For the Grinnell College men's basketball team, Tuesday night’s victory over Cornell College was twice as nice.
Not only did the 99-90 win keep the Pioneers in a first-place tie in the Midwest Conference (MWC) standings, it also marked the 300th career win for head coach David Arseneault.
Now in his 23rd year at Grinnell, Arseneault has become nationally and internationally renowned for his innovative coaching techniques and offensive-minded basketball, most recently covered in a Fox News report, Grinnell College has a 113.8-point plan for success.
Known for full-court pressing and 3-point shooting, his teams have led all playing levels in scoring for 16 of the past 18 seasons, while ranking first in the country in 3-point shooting for the 14 of the past 18 years.
A byproduct of the Pioneers’ high-flying, fast-paced basketball has been increased player participation, enthusiastic home crowds, and a virtual assault on the offensive records section compiled by the NCAA Statistics Office, including Jack Taylor ’15’s recent NCAA record-setting 138-point game.
Arseneault is one of only five men’s basketball coaches in the MWC to join the 300-win club. The team celebrated with a plaque commemorating the occasion.
Tuesday’s victory was also Arseneault’s 200th win in league play. The Pioneers improved to 17-4 overall and 14-3 in the MWC with the win, pushing Arseneault’s career marks to 300-234 overall and 200-155 in the conference.
A victory over Lawrence University on Saturday would assure the Pioneers at least a share of the MWC title and hosting rights for the following weekend’s league tournament.
Grinnell's away game at Lawrence, the regular-season finale, begins at 3 p.m. Saturday.
