The Acadia men’s basketball missed much of last season due to injury; a broken hand suffered in practice over the Christmas break ended his year and took a year of eligibility.
“I had played too much to think about getting my year back,” he said, so it was doubly disappointing. “This year is a redemption year for me.”
His team could use some redemption, too. The Axemen missed the Atlantic University Sport playoffs with a 2014-2015 record of five wins and 15 losses.
The six-foot-five Fredericton native said last season was “kind of a mess.
“I’m concentrating on this season.”
The fourth-year player recruited by then-Axemen head coach Steve Baur out of Fredericton High School. He started his Acadia career in the fall of 2012, but was on the court long before.
“I’ve played basketball as long as I can remember,” he said. “I started as soon as they let me.”
Choosing the hardwood
As he got older, Arseneault played other sports, including football.
“I was also the quarterback on our high school football team,” he said. “I was recruited by St. F.X., Trinity Western and, of course, Acadia, for basketball and by Acadia, St.F.X., Mount Allison and Brock for football.
“It was quite a decision. It came down to Acadia and X for basketball. I felt Acadia was a better fit for me – a good school, a good team, and an opportunity to win,” he recalled.
The next decision: one sport or two at Acadia?
“I decided it was better to focus on one,” Arseneault said, “and I if I was only going to play one sport, it was going to be basketball.”
He joined a veteran basketball Axemen team that finished fourth in the country after qualifying for Canadian Interuniversity Sport nationals as a wildcard and finished fourth in the country.
“It was a great experience for someone in their rookie season,” he said.
Change-up
Arseneault came to camp in Wolfville this year determined to make up for lost time and to earn a spot in the starting lineup.
“I’m pleased to be able to start,” he said about achieving that goal. “I’m more comfortable starting.”
Last season’s disappointment for a relatively-young Axemen team was a “a real learning year for everyone,” he said.
“From last year to this year, there’s already been a big difference, especially in practice. It’s a complete 180-degree turn from last year in terms of feeling.”
He’s ready to take on a new role.
“I see myself as one of the team leaders. I like the pressure. I like to have the ball in my hands with the game on the line.”
With Erik Nissen joining Rhys Larry and Nick Ernest in the post, Arseneault has seen most of his playing time at the wing position, instead of his usual small forward spot.
The change “gives me more opportunities to be versatile,” he said, as well as more chances to shoot three-pointers.
“I have some confidence shooting the three,” he said. “I always have.”
On the upward bounce
“The team is trying to build some momentum in the pre-season to take us into the regular season,” Arseneault said, where he expects a tight Atlantic conference.
“We lost some close games last year. Hopefully we can make up the difference.
“I love playing close games,” he said. “I’d like to think I thrive under pressure.”
The sociology student says he had planned from the start to spend five years at Acadia and is unsure of his plans for after university.
“We’ll see what doors are open when I’m through with basketball.”
He’s not through yet.
“I would like to play basketball as long as I can. If I had the opportunity to go overseas and play, I’d like that,” he said.
Off the court, Arseneault takes part in team activities, such as the recent Run for the Cure fundraiser, works at Acadia’s summer basketball camps and volunteers at a nursing home as part of his coursework.
Arseneault says his focus is on being the best basketball player he can be and helping Acadia be the best team possible.
“I’m looking for us to surprise some people this year,” he said. “I think we have the team to do it. It’s fun sometimes being doubted.”
