To make a bigger splash in their next trial, the student and their friend should consider dropping the basketball from a greater height. This is because the potential energy of the ball is related to its height; a greater height results in a greater impact force upon entering the water, which can produce a larger splash.
However, based on the provided options, the response that makes the most sense in terms of achieving a bigger splash is:
They can use a ball with the same diameter but more mass.
Using a ball with more mass would increase the force upon impact with the water, potentially creating a bigger splash.