SF State men's basketball coach Bill Treseler doesn't consider himself a wizard. But when it comes to turning programs around, he's good at working his magic.

"We target the type of person that can add to the team, and can put us in a better situation," Treseler said.

In four seasons at the helm, Treseler has been able to transform the Gators into perennial contenders by recruiting players and focusing on their development throughout their college career. Now the six seniors who have left a mark at SF State reflect on the rebuilding process and success it brought them while wearing the purple and gold.

Forward Will Logan, the longest tenured Gator, was just a freshman when he joined the team. Logan made headlines during the 2005-06 season for averaging 10 points per game. The rest of the Gator team made some headlines of their own, finishing with a 1-26 record during Treseler's first season.

"It was a tough season," Logan said laughing. "We were a brand new team with a brand new coach. You can't expect a lot more given the situation, but it was still a good learning experience."

A frustrated Logan, however, remained optimistic.

"Coach told me to stay with it," said Logan. "Things are only going to get better,"

And they did.

The following season, the Gators improved to 6-21, then to 17-12 in 2007, which earned Treseler the CCAA Coach of the Year award. SF State also reached the playoffs for the first time in recent history. This season, the Gators went 14-13 and reached the playoffs for a second time. The team was knocked out in the first round after a 57-44 loss to Cal Poly Pomona.

So why has the team worked so well under coach 'Tres'?

Defensive aces Darryl Robinson and Ryan Wessels believed it's his interaction with the players, as well as his discipline.

"He gets to know you on the court and off the court," Wessels said.

Wessels was brought to the Gators for his shot-blocking ability. The 6-foot-8-inch forward showcased that when he recorded a career-high seven blocks during a game this month.

"The biggest thing 'Coach' stressed was defense. It's been a huge part of our success here," said forward Robinson, who transferred to SF State two years ago from Canada College. "Every game I played here, I [had] given it my all."

Although the Gators drastically improved, they still needed someone who could score efficiently -- that's when guard Alex Thomas was brought in.

As a freshman in 2005, Thomas was playing for Dominican University -- the same school Treseler previously coached and turned around -- until he was persuaded to reunite with Treseler, who recruited him while in high school.

"I felt comfortable under his system," said Thomas, who surpassed the 1,000-point plateau this season with the Gators. "I wanted a challenge."

The sharpshooting Thomas brought another dimension to an already potent offensive. Thomas' all-around game propelled the Gators into the playoffs, and he gained recognition for his leadership role by being selected to the all-second CCAA team this season and last year.

"I've been able to develop as a player and as a teammate," said Thomas. "It's been a blast playing for the Gators and being part of the turnaround here."

In 2007, Treseler recruited the versatile Robinson and center Martin Flores to balance out the offense and complement the front court.

Fresh out of Solano Junior College, numerous colleges such as Concordia and Sacramento State were looking at Flores. However, Flores admitted he wanted to go into a situation that would give him a good education and an established basketball program.

"A lot of it was the camaraderie," said Flores, who majored in Business. "I felt I would blend in with the guys they already had on the team. It also helps that it was in San Francisco."

The final missing ingredient came from Southern California.

To better improve their interior defense, Treseler scouted center Brad Visman, who was playing college ball at UC Riverside, a Division I program. Nonetheless, Visman was persuaded to float up to SF State.

"I figured it will work," Visman said. "I thought I could bring a lot to the team."

Not everything ran smoothly inside the Main Gymnasium at SF State, though.

Wessels had his off-court issues with Treseler, and earlier this year, Flores sat out most of the season's first half because he was short on units. Treseler understood the situation and allowed his starting center to focus on his studies.

"He was real patient with that," Flores said. "I did my part and he did a great coaching job."

Still, it's the love of the game that links these six veterans together.

"Basketball is my passion," Logan said. "To be able to play and play with so many [teammates] that I will keep in contact [with] for a lifetime has added to that experience."

Robinson said in his years at SF State, the 2008 team was by far the most talented.

"Everyone has the same focus and the same goal in mind," he said. "You can have all the talent in the world, but if some guys are not committed it won't work. Here, it's been like a family. We have a great team and great fans."

One memory that sticks out among the seniors is the Gators' epic overtime victory against UC San Diego last season.

"[With] the whole atmosphere and 5000 fans, we quieted them simultaneously," said Robinson.

With the Gators losing almost half the team's roster for next season, is another rebuilding project imminent?

Wessels said that may happen, but he wouldn't count on it.

"I wouldn't be surprised if he brings in a lot of junior college kids," Wessels said. "He's doing a good job. He's a good recruiter. He's been able to get a lot of good players these last few years -- just look what he's done with this program."

Treseler, on the other hand, believes the Gators' program is in great shape. He said recruiting will be much more easier because the seniors have made SF State into a basketball powerhouse.

"The six seniors put us in a better light," Treseler said. "It's a devastating loss and you can't overstate what we're losing."