Q&A with Big Man Kyle Tresnak

Kyle Tresnak To Play True Freshman Year

August 29th Last year Weber State lost center Steve Panos to graduation. And this is Trevor Morris's last year as a Wildcat. We all know and expect Darin Mahoney to be a contributor at the center position this year and next, but who has coach Randy Rahe recruited as the next generation center? The answer is 6'10" big-man Kyle Tresnak. Tresnak, like fellow teammates Byron Fulton and Blake Davis, comes to Ogden from Arizona. It appears that this 225 pound freshman will likely see some playing time as a true freshman this year as well. Tresnak played his high school ball at Horizon High School where he proved he could score points (his season high was 30 points), block shots (10 in one game), and rebound (season high was 17). From what we've heard, WeberHoops is confident that Tresnak will be able to fit in nicely at Weber State and will continue its tradition of great centers. I plan on hearing his name mentioned along with great past Weber centers like Valeika, Allred, Patten, and Panos. Here is the Q&A that Tresnak recently did for WeberHoops.com. Weber Hoops: How has your summer been? Do anything fun? Kyle Tresnak: My summer has been great. I didn't really do anything special. I just worked out and hung out with my friends. WH: How much time have you been able to spend in Ogden so far? How have you liked it? KT: I was in Ogden for the month of June. I loved it. WH: What do you plan on majoring in? KT: Business. WH: Did you really swallow a tablespoon of cinnamon? How did that work out for you? KT: Haha. Yes I've done it 4 times. It's not that hard to do. WH: Can you tell us something about you that Weber fans probably don't know? Nicknames, hobbies, etc? KT: I have a brother that is going to NAU. WH: What do you think about joining a team with two Arizona guys already on it? KT: I'm excited. I played on the same AAU team with Blake Davis and watched the both of them through out my high school career. WH: We are glad you signed with Weber State. What helped you make the final decision to come to Weber? KT: The coaches were a main factor in my decision. They offered me my junior year and were always calling me and sending me letters. The players were also a main factor. I really felt like I could fit in when I was on my visit. WH: Any idea on whether you will play or redshirt this year? KT: As of now I am not going to redshirt, but I'm willing to do whatever the coaches want me to do. WH: Have you had the opportunity to work out and play with the other in-coming freshmen? Did anyone stand out to you? Do you have any insight on what we can expect to see out of the freshman class this year? KT: I got to play with them this June. They are solid players and great guys. We'll have to see when the season comes around. For questions, comments, or thoughts, email me at mark@weberhoops.com

Getting to Know Blake Davis

I wrote this for Weberhoops a few weeks ago and forgot to post it here. Enjoy. August 9th It has been almost two years since redshirt freshman, Blake Davis, committed to come to Ogden to play for Coach Randy Rahe and the Wildcats. Now that his redshirt year is over, he is anxious to get out on the court and show Wildcat fans he belongs on a Division I court. And should he catch Rahe's eye, he may very well get good minutes on the court this year.

Minutes from two of the three guard positions will be mostly taken by returning veterans, Damian Lillard and Lindsey Hughey. However, it appears that the third guard position is wide open for one of this year's younger players to claim. And Davis just might be the one to do so. When Davis committed to the Wildcats in September of 2008, Coach Rahe had good things to say. "Blake is a tough, hard-nosed. competitive kid. He plays extremely hard everyday and just knows how to play on both ends of the court." Rahe went on to describe Davis and the recruits he came with. He said, "We are really excited about having these players coming into our program. First off, they are all good students and work hard in the classroom. They are all high character individuals, good citizens and will be good teammates. Each of them has a bright future ahead of them here at Weber State. Davis was kind enough to respond to a few questions I emailed him. Based on his responses, I think Rahe knew what he was talking about. Weber Hoops: How has your summer been? Blake Davis: Summer's been good, and really nice to be home with the fam. WH: Is it true you work on a farm? How did you get that job? Have you always been a farmer? BD: Haha. I went to Oklahoma to visit my mom's side of the family, and while I was out there, I worked on their farm. When I'm at home, I work for my buddy's mom. They have horses, goats, chickens, roosters, pigs, turkeys, and a barn, so I just keep things clean there, and do some handy work. Just pretty much anything that needs fixing. WH: Is there something you can tell WSU fans about yourself that we don't know? Hobbies, nicknames, or anything like that? BD: Haha. I can't think of anything. WH: What have you been doing with basketball this summer? BD: I've been lifting with my strength coach, shooting at my old high school, and playing at different open runs throughout Arizona. WH: Last year you were on the team as a redshirt. This year as a redshirt freshman you will be able to play in games. How exciting is this for you? BD: I'm very excited to be playing this year. It was hard to sit through all those games last year, knowing I wasn't going to be able to get in there and play. Now that I have gone through the redshirt year, I'm glad I did it. But now it's time to get in there and hoop. WH: Have you had the opportunity to meet the incoming freshmen and JC transfer Bamforth yet? BD: I met those guys while I was at Weber for June. They're really good guys, and Kyle Tresnek is actually from Arizona. I work out with him when we are home. WH: There is going to be a lot of youth and inexperienced players on the team this year. Who do you expect to step up and contribute this year? BD: Dame is definitely going to step up and be a key factor in our season. I also think Trev will have a good senior season and bring a lot of leadership. WH: How do you hope to contribute this year? BD: I hope to bring some fire and enthusiasm to the court. Do the little things to help our team win and knock down shots. WH: Can we expect to see Rahe and the Wildcats go dancing this year? BD: Oh yeah definitely.

