Grinnell basketball brings high offense to Alma College on Sunday – The Morning Sun

Low-scoring basketball fans may want to stay away from Alma College’s Art Smith Arena on Sunday, as Mike Fitzpatrick’s Scots will open their 2024-25 home schedule against the wide-open basketball circus known as the Grinnell College Pioneers.

An academic powerhouse based in central Iowa, Grinnell spent nearly 35 years turning college basketball on its head with the offensive philosophy known as “The System.” A visit from Grinnell, who is probably best known for the 2012 game in which guard Jack Taylor exploded for 138 points (including 27 3-pointers), usually results in increased attendance. Sunday’s clash against the Scots should be no different.

Former head coach David Arseanault arrived in 1989 and quickly transformed a struggling team into an offensive juggernaut that eschewed traditional defense and shot at a frenetic pace. Conclusion? The countless scoring titles and other records are all driven by an exciting brand of basketball that fans must believe in.

The principles of the system are easy to understand: Press full court for the entire game. Shoot as fast as you can; ideally three-pointers. (The team’s warm-up jerseys just say “3>2.”) The Pioneers want to take at least 94 shots per game and say at least half of them should be threes.

Because the system requires so much energy, Grinnell makes a substitution every 35 seconds, bringing in five new players like a hockey team changing benches.

It usually works.

Grinnell is currently joined by Arsenault’s son, David Arsenault Jr. leading; This former player holds the NCAA record with 34 assists in a game, while another Grinnell player broke the record with 37 assists. Last year’s squad went 19-7 and was eclipsed by averaging 109.7 points. 148 points four times. Only a second-half comeback by Illinois College in the Midwest Conference championship game kept the Pioneers from an NCAA Tournament bid.

But occasionally the System finds its match, and Grinnell got his comeuppance from the Scots in Iowa last December. Alma fought off the Pioneer press and got 29 points from Colton Meister and 24 points from Connor Riley to win 116-102 in the second half.

This year’s Pioneers team will look to return the favor by bringing back New Zealand’s leading scorer Kai Te Huki (27.8 ppg). Alma, meanwhile, will have to replace its top three offensive threats from a season ago, including Montabella native Riley (17.2 ppg).

Despite visiting from out of state, Grinnell brings a local flair; because at least one local resident can show up wearing Pioneer red and black. Alma native and physician Stephanie Goggin is not only a 2010 Grinnell graduate, but also serves as the student manager for the Pioneer basketball team, with in-game responsibilities that include coordinating Pioneer’s crazy substitution system.

Tip-off is scheduled for 1pm and the Scots hope to pack the house for one of their two home games ahead of the New Year. Fans who cannot attend can watch the event at almascots.com or listen on 104.9 FM WQBX radio.