There are a lot of positives in their second full season at Grinnell -- a new gymnasium, two star players and a new lease on life after an 8-15 season in 2004-05.

John Grotberg, a sophomore guard, averages 29.1 points per game, second in Division III, while coach David Arseneault's son, David Arseneault, runs the point to an elevated total of 185 assists and a 19.0-point average. Meanwhile, Grinnell improved to 14-9 last season and picked up three more games in the standings this year, to enter the Midwest Conference tournament at 17-6. The Pioneers' system of pushing the ball on offense, shooting any available 3-pointer and trapping on defense in the backcourt is alive and well, pushing Grinnell to an average of 112.5 points per game.

The elder Arseneault is the subject of Gordon Mann's weekly D3hoops.com podcast interview. Learn what nearly happened to The System this preseason -- you'll be shocked! Download Part 1 and Part 2 by right-clicking on the links and choosing the appropriate command.

Hear a refreshing take from a coach that is willing to state out loud that his conference isn't one of the best in Division III. (True honesty, a rarity.) Has the school's 2005 ESPN appearance helped recruiting at all? What does Grinnell look for in a recruit? How does The System work, and where did its name come from?

Learn all that and more in D3hoops.com's weekly interview. The Midwest Conference plays its semifinals tonight at Grinnell. D3hoops.com is also broadcasting the CUNYAC finals this evening. Stay tuned throughout the weekend to find out who's in the tournament, leading up to the Selection Sunday show on Hoopsville on Sunday night!