Growing up in Sheboygan, Jacob Ognacevic, forward for the Lipscomb Bisons, nostalgically remembers those days when he cheerfully supported his home-state team, the Wisconsin Badgers, as they clinched back-to-back Final Four spots in 2014 and 2015. His excitement was augmented by the fact that Sam Dekker, a key player on those Badgers teams, hailed from the same high school Ognacevic attended.
Fast forward a decade, and now Ognacevic is on the brink of his own Cinderella story. As part of Lipscomb University’s basketball team, with an impressive 25-9 record, Ognacevic is set to participate in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018. Lipscomb, seeded 14th in the South Region, is scheduled to face Iowa State, sporting a 24-9 record, this Friday in Milwaukee. The team secured their tournament spot by triumphing over North Alabama, 76-65, in the Atlantic Sun Conference Championship, extending their winning streak to six games. Ognacevic shines brightly this season, averaging 20.1 points and 8.1 rebounds, and receiving accolades as the Atlantic Sun Player of the Year.
Remarkably, this season’s success follows a challenging period for Ognacevic, who sat out entirely in the previous season due to a bone bruise in his right knee. Towering at 6-foot-8, the senior forward has made a striking comeback, setting personal records in numerous statistics. Reflecting on his improvements, Ognacevic stated, “I think I’ve become a better passer… I’m shooting the 3-ball better this year.” He attributes his enhanced performance to stronger physical strength and improved skills after his recuperation period.
His journey to Lipscomb involved a transfer from Valparaiso, amidst pandemic restrictions, which limited his campus visits. Despite these challenges, Ognacevic successfully integrated into the team and averaged 11.2 points, primarily as a reserve in 2021-22, escalating to 17.7 points in the 2022-23 season, leading to his current standout role.
“To play in the NCAA Tournament is a dream many young players envision,” remarked Ognacevic, relishing the chance to realize this ambition.
Mid-major and low-major programs this week feature many noteworthy players to keep an eye on, including Akron’s Nate Johnson, who is gearing up for a first-round match against Arizona in Seattle. Johnson, a key player for Akron (28-6), made headlines scoring a decisive basket with just 2 seconds remaining, aiding his team to a comeback victory over Miami (Ohio) in the Mid-American Conference Championship, where he was recognized as the MAC’s Player and Defensive Player of the Year.
Yale’s Bez Mbeng also stands out, preparing to face Texas A&M in Denver. Named the Ivy League Player and Defensive Player of the Year, Mbeng averages 13.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.9 steals and has achieved triple-doubles multiple times this season for Yale (22-7).
Another key player is Max Shulga of VCU, playing against BYU in Denver. Hailing from Ukraine, Shulga captured the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year title, recording notable performances for VCU (28-6).
Drake’s Bennett Stirtz, meanwhile, is set to battle Missouri in Wichita, Kansas. After moving with coach Ben McCollum from Division II to Division I, Stirtz has established himself at Drake (30-3), topping the league with scoring averages of 19.1 points and leading in steals.
Lastly, Omaha’s Marquel Sutton and UC San Diego’s Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones also promise intriguing performances. Sutton, highlighted in the Summit League, scored consecutively in 14 games, whereas Tait-Jones dominates in free-throw attempts, leading UC San Diego to an impressive first-season qualification for the NCAA Tournament. Each player brings distinct dynamics and stories to March Madness 2023.
