SF State scored a slam dunk when they acquired Bill Treseler as their new head men’s basketball coach. With his hard working philosophy and a winning track record, SF State appears to be in good hands
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Coach Treseler came over from Dominican University, where he was named Cal Pac Conference “Coach of the Year” the past four seasons. He established a dominant overall record of 118-53, and was even better within his own conference compiling a 71-10 record, during his five seasons at Dominican University.

Assistant Coach Jake MacLeod-Roemer believes that it is Treseler’s “even keel” persona that leads to his success on the court.

“He understands that it takes consistency and hard work to be successful,” MacLeod-Roemer said. “(He believes) you don’t live and die on one day.”

Zack Johnson, the starting point guard on last year’s squad, says even though Treseler is not a yeller, he is still very effective at getting across his message and achieving results.

“He is the type of guy that might not cuss, but he demands perfection,” Johnson said. “That is why he has been successful at other schools.”

Johnson has not played much under Coach Treseler, with practice beginning this weekend, but he has already seen enough to get a read on what kind of team he wants to put together.

“We are going to have a structured team,” Johnson said. “We are going to outsmart our opponents... We are going to limit our mistakes.”

Johnson, a junior, already sees a big difference from last year’s program. This season there has been more emphasis on conditioning and the expectations are sky high.

“Our conditioning has been a lot harder, but it will pay off in the long run,” Johnson said. “I think we are looking pretty good, we have a strong core (of players). Expectations are high and we are ready for the season to start.”

Another difference from last year fans might notice is the subtraction of freshman standout Joe Robertson. He was looking to be one of the key returning players this year, until he transferred to Concordia University of Irvine. However, Coach Treseler says there are couple of familiar faces eager to pick up the slack left from Robertson’s departure.

“Kelan Joshua is a 6 foot 5 forward who is very athletic and an excellent rebounder,” Treseler said. “He is a very good team leader and is primed for a good senior year. Zack Johnson is our tough solid quarterback, he runs the team. He is a really intelligent player.”

Coach Treseler is pleased with the “upbeat atmosphere” that is swirling around the team and the approaching season. He believes there are strong characteristics that go into making a winner.
"Unselfishness, competitiveness, and work ethic, that is what goes into making a successful and championship team,” Treseler said.

Although it is early, Treseler already sees these traits shaping his team.

“We are a very unselfish team,” Treseler said. “We are a very balanced scoring team that is also very versatile.”

Johnson, who is one of the leaders of the team, seems to have taken Treseler’s philosophy to heart.
“We might not be the most athletic team, but we will be the hardest working team,” Johnson said.

It is this blue collar, bring your hard hat to work everyday mentality that Coach Treseler preaches, and the players seem to be responding. Now they just have to wait and see if it translates into some wins for the Gators this season.