Lipscomb Basketball

The Tennessean is reporting that Lipscomb University's leading scorer, Jordan Burgason, has apparently been dismissed from the school for violating team rules.  

Burgason not only led the Bisons in scoring, but had the top three-point percentage shooter in the nation at the time.  

In a statement from Philip Hutcheson, the school's Athletic Director, it was revealed that "he [Burgason] broke university rules that he knew he was breaking. We had clearly advised him, and he was aware of the consequences of making a bad decision.”

The senior guard was in the midst of yet another fantastic season, leading his team in three-point shooting and averaging over 16 points a game.

In a statement, after his dismissal, Burgason said “I want to thank Lipscomb for the unbelievable opportunity that it has given me. The whole university has showed so much grace to me. But despite that, my actions have not shown a respect for the university and its policies and for that I am sorry. I'll never forget the memories that I've made here. Thank you for the love and support that everyone has shown throughout my time here. You will always be family to me.”

Notes:

CBS Sports named Burgason the preseason No. 24 shooter in America for 2011-12 and still owns the Lipscomb NCAA-era record for three-pointers with 282.  

I have had Lipscomb under my radar for the past few seasons, and every year the Bisons have played well and just barely let me down.

In 2008-09, Lipscomb got off to a slow start, but then ended the regular season on a nine-game winning streak. The Bisons managed to crush my hopes with a first round loss to Jacksonville in the Atlantic Sun tournament. 

In 2009-10, Lipscomb got off to a slow start, losing its first four games. The Bisons heated up in conference play and finished the regular season as the Atlantic Sun champions. However, the Bisons managed to squash my wishes once more with a very disappointing loss to Kennesaw State in the first round of the Atlantic Sun tournament.

This will be the year that Lipscomb does not disappoint.

The Bisons nearly have their whole roster from last season; they only lost one player who played in more than four games last season.

Lipscomb will have four seniors: Adnan Hodzic, Josh Slater, Brandon Brown and Micahel Teller. As juniors, these four combined for 55.2 points per game.

Last season, Hodzic absolutely dominated scoring as many as 37 points against Mercer and grabbing as many as 20 rebounds against Kennesaw State. Hodzic recorded 11 double-doubles and scored 20 or more points on 22 different occasions. It is only logical to assume that Hodzic will be at least a little better as a senior. 

Slater was unfairly overshadowed by Hodzic last season. Slater scored 17.1 points per game, grabbed 5.4 rebounds per game, and averaged 5.2 assists per game. Slater had a season-high of 35 points at East Tennessee State and 11 assists against Florida Gulf Coast and Kennesaw State.

Brown and Teller were both solid last year. Brown scored 10.4 points per game, while Teller scored 5.2 points per game. Both players will be expected to have improved over the offseason. 

The Bisons also have a solid junior class, which is led by Jordan Burgason and Brian Wright. Burgason scored 12.8 points per game and shot 43.8 percent from beyond the arc last season. Wright averaged 5.8 points per game.

So, Lipscomb has a lot of talent, some depth and a lot of leadership. Even if that is enough to win the Atlantic Sun (which will still be tough with teams like Belmont and East Tennessee State), will it be enough to pull off an upset over a top 25 team in the regular season or a NCAA Tournament opponent?

It is too tough to tell with the season not even underway for the Bisons. The Bisons did schedule up so they would at least have a chance at getting a big win in the regular season. They will play at North Carolina on Friday night, and play No. 14 Baylor and No. 19 Memphis later in the season.

Do not be surprised if Lipscomb gives one of these teams a tough game.

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The fourth installment of the "Players to Watch" series, this time featuring the Atlantic Sun Conference.

Junard Hartley, Campbell Fighting Camels

Campell finished in a four way tie for first in conference record last season, but lost in the first round of the conference tournament to eventual champion East Tennessee State University.

Entering his senior season, Junard Hartley will be the leader of this Fighting Camels team (how awesome a name is that?) and the one calling the shots from the point guard position.

Held to three assists or fewer in only four games last season, Hartley finished with the best assists per game in the A-Sun, and accumulated 10 or more assists in three games (to put this in perspective, John Wall did it four times last season).  Add his conference leading 2.6 steals per game to his accomplishments, and you get a pretty impressive resume.

