So when the Rochester native left Rice University last spring after his freshman season, in search of a new place to attend school and play basketball, he headed north.

Kinsella, 7-0, 250 pounds, wanted a junior college program that would allow him to shake off the rust from sitting out last year because of a foot injury, and prepare him for another Division I program. His choice: Minneapolis Community and Technical College, a perennial power that has already sent eight players to the Division I level under coach Jay Pivec.

Kinsella will be No. 9. He has led the Marauders to an 18-2 record, posting 12 double-doubles while averaging 17.6 points and 10.4 rebounds. Kinsella also is third on the team with 15 three-point baskets, connecting on 32.6 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc.

Marquette coach Tom Crean thought enough of Kinsella to sign him before the season even began.

``He's a big guy with good hands and a soft touch,'' Pivec said. ``His rebounding is excellent and his passing is good. We're trying to work on him developing a better inside game because of his presence. He'll mature and be able to carry another 20 pounds. And he'll get even tougher in the Marquette system.''

Kinsella moved with his mother to Burnsville over the summer (his father lives in Minneapolis). The move led to the opportunity for Kinsella to work out with Burnsville basketball standout Ryan Amoroso, who will join Kinsella at Marquette next season.

``Once I committed on July 15th I started working on Ryan a little bit, trying to get him to lean our way,'' Kinsella said. ``Everything worked out great. I think we have a lot of the same feelings about Marquette.''

Kinsella signed early with Rice out of Rochester John Marshall High School, anxious to get the decision behind him so he could enjoy his senior season. But he never felt comfortable in Houston or at the school.

``I didn't appreciate Minnesota before, but I do now,'' Kinsella said. ``Minnesota and the Midwest. And I learned what it means to be around friends and family, people who care about me.''

Kinsella could have transferred to another Division I school after leaving Rice, but decided he would have better options if he went the junior college route.

``I sat out last year with a foot injury and I just felt two years without any competition would have been really difficult,'' Kinsella said. ``Plus, I knew I could go to a major program. No one had seen me play since right before my senior year in high school, and I feel I'm a lot different player since then.

``I talked to a lot of people in Minnesota [about MCTC] and everybody told me this was a really good program. The coaching staff is great. It was important knowing Jay has the respect of a lot of people in basketball. That was a big factor in coming back here.''

Count Pivec among those who thought Kinsella would be a nice addition to the Gophers. ``Minnesota looked at him but passed,'' Pivec said. ``At the time they felt they had what they needed at that spot.''

No hard feelings from Kinsella - and no regrets.

``Growing up you always root for the Gophers,'' Kinsella said. ``But things with the `U' and I just didn't work out. I'm not disappointed because I'm in a great place for me.''

Marquette had recruited Kinsella out of high school, and after watching him play twice in summer league games, Crean offered Kinsella a scholarship.

``I think if I would have gone to Marquette out of high school I don't think I would be the same person and player I am today,'' Kinsella said. ``I've learned about myself and my family going through the journey I've gone through. I like the way things have turned out.

``I am really looking forward to seeing how I progress the next few years. I can't wait to see myself in three years and see where I am at. It's going to be really fun.''

Kinsella plans to enroll at Marquette in the spring and begin acclimating himself to his new surroundings. He won't forget the help Pivec and his staff gave him in increasing his chances for success.

``The coaches here have worked with me on being more than an average player,'' Kinsella said. ``I've picked up a lot of mid-range skills here and become a much better player on defense. This year has been unbelievable for me.''

Dean Spiros is at dspiros@startribune.com.

THE KINSELLA FILE

Name: Mike Kinsella

College: Minneapolis Community and Technical College

College year: Freshman

Ht., wt.: 7-0, 250 pounds

Last year: Rice University (sat out because of a foot injury)

Next year: Accepted scholarship with Marquette

High School: Rochester John Marshall

Averages: 17.6 points, 10.4 rebounds per game

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