The end of the winning trail: Grinnell men’s basketball falls in first round

Just six days earlier, the Grinnell men’s basketball players could not have appeared more jubilant after winning the Midwest Conference tournament at home, but on Friday, March 6, with a few minutes left in the game, the players looked deflated, angered, and resigned. They would eventually lose 118-86 in the first round of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III tournament to John Carroll University. A 12 game win streak, and with it the most successful season in Grinnell basketball history, had come to a screeching halt. 

Unlike the loss against the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in the NCAA tournament last year, Grinnell did not seem to be outclassed immediately. While the Pioneers never held the lead in the game, it was back and forth for the first few minutes. The game was hosted by Illinois Wesleyan University, meaning that Grinnell were not playing the home team, evidenced by the somewhat even representation of fans of each team.

Grinnell’s fatal flaw quickly became obvious, after they missed fifteen three-point shots in a row. “When we’re trying to build the energy and find the rhythm of the game, it’s harder when the ball’s not going in the hoop for you,” said Head Coach David Arseneault Jr. `09. 

The first half was marked by Grinnell missed baskets and clear displays of the emotion of the game. Early in the first half, John Carroll coach Pete Moran was visibly angry with the officials, causing Grinnell fans to stand up and cheer for their own team. 

As the half progressed, however, John Carroll’s lead steadily grew. Grinnell continued to miss shots, and seemed unable to deal with the opponent’s fast-paced offense that resembled the Pioneers’ own. Luke Chicone, point guard for the Blue Streaks and North Coast Athletic Conference player of the year, repeatedly dribbled through Grinnell’s defense before dishing out a no-look pass to a usually wide open teammate.

When the buzzer sounded for halftime, Grinnell were down 23. The Pioneers had shot just 23.3 percent on all shots and a measly 5.3 percent from the three-point line. John Carroll shot 50.0 percent for all shots and a staggering 45.5 percent from three. 

Grinnell was left with a mountain to climb, which captains and guards Sean Walser `26 and Nick Courtney `26 embraced as they attempted to rally the already desperate team. “We went in there, we kept our heads up, and really just told the guys we’ve been here before, and we’re still very capable of winning this basketball game,” said Walser after the game. 

“I think part of our team identity is just never quitting,” said Courtney. 

Grinnell players walk down the court against John Collins University on March 6, 2026. (Marc Duebener)

The second half was more of the same, and Grinnell found itself down by 43 with 7:08 left. Soon thereafter, after center Tyler Copes `29 was fouled, an interaction between guard Zach Rosen `26 and Arseneault seemed to encapsulate the entire game for Grinnell. 

Rosen, on the floor, walked towards Arseneault, arms wide with palms upwards and an exasperated look on his face. After Rosen finished speaking, Arseneault gestured to the bench to sub Rosen out of the game. The two continued to speak intensely as Rosen made his way down the bench. Guard Kingzten Bristol `29 replaced Rosen, who would not play for the next five minutes.

At that time, however, Coach Dave Arseneault Jr. called upon his core five seniors—Courtney, Rosen, Walser, guard Sean Murphy `26 and center John Vincent `26. The group of five seemed relaxed, confident and even a little happy, with smiles on the faces of a few of them. Vincent, ever the one to encourage his teammates and the crowd, looked ready to play, and quickly drew a foul. Grinnell began playing with the speed and execution that became the norm this season, finishing on a 10-1 run, with Vincent scoring six. 

Head Coach David Arseneault Jr. `09 argues with guard Zach Rosen `26 before benching him against John Collins University on March 6, 2026. (Marc Duebener)

Finding success within defeat is not foreign for the five seniors, whose first year on the team finished with an 8-16 record, with nine home losses, six of which were against conference opponents. In the three years following the 2022-23 season, Grinnell had four home losses, with only one coming in conference play.

“It’s my last two minutes of college basketball,” Walser said on the final push, “and we’ve had a very successful season with this team and really, these are my brothers and I want to go out fighting for them.”

Still, it was a disappointing end to a remarkable season. “Wish we figured them out,” Courtney said, adding later that they had figured out every opponent this season up until that game. 

“I am just thrilled without a season played out,” said Arseneault. “We set a school record for wins and arguably our most successful season in school history.”