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Men's basketball secures playoff spot with a win

by Kevin Byrne

The Grinnell College men's basketball team put themselves one step closer to a playoff spot after beating Illinois College in Jacksonville, Ill. with a final score of 100-89.

The nation's leading offense (118.9 points per game) put up triple digits once again as they completed their season sweep of the Illinois College Blueboys.

John Grotberg '09, the nation's leading scorer (32.0 points per game), led the way for the Pioneers with a game-high 37 points, 27 of those points coming from behind the arc.

Doug Ticus '07 had a season-high 15 points, Bobby Long '09 had 12 points and Toby Carlson '06 had six points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals.

"The game at IC was a great win for the team. We knew that a win would likely secure a playoff spot, which it did." said Ticus. "During the game I felt really good. I got my stroke down with a few early free throws. With double teams on John [Grotberg] I was left with a half a hand in my face on most of my shots."

The Blueboys' defense could not handle the pressure from Grotberg or the rest of the Pioneers.

"After hitting a couple threes I think the defense realized they had to change something. That's when we really blew the game open," said Ticus. "I hit a three and then John caught fire hitting four threes in a row. That was the point when I knew we had a playoff spot."

The Pioneers officially secured their third place position in the Midwest Conference after their win against Knox College on Feb. 15. The men were defeated by the Prairie Fire earlier this season in Galesburg, Ill. so they were looking for a little revenge at home.

The Pioneers got what they wanted on Wednesday, defeating Knox by almost 20 points, ending the game with a final score of 102-83.

The game against Knox was more than a matter of pride for the Grinnell men's basketball team. "? the Knox game [was] our final home game, senior night, and essentially the game that decide[d] third place in our conference," said Keith Chamberlain '08

The Knox game was indeed the last home game for the three seniors on the team, Paul Nordlund, Jack Kennedy and Toby Carlson.

Unfortunately, Nordlund spent his last home game on the bench as he remains on the injured list with a serious knee injury.

A win this Saturday ends any questions as to the possible scenarios for the Pioneers.

The top positions in the conference are yet to be determined, but the players and coaching staff are only worried about themselves at this point.

This last pair of wins gives the Pioneers a record of 14-7 (10-5 MWC), going into the last game of the regular season.

Grinnell will go up against Lake Forest on the road and then it is off to the playoffs for the Pioneers. The men will hit the road to play Lake Forest this Saturday.

"The game plans' will not change," said Head Coach Dave Arseneault. "We are trying to win as many games as we can."

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