Getting to Know Scott Bamforth

Weberhoops.com is excited to see what Scott Bamforth, JC transfer out of Western Nebraska CC, will bring to this year's squad. The only JC transfer in this year's recruiting class, Bamforth comes highly touted. Bamforth was planning on playing his sophomore year with Western Nebraska before a season-ending elbow injury prevented that from happening. While this was most likely devastating to him, it can be seen as a positive for the 'Cats. Now, instead of having Bamforth for only 2 years, Weber will have him for 3. In Bamforth's freshman year for Western Nebraska, he played great, averaging over 18 points per game with a 45.5% field goal percentage; he shot 41% from behind the arc, sinking 88 thee-pointers; and he was an 80% free throw shooter. If this these stats carry over to DI basketball, Bamforth will be a familiar and exciting face on the court for the next three years.

I sent Bamforth a few questions via email and he was kind enough to respond. Enjoy!

Weber Hoops: How has your summer been? Did you get to do anything fun?

Scott Bamforth: My summer has been pretty good, I've just been working out and getting ready for the season to come. I've been taking some summer classes so my summer hasn't been to exciting, but I think it has been very productive.

WH: Your Facebook status says you are engaged. Congratulations! When is the wedding?

SB: Yea I am engaged and our wedding is planned for July 15th, 2011 so it should be an exciting experience in my life and we are really excited.

WH: How do you and Kendra like Ogden?

SB: Me and Kendra are excited to be out here in Ogden. We have enjoyed our summer so far. Ogden is a place that reminds us of our hometowns, which Kendra is from Denver and I am from Albuquerque, so we are familiar with having mountains really close to us.

WH: What is your major?

SB: My major is Human Performance Management.

WH: Can you tell us something about you that the Weber fans probably don't know? Hobbies, nicknames, anything like that?

SB: When I'm not playing basketball or working out, I enjoy playing video games and watching movies. I also enjoy going home and seeing my family whenever I get the chance to because they are the ones who helped me get to where I am at in my life.

WH: Last year you suffered an elbow injury. How is it feeling now?

SB: My elbow is pretty much back to 100%; it has been a long process and going through surgery wasn't the funnest thing to do but I feel I have worked hard to get back to normal and I am ready to get the season going.

WH: How do you see yourself fitting in with the team this year? What do you see your role being?

SB: This year I think we have a great chance to be very good. I think that the returning players will be ready to get back at it, especially after the hard loss that they went through at the end of the season last year. We have all been working hard, getting ready for the season and I think all of this hard work is going to pay off. I see myself fitting in really good with the team and I am willing to take on any role that I can. I can't predict what role I will have as of now, but I think that as practice starts and the season comes closer, I will be able to find my role and help the team win.

WH: There are going to be a lot of young, new players on the court this year. Do you have an idea of which ones will step up and get some playing time?

SB: I think that there are going to be a lot of new, young players who will step up and play good this year. But like I said before, as the season comes around each one of us will be able to identify our roles and we will be able to try and help this team get to where we want to go. I think that everybody on the team will have to step up if we want to win, and I think we have the talent and willingness to do that, so I am really excited.