-5, 6-0 ASUN)
Jan. 24 at Allen Arena
The Bisons have dropped two straight home games to the Eagles, but that won’t continue this year.
Game 20: Lipscomb 102, Stetson 84 (15-5, 7-0 ASUN)
Jan. 27 in Deland, Fla.
See previous Stetson prediction. All five Lipscomb starters finish in double figures.
Game 21: Liberty 71, Lipscomb 66 (15-6, 7-1 ASUN)
Jan. 29 in Lynchburg, Va.
The Vines Center is unfamiliar territory for the Bisons. Guard Scottie James, a second-team All-Big South selection last season, is the Flames’ best returning player. This feels like a game with upset potential, so I’m taking Liberty.
Game 22: Lipscomb 96, North Alabama 62 (16-6, 8-1 ASUN)
Feb. 2 at Allen Arena
The Lions are going to struggle in their first season as a Division I school, as Kendall Stafford and Kendarius Smith are the team’s only two returning players. Lipscomb wins in a blowout.
Game 23: North Florida 94, Lipscomb 82 (16-7, 8-2 ASUN)
Feb. 6 in Jacksonville, Fla.
Lipscomb has lost its last five games at UNF Arena, and that trend will continue this year. Guard Garrett Sams and forward Wajid Aminu have given the Bisons fits in the past, and Ivan Gandia-Rosa (13.8 PPG) emerged as a scoring threat last season.
Game 24: Lipscomb 81, Jacksonville 71 (17-7, 9-2 ASUN)
Feb. 9 at Allen Arena
Along with North Florida and FGCU, Jacksonville is the other team that appears to be an ASUN contender. The Dolphins return Jace Hogan and J.D. Notae, and Ohio State transfer David Bell is now eligible. But that won’t be enough for a win in Nashville.
Game 25: Lipscomb 72, Liberty 64 (18-7, 10-2 ASUN)
Feb. 13 at Allen Arena
After losing in Lynchburg, the Bisons will be determined for a victory here. The inside-out game of Mathews and Marberry will be too much for the Flames to beat twice.
Game 26: Lipscomb 90, Kennesaw State 71 (19-7, 11-2 ASUN)
Feb. 16 in Atlanta, Ga.
See previous Kennesaw State prediction. Nate Moran has another huge game at the KSU Convocation Center after dropping eight three-pointers and 24 points against the Owls in 2017.
Game 27: FGCU 89, Lipscomb 84 (19-8, 11-3 ASUN)
Feb. 20 in Ft. Myers, Fla.
After losing the ASUN title game at Alico Arena in March, the Eagles will be determined to get a win on their home floor. FGCU wins a close one to make the ASUN standings interesting.
Game 28: Lipscomb 88, NJIT 73 (20-8, 12-3 ASUN)
Feb. 26 at Allen Arena
See previous NJIT prediction. The Bisons clinch the ASUN regular season title.
Game 29: Lipscomb 87, North Alabama 67 (21-8, 13-3 ASUN)
March 1 in Florence, Ala.
See previous North Alabama prediction. Lipscomb caps the regular season with two straight victories.
FINAL RECORD: 21 wins, 8 losses (13-3 in ASUN play)