After winning the Midwest Conference tournament and earning a historic National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Tournament berth, the Grinnell College men’s basketball team has high expectations for the 2025-26 season. The team, however, will aim to repeat their success without nine of the 20 players on the 2024-25 squad. This season features eight new first-years.
The early process of bonding the eight newcomers together happened as part of a happy accident, according to head coach David Arseneault Jr. `09.
All eight were placed in Norris Hall, something that Arseneault, who has coached the team since 2016, did not intentionally plan. However, the placement has made connecting with teammates easy, according to first-year wing John O’Leary `29.
“It’s super easy to hang out,” O’Leary said. “We’ll go play cards downstairs or just walk to D-Hall together, walk to the gym together.”
The first-years are in the process of learning the Grinnell System. The unique style of basketball, sometimes compared to pick up by players, involves shooting threes, constant full-court pressure and frequent player substitutions. It’s a process to learn, but it’s being embraced by the first years.
“It should be fun,” said first-year wing Luka Pinto `29. “I’m more of an offense guy, and I love shooting.”
Many of the early practices for the team have been devoted to teaching the System, Arseneault explained to The S&B. “Our older guys have been very patient and actually helpful.” Arseneault also noted their presence resulted in “additional coaches on the floor.”
Fourth years Nick Courtney `26 and Sean Walser `26, along with third-year Nick Lundy `27, have been named captains this year. The first years have already felt their leadership.
“He’s our guy that puts the team together, makes sure everybody’s in check. He’s giving me advice on and off,” said Pinto of Lundy. Still recovering from an injury, Lundy is working his way back and has not yet practiced. But the injury hasn’t stopped Lundy from stepping in as a coach according to Arseneault.
Courtney’s leadership has also made an impact. “He makes an effort to make sure all the freshmen are doing what they’re supposed to,” explained O’Leary. “He really does make an effort to come talk to us.”
The first years have added athleticism to the team, something that is noticeable to older players such as third-year forward Kai Te Huki `27.
“I think our team is very young this year,” Te Huki said. “But I think we’re at an all-time high in talent. When it boils down, I feel like the talent will take precedence over the youth.”
The team is gearing up for the home opener on Friday, Nov. 7, against Kalamazoo College. Kalamazoo defeated Grinnell last year, 130-115.
“It’s going to be a cool environment. I’ve been dying for eight months to get out there,” Te Huki said.
It is rare for the Grinnell team to play on Friday nights, especially outside of the Midwest Conference tournament, Arseneault said, but the home Friday night environment promises to be exciting.
“We’ve had a great home record historically, and in large part it’s because of the support we get,” Arseneault added.
The first years said they are excited to get on the court for the first time in front of the home fans. “There’s like an almost infectious energy there,” O’Leary said. “It really gets the team going.”
The home environment is also meaningful for upperclassman players like Te Huki.
“When you’re coming out of halftime, everyone’s in their jerseys on the left side,” Te Huki said. “All the townies are in the middle. It’s a pretty amazing feeling. This is the biggest group of people I see in Grinnell, Iowa, all the time. It’s just special to see that many people care about the sport.”
Men’s basketball exhibition games begin on Tuesday, Oct. 21 against North Iowa Community College at Darby. The regular season begins Friday, Nov. 7, at home against Kalamazoo at 7 p.m.