It is probably worth mentioning that both of those stats are also top 20 in the nation, making it all the more impressive.  If Hartley can continue churning out strong numbers, Campbell just might be dancing next season.

Markeith Cummings, Kennesaw State Owls

Markeith Cummings may only be entering his sophomore season, but he has already established himself as a force in the Atlantic Sun.

An explosive scorer from almost anywhere on the court, Cummings finished top five in the conference in scoring, and also added a top 10 finish in rebounding.

While his rebounding numbers are decent, his scoring ability is unbelievable.  Held to single digits only once last season, Cummings once scored 30 points on only 20 shots (also finishing four of nine from three).

The Owls may not have had a great season last year, but it will be exciting to see what Cummings can do as his game develops and to see he can take this Kennesaw State team.

Tommy Hubbard, East Tennessee State Buccaneers

Tommy Hubbard's all-around contributions to East Tennessee State landed them a spot in the NCAA Tournament.  Returning for his senior season, Hubbard hopes to carry the Buccaneers to the Big Dance one more time.

Hubbard is the kind of player who fills up stat-lines, and fills them up pretty nicely.  In the Atlantic Sun last season, Hubbard finished top three in rebounding, top ten in scoring, and top ten in steals.

Whether on the glass, from his jump shot, or on defense, Hubbard's contributions were seen in every game, and he is a vital player to East Tennessee's success.

The Atlantic Sun should be pretty competitive again this season, and the Buccaneers will be relying on Hubbard to carry them to the top once again.

Adnan Hodzic, Lipscomb Bisons

Adnan Hodzic withdrew from the NBA Draft earlier this year, much to the chagrin of the 10 other teams in the Atlantic Sun.  Hodzic is probably the best player in college basketball that nobody's heard of.

Finishing second in scoring in the country last season, Hodzic finish first in scoring in conference and second in rebounding.  He is an absolute offensive machine, never once scoring in single digits and recording 20 or more points in the final 12 games of the season last year.

A center at only 6-9, Hodzic gives teams problems all game long because of his ridiculous ability to get the basket.  However, Lipscomb finished tied for the best conference record and bowed out early in the conference tournament.

Look for Hodzic to do better in his senior season.

Freshman to Watch: Luis Jacobo, Stetson Hatters

Stetson may have had the worst conference record last season, but that doesn't mean they won't have one of the best freshman in the Atlantic Sun.

Luis Jacobo could be the key to turning around the Hatters' program, as he is an excellent all around player.  

Noted for his rebounding and defensive ability, Jacobo is also an explosive slasher who should greatly help Stetson on the offensive end.  He could be the immediate answer to help the Hatters have a stronger finish in the Atlantic Sun this year.

Wednesday, March 4, Allen Arena (Nashville, Tennessee)

No.7 Stetson vs. No. 2 East Tennessee State

The regular season was split between these two teams as the games were both close but Stetson has lost four in a row so I have to give the advantage to the lower seed. East Tennessee State wins.

Thursday, March 5

No. 6 Mercer vs. No. 3 Belmont

The regular season was split this year between Mercer and Belmont, both teams are three-point happy teams so really whoever has the better shooting game will come out of this one with a win. I'm going to go with Belmont due to the seeding, Belmont wins.

No. 5 Campbell vs. #4 Lipscomb

The regular season was split and both teams are on a roll coming in with winning streaks. Lipscomb just seems to be the better team though as they dominated Campbell at Campbell so I am giving them the edge. Lipscomb wins.

Friday, March 6th

No. 2 East Tennessee State vs. No. 3 Belmont

East Tennessee State came off of a tough road trip losing three of four, including one to Belmont, but seem to have got right back on their game. They have dominated in their last two. The 30-point victory over Belmont earlier in the year shows that they know how to play against Belmont. East Tennessee State wins.

No. 1 Jacksonville vs. No. 4 Lipscomb

I dont know if Jacksonville can actually slow Lipscomb down. They lost at Lipscomb earlier and this would be the spot for Lipscomb to get shut down. But, I don't see that happening so Lipscomb rides its hot ride to the championship game. Lipscomb wins.

Saturday, March 7

No. 2 East Tennessee State vs. No. 4 Lipscomb

Both teams are going to be a little worn out by this game playing three in the past four days at least. Lipscomb has more go to players that would be able to step up on game day and help them move past another game and continue their hot streak to the NCAAs. Lipscomb wins.