by Cory Woodroof | Aug 20, 2012 | News Slider, Sports
A trip to Rupp Arena, Oxford, Miss., and Memphis are just a few of the highlights on the Lipscomb men’s basketball schedule for the 2012-13 season that was unveiled today. The Bisons are set to take on a few big-name teams this season, including the defending National Champions, the Kentucky Wildcats. Outside of conference games, the men’s team will play Kentucky, Ole Miss, Memphis, Gardner-Webb and Austin Peay at their respective stadiums. At home, the Bisons will play Freed-Hardeman, Maryville, Tennessee Tech, UT Martin and recent NCAA tournament participants Murray State in their non-conference match-ups. The annual Battle of the Boulevard series against Belmont will take place at Allen Arena on Friday, Nov. 9, and at Belmont on Tuesday, Dec. 4. This is the first series in which the Bruins are competing outside of the Atlantic Sun Conference, as the team moved into the Ohio Valley Conference earlier this year. Coach Scott Sanderson, entering his 13th season as head coach of the men’s basketball team, told Lipscomb Athletics that he believes having home games against notable, non-conference opponents is very significant for the team. “Those games are important to us,” he said. “Having a couple of marquee games at home like Belmont and Murray State, who will be the first top-25 team to ever come in here and play, is huge.” Sanderson also believes that the lofty schedule might be one of the team’s toughest in recent years. “This is probably one of the most challenging schedules we’ve had,” Sanderson said. “With Memphis, Kentucky and Ole Miss, who I think is going to be a really good SEC team, along with...
by Cory Woodroof | Jul 10, 2012 | News Slider, Sports
The Lipscomb men’s basketball team will travel to historic Rupp Arena to play the defending national champion Kentucky Wildcats on Dec. 15. The Wildcats last played the Bisons in Lexington during the 2005-2006 season, resulting in a 67-49 victory for Kentucky. Men’s basketball Head Coach Scott Sanderson expressed his excitement for the upcoming game. “Any team that plays Kentucky is going to be excited about it. There is a difference,” Sanderson said. “We have played at North Carolina, at Memphis and N.C. State. We have played in a lot of places, and by far, that is the best atmosphere I have ever been in for playing a college basketball game.” For Sanderson, this represents a unique occasion for the Bisons. “When people think of college basketball they think of Kentucky,” Sanderson said. “To be able to play those guys in Rupp Arena, like we did in 2005, is a great opportunity for the program and for the university.” The men’s full 2012-2013 schedule is set to be released next week, which will include other non-conference matchups. Those looking for tickets can contact the Kentucky box office at (859) 257-1818. (Quotes and information courtesy of the Lipscomb athletic department. Photo from USA...
by Emily Snell | Jun 20, 2012 | News Slider, Sports
For the first time in five years there will be a new voice on the Lipscomb basketball bench this fall as Bisons Head Coach Scott Sanderson announces the hiring of Ryan Cahak as assistant coach for the program. The 28-year-old Cahak comes to Lipscomb after spending the last two seasons as a member of the University of Tennessee staff in Knoxville as a graduate assistant working with the likes of Milwaukee Bucks forward Tobias Harris, the 19th pick of the 2011 NBA Draft. “Ryan has been with some really good people,” Sanderson said. “He played for Jim Boeheim at Syracuse and has worked under Bruce Pearl and Cuonzo Martin. Those are some really good basketball genes in my opinion. “He’s been around some really good basketball people with different philosophies on how to do things differently. I think that’s a big asset for Ryan.” Cahak headed to “Rocky Top” to work with the Volunteer post players after a year at Colgate as the Raiders’ director of operations. “It’s a great opportunity here at Lipscomb with Coach Sanderson and the rest of the staff,” said Cahak. “I’m excited to jump in, learn from the guys and hopefully have a successful season.” The Syracuse native graduated from his hometown university in 2008 having suited up for the Orange for three seasons under Boeheim. Cahak prepped at St. Thomas More School in Oakdale, Conn., and the Bisons plan to build on his connections in the region to expand recruiting efforts. “About a month ago we talked about starting to recruit prep schools more, and Ryan played at St. Thomas Moore, so that...
by Emily Snell | May 3, 2012 | News Slider, Sports
NASHVILLE – They will be in two different conferences next season, but they still share the same boulevard. Lipscomb University remains in the Atlantic Sun Conference, but Belmont shifts to the Ohio Valley Conference beginning with the 2012-2013 academic year. But that doesn’t mean the basketball rivalry between the two schools, known as the “Battle of the Boulevard” is over. Today both schools are announcing that the rivalry will remain intact with Lipscomb hosting the first meeting on Friday, Nov. 9. It will be the regular season opener for both teams. The rematch is Tuesday, Dec. 4, at Belmont. “It is a good thing for both teams and for both universities to continue playing,” Lipscomb Coach Scott Sanderson said. “There is so much attention put on both of those games every year. “The biggest difference is the games will be played in November and December instead of January and February. We will play the first game of the season here at Allen Arena. It will be a great atmosphere for both programs and both programs will benefit from it.” Ticket information will be available in early fall. Press release from Lipscomb...
by Hunter Patterson | Feb 29, 2012 | News Slider, Sports
Bison basketball players Damarius Smith and Marvin Williams have been suspended from the team and are not present at Wednesday’s Atlantic Sun tournament game versus Mercer. Lumination alluded to the possibility of this on Monday when the two were not at the team’s practice. As of Wednesday night at 7 p.m., Smith and Williams are no longer members of the Bison basketball team. In an official announcement from the athletic department, the two players have been “suspended” from the team permanently. “Damarius Smith and Marvin Williams have been suspended indefinitely and will not participate in postseason play. They are not traveling with the team,” the statement reported. On Monday, Lipscomb head coach Scott Sanderson said that it was mainly a “disciplinary issue” with Smith. Sanderson did not elaborate on Williams’ status at the time but said he had missed the last four games because he has been “banged up” with a knee injury. Saturday was not the first time Smith had been held out of playing. Earlier this season against Belmont, Smith dressed and warmed up with the team but did not enter the game. “It was just a discipline issue,” Sanderson said of Smith’s status in the Belmont game. “We handled it internally, and we moved forward.” “We’re just trying to learn and do what’s right,” he said. “Sometimes being young is difficult, and we are just trying to learn from day to day and do the right thing.” However, with the suspension of the players, it seems the team, as well as Smith and Williams, had reached their breaking point. This makes for eight players that have either...
