Posted 1/19/07
UW-Platteville assistant basketball coach Jeff Gard calls sophomore forward Kyle Tetschlag the "Cal Ripken of Pioneer basketball" because the Sheboygan product never misses a game or practice,despite his physical play. Tetschlag moved into the starting lineup when both center Jeff Skemp and forward Mark Gossens were lost to injuries.
You've had a multitude of roles in recent weeks. How have you handled those?
"It's a lot different, coming off the bench vs. starting, but I guess it's an easier transition because I played a lot of minutes early in the year. It's been different for the team, as first we had one guy (guard Josh Langenfeld is also out for the season) not playing then we went to three who could have been starting So we've done stuff like playing with four guards and me. We just have to take each game as it comes."
You played a big role in the win at UW-Whitewater Jan. 10, the first win since all the injuries. How important was that?
"It was a very good win. If we lost that, who knows what might have happened. We might have fallen off the map, so it was a good win for us to get us back on the right track and get us back in the conference race."
Every time someone talks about you, they always mention "hustle plays." Is that something in which you take pride?
"I do. It seems like there is someone like that on every team. It's fun, and I enjoy it."
What have been your highlights this year and in your career?
"There have been a lot. Just over winter break, hanging out with the guys has been so much fun. Definitely the exhibition games have been fun, seeing different Division I teams (UW-Milwaukee last year and Purdue this season) and what they do and how they do it. Winning at Whitewater was big, getting a conference win on the road."
Do you find yourself watching Purdue on TV now?
"I do actually. I'll see them on Sports Center and be like, 'hey I know that guy. I played against him.' "
Speaking of Division I, one of the big upcoming events is the Jan. 27 game against UW-Eau Claire and the Bo Ryan Court dedication. Is that something the team has talked about a lot?
"We're taking games one at a time so we haven't really talked about it yet. We're looking forward to it, though, with the alumni events and having them come and talk about what Platteville has meant to them. That will be fun. Some of the Badgers we played against in high school, so we've seen them before, but being able to say that the Badgers sat behind our bench will be a really cool story down the road."
What originally brought you to UW-Platteville?
"My dad played here in the 1970s, and also the winning tradition. Obviously they won a lot in the 1990s. Coach (Paul) Combs, who was at Lakeland and that's only 10 minutes from my house, saw me play earlier in my career and kind of brought me to Platteville when he came."
What are your goals here?
"Getting a degree is the most important thing and getting a good job after college. Whatever happens in basketball happens. I take it one practice at a time, one game at a time."
Interview by SID Paul Erickson