INDIANAPOLIS--Cam Fuller talks with Milwaukee's Matt Tiby. After redshirting last season, the sophomore forward has found early season success, averaging 15.5 points, 9.2 rebounds per game and has the Panthers out to a 4-2 start.
Meet Matt Tiby
Class: Sophomore
Height: 6’8”
Weight: 230
Hometown: Urbandale, Iowa
High School: Urbandale
Prior: Kirkwood Community College
Position: Forward
2013-14 (Sophomore)
- Started all six of Milwaukee's games.
- Scored 20 or more points in three of the Panther’s first six games.
- Leads the team with 56 free-throws and is shooting .768 from the charity stripe.
- Led Milwaukee to the championship at the NIU Tournament, registering wins over San Jose State, James Madison and Northern Illinois.
2012-13 (Redshirt)
- Practiced with the Panthers during the second semester but redshirted to maintain sophomore eligibility.
Prior to Milwaukee
- Played one season at Kirkwood Community College in 2011-12.
- Averaged 11.3 points, 6.2 rebounds per game.
- Earned honorable mention all-region honors
- Did not play during the 2012-13, transferred to Milwaukee second semester.
In an interview with Sporting News, Rob Jeter called you the team’s “big surprise.” How would you describe your rise from Kirkwood Community College, to redshirting last season, to averaging 15.5 points, 9.2 rebounds per game in your first six games this season?
Coming from Kirkwood I had big expectations for myself. I wanted to come into a new system—I didn’t know much about Milwaukee—and I just wanted to learn; learn the offense and just try to make my presence felt during practice and workouts and show that I was ready for the next year. I’ve been just trying to keep a steady head and trying to keep focused on what’s to come this season.
Milwaukee struggled to an 8-24 (3-13 Horizon League) record last season. How difficult was it to watch from the sidelines knowing there was nothing you could do?
It was one of the worst feelings, just sitting there and watching. I would have much rather been out there and contributing so it was hard. It was hard because I wasn’t injured or anything, I just wanted to get out there and help my teammates because that’s what I was doing in practice but I felt like I couldn’t do anything about it.
In your first game as a Panther, you stuffed the stat sheet with 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists against Loyola (IL). Can you imagine a better way to start your career?
Oh no, after the game someone told me my stats. But you know I just kind of expect that from myself, I wasn’t really thinking about the game, I was so nervous because I wanted to do so well. My mom was there and she’s my biggest critic so I wanted to put on a show for her.
After dropping the opening game of the season, Milwaukee bounced back to win four games in a row and the championship at the NIU Tournament. How would you describe the play of the Panthers thus far?
We’ve been playing very well together. As experienced as we are together with the system and with new players coming in I felt like we’ve done a good job of staying composed and coming together as a team and playing very well together and just feeding off of each other’s energy. It’s been fun.
Milwaukee has recorded two victories over teams that participated in the 2013 NCAA Tournament (Davidson and James Madison). How can quality wins like this help when League play starts in January?
When we look back at those games and we are in tight situations in conference play, we have already been there and know how to pull through and keep our composure, knock our free throws down, be confident in ourselves and work the ball around. When conference play comes around, it really helps us as a team build off of what we’ve done because we know what we’ve already accomplished and when we step into those big environments and big games we’ve showed we can keep our composure and pull through and get the win.
Now that opposing teams have you on their radar, how do you plan to keep your play at a high level?
I’m just going to do whatever the team needs; whether that’s rebounding or passing the ball and getting open looks for my teammates. I’m just going to keep being patient, keep doing what I’m doing and working hard in the post and getting position for rebounds and keep bringing energy to our team because that’s what we need the most.
When you're not on the basketball court, where can you be found?
I usually hang out with some of the guys on the team, I room with JR (JeVon) Lyle and Malcom Moore. Usually you can find me with those two probably watching movies. We’re all into music—Malcom makes his own music so we’re usually listening to his songs and just listening to his samples.
Where is the best place to get a meal in the Milwaukee area?
Rock Bottom is always very good, I’ve been there a few times. That’s probably my favorite selection. I get the Tillamook Bacon Burger. It’s like a bacon cheese burger with some ranch and jalapeño sauce on it.
Do you have any gameday superstitions?
If I’m wearing socks underneath they have to be a right and a left one. I can’t have two lefts or two rights. I usually write an ‘R’ and an ‘L’ on the socks so I can tell the difference. Ace Hood and ASAP Rocky usually get me going and hyped before games so that’s what you can hear in my headphones
What can Horizon League basketball fans expect from Matt Tiby and the Milwaukee Panthers this season?
We’re going to show up ready to play. We’re going to be focused on the task at hand. We’re going to fight for the post position and get the ball down in the post and just come at people. We aren’t scared or tentative to play anybody. We’re going to bring a lot of energy and people will see great results coming.
