Anderson’s MVP performance propels Bisons to NCAA for second time

Joe Anderson may not be the tallest player on the basketball court, but there is no question that he is one of the most determined and the go-to to make a play happen when the game is on the line.

Kim Chaudoin  |  03/11/2025

Anderson’s clutch shooting and dominant performance throughout the 2025 ASUN Conference Tournament led the Lipscomb Bisons to its second-ever NCAA Tournament berth and earned him Most Valuable Player honors. In the quarterfinals against Central Arkansas, he notched a career-high 28 points, sinking eight three-pointers while pulling down seven rebounds. He followed that performance with a 25-point effort in an overtime thriller against Queens University of Charlotte, adding four assists. Then, with the championship on the line on Sunday, he delivered once again scoring 23 points, including the final nine points of the game, to propel the Bisons past North Alabama for the title.

For Anderson, the accolades and championship moment were a culmination of years of hard work and a belief that basketball could be more than just a game — it could be a platform for him to share his faith.

A platform for faith

From the time he was young, basketball has been an important part of Anderson’s life. Though playing on an NCAA DI team is not something others thought was in his future, Anderson believed that he would have an opportunity to use basketball for a higher purpose.

"I've always been one of the smaller guys on the basketball court, even though I'm six feet tall. Growing up, people told me I wouldn’t be able to play Division I or earn a scholarship, but I fell in love with the process — working out with my dad, training with coaches and proving people wrong,” he recalls. “More than that, I grew up in a faith-based family, and since middle school, I’ve prayed, ‘God, if it’s Your will, give me a platform to reflect Your light and make Your name known through basketball.’ It’s incredible to see that prayer being answered right now."

The Maryville, Tennessee, native’s collegiate playing career began at Furman University, where he was a member of the Paladins' 2023 NCAA Tournament team. That season, Furman, a 13-seed, staged a dramatic upset over fourth-seeded Virginia in the opening round. But while Anderson got a taste of the NCAA postseason there, after two years in the program he longed for a bigger role, both on and off the court.

Finding a home at Lipscomb

Anderson sought a new opportunity — one that would allow him to grow both as a player and as a person. He arrived at Lipscomb ahead of the 2023-24 season, and since then has made a tremendous impact on the court starting every game for the Bisons the last two seasons and averaging 12.5 points per game this year.

From the moment Anderson stepped onto campus, he felt a deep connection with the program’s culture. Head coach Lennie Acuff, known for his emphasis on character-driven recruiting, played a key role in Anderson’s decision to transfer.

“Coach Acuff is one of the most honest, genuine people I’ve ever met,” Anderson says. “In this industry, that’s not always easy to find. He cares about who we are as people first, and he has created a locker room full of guys who truly care about each other.”

That camaraderie has been evident all season. Whether sharing meals at the team’s favorite local restaurants or celebrating in the locker room after big wins, the Bisons have built a bond that extends far beyond the court. Lipscomb’s Christ-centered community was a perfect fit for Anderson, who credits his teammates and coaches for shaping his spiritual journey.

“Coming to Lipscomb, I knew this was a place where my faith could grow, and I could be surrounded by people who would hold me accountable — not just in basketball but in life,” Anderson explains. “I’ve grown so much in my faith here. Guys like (teammates) Will Pruitt and Jack Ingold — they were ahead of me in their walk with God, and I’ve been able to learn so much from them.”

“The accountability and brotherhood in this program are unlike anything I’ve experienced. Having guys around you who hold you accountable is one of the biggest blessings,” he continues. “We push each other to be better, and that goes way beyond basketball.”

That chemistry has translated into success, as the Bisons stormed through the ASUN Tournament.

“We have so many guys who have sacrificed for the team,” he said. “Will Pruitt, who’s been here five years, could have said, ‘This is my team, I need all the shots.’ But instead, he just wanted to win. Gyasi Powell could have been the man at his old school but chose to come to Lipscomb to be part of something bigger or Jacob Ognacevic could have gone somewhere else and made a lot of money, but chose to stay. It's just really cool to see all these guys sacrifice a little bit so we can all achieve something great.”

When Anderson reflects on the successes he has had this season at Lipscomb and his recent accolades, he says it is a result of leaning on his faith for confidence to get through tough challenges.

“When I think about where I was just two years ago — averaging like one point at Furman — it would have been so easy to give up. But instead, I just kept praying,” he explains. “I prayed that God would give me courage, and I kept asking for peace. There's a verse in Proverbs — I believe it's Proverbs 28 — that says, ‘Don’t fear people, but if you have faith in the Lord, you can do anything.’ That truth carried me. I worked hard to let go of any worries about what people thought of me, about any judgment from others, and instead, I focused on playing for God. I realized that I have a God who is already proud of me, and that gave me so much confidence, especially toward the end of the season.”

Preparing for the future

Beyond the hardwood, Anderson has embraced his time as a Lipscomb student. He earned his undergraduate degree in university studies and is now enrolled in Lipscomb’s Master of Business Administration program in the College of Business. He also gains real-world experience through the program’s Directed Work Experience (DWE) at Brown & Brown Insurance, where he is exploring a potential future in sales.

“I love the business world and getting to learn from great mentors,” Anderson shares. “My managers have been incredibly supportive, even coming out to games. They’ve let me sit in on big meetings, and I’m just soaking up as much as I can.”

Academically, Anderson has been inspired by Lipscomb’s commitment to student success and its personal approach to education.

“I tell my younger friends all the time — come to Lipscomb,” he says. “The professors here care so much. They take the time to get to know me. They’re always available, giving out their phone numbers, checking in on you. The support system here is incredible. That doesn’t happen everywhere. The servant leadership at Lipscomb is something really special.”

That sense of support extends to Lipscomb’s fan base, which played a crucial role in the Bisons’ ASUN tournament run. He especially credits the Lippy Lunatics student section and its leader junior Jackson Gibree and to faculty, staff and alumni who packed Allen Arena, for creating an exciting atmosphere that was a driving force in the team’s success.

“We talk about it after every game — our fans made a huge difference,” Anderson says. “There’s no way we win that Queens game without them. It just means so much that people take the time to come out and cheer for us.”

Soaking in the moment

Anderson is the only Bison on this year’s squad who has been to the NCAA tournament before. Now he is eager to share that experience — and lessons learned — with his Lipscomb teammates.

"The biggest thing is to just enjoy the moment and not get so caught up in it that you start to doubt, but realizing we’ve put in just as much work as anyone else to be here,” he advises. “We’ve got a strong, experienced team, and when we’re hitting shots, we’re tough to beat. But more than that, we’re connected, and that makes a difference.”

Regardless of what unfolds in the tournament, Anderson is grateful for the journey that has brought him here and to share this experience with his teammates.

“We just don’t want this season to end,” Anderson said. “This team is special, and we love playing together. Every extra day we get to do this is a blessing.”