Dec. 21, 2006

By LINDA BOUVET, LSSU Sports Information Director

When it comes to finding success early in an athlete's college basketball career, the magic bullet is rarely more than hard work and making the most of an opportunity when it presents itself.

The nine Lake Superior State freshmen who stepped on the floor for the men's basketball team last season were afforded an opportunity that most rookies would give up their spring break to have - immediate playing time. Seven of those players returned in 2006-07, and sophomore center Ryan Kuhl is already performing like a seasoned veteran.

"We all have a year of experience under our belts," said Kuhl, who was named the Lakers' most-valuable player as a rookie after averaging 12.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. So far this season, he is among the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference leaders in field-goal percentage at .644, scoring (17 ppg) and rebounding (6.4 rpg).

"He came into a situation in which he had the opportunity to step right in and earn minutes on a young team," LSSU coach Mike Fitzner said. "He's really taken the bull by the horns. He's a very polished post player for a sophomore. He works hard in the post, and we're working for ways to get him the basketball right now. Teams will start doing things to take him out of the picture. That's why we need to start scoring more from the perimeter."

Kuhl overcame two serious knee injuries and missed part of his senior season at Rochester-Adams High School, but he helped lead Adams to its first district title in 30 years. He showed signs of his potential as a shooter, hitting for 55 percent in 2004-05.

Last season, Kuhl was immediately impressed with the level of competition in the GLIAC. He more than held his own, shooting 49.6 percent (123-248) from the field.

"It was a lot better than I expected," Kuhl said in reference to the quality of Division II basketball. "A lot of teams we play can really compete with Division I schools."

Kuhl faced DI competition in Laker games against Michigan State in 2005-06 and Iowa State in 2006-07, and he watched his sister, Erin, play four seasons at Central Michigan University. Erin Kuhl, who was a starting guard, has been a mentor for Ryan throughout his career. She averaged 4.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists for the Chippewas and earned Mid-America Conference All-Academic Team honors as a senior in 2005-06.

Erin's advice to Ryan was to find a school that "is a good fit." Once he finds it, don't become overwhelmed with high expectations. Just play hard.

"Enjoy the school and team," said Erin, who earned her degree at CMU this month. "That's what my experience in basketball was all about. Find that place that feels right."

Erin Kuhl also knows a thing or two about being a part of a rebuilding process. As a senior, she helped lead the Chippewas to a 16-12 record for their first winning season since 1992-93.

LSSU is looking for its first winning season since 2001-02.

"I'm real proud of where Ryan is going," Erin said. "It was rough for me when I was young too. The wins will come."

After watching her brother play this season, Erin said that he plays a much more physical post game than he did as a freshman.

"I've seen a lot of improvement from last year to this year," she added. "He demands the ball now and does a good job passing it back out the guards. The playing time and experience he's gotten will mean so much down the road."

"Last year I think we tended to give up a little more in games where we knew teams were better," Ryan said. "At Concordia (on Dec. 2), we were down at the beginning of that game. Last year we probably would have lost that game for sure. This year is different, and we don't let those things get to us. We knew we were a better team this year and we wanted it more."

Ryan's personal goal this season is to stay out of foul trouble and improve defensively. As a team, he noted the Lakers have been practicing well heading into the holiday break.

"We've just got to put a complete game together," he said. "We'll play 20 minutes perfectly, then the next 20 minutes will be our worst of the year. Some games we'll have only five turnovers, but we'll shoot 1-for-30. We've got to put everything together."

Despite his sister's advice against overwhelming expectations, Ryan's ultimate goal is to win an NCAA title.

"It will take a lot of work to win a national championship," he said. "It's a long ways away...but hopefully within a couple years."