Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Player Profile: Tyler Millin providing a two-way athletic presence
12/6/2021 3:48:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Murfreesboro, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee is off to one of its best starts in recent years with a record of 7-2 with contributors across the roster. Part of the team's success is due in part to left-handed forward Tyler Millin. GoBlueRaiders.com sat down with Millin to highlight his impact on the ballclub with his versatility, skillset, and basketball IQ.
Millin is a 6-foot-7 sophomore from Calera, Alabama, where he was a star at Calera High School. After he graduated from Calera, he inquired about the Skills Factory in Atlanta, Georgia, in hopes of developing his game to get offers from collegiate programs.
"I hit up head coach Rob Johnson, who's at Illinois State now," Millin said. "I hit him up on Twitter while I was in high school to see how I can get offers to play ball. It's basically a program for kids that have been overlooked to get a chance to develop and play against high-level competition."
After beginning the season in the starting lineup, Millin's season was sent off course by an illness that caused him to miss MT's road trip to Stephen F. Austin and Cancun. In three games since, he has averaged 10.0 points per game off the bench while shooting 68.8 percent (11-16) from the floor and 50.0 percent (4-8) from long range.
Millin's growth as a player has been fueled by his hunger to get better each day. He feels that he's not nearly a finished product and wants to do everything he can to become a better ballplayer. This past offseason, Millin dedicated himself to his craft in hopes of getting more playing time.
"I've been working on staying consistent with shooting the ball, my body strength, and finishing under the basket," Millin said. "The way our offense is set up now, I can handle the ball a lot more, so I've really been working on ballhandling for most of the time as well."
Millin's work off the court has payed off for the most part. The third year forward earned his first career start on opening night against Brescia University. His playing time has seen an increase as well, bumping from 11.7 minutes a game last season to 20.2 this season.
Averaging careers highs in five statistical categories, Millin's usage on the court makes him the ideal swiss army knife for any of Coach McDevitt's lineups. He's been taking advantage of opposing defenses using his athletic frame to cut, drive, and create opportunities for open teammates. Defensively, Millin wreaks havoc on opposing defenses with his wingspan and quick feet, especially with the full court press rotations McDevitt likes to run. Inbounds plays can easily be torn apart if Millin is covering the passer.
"I feel like I bring a lot of energy to the team, that's my number one priority," said Millin. "I know it sounds cliché, but I'd like to contribute however I can, go out there, play and whatever happens, happens."
The Blue Raiders' team chemistry has been a spectacle to watch this season. From bench reactions to team synergy, MT has had a tight knit group since day one. The Blue Raiders love to play with one another, and it's translating to wins. The differences between this year's team and last year's is almost night and day according to Millin.
"This season, I feel like we're more of a team and it shows on the court," Millin explained. "We're making the extra pass compared to last year. The positive energy and vibes are better overall as well."
Once Millin's college ball career comes to a close, he shed light on what's next for him.
"If not pro basketball, I want to be an artist or a coach. Something involved in the game of basketball," Millin said.
Next up on the schedule for Millin and the Raiders will be an away game at UT Martin for a rematch on Saturday, December 11th. Millin will look to build upon his first game against the Skyhawks to give MT its eighth victory of the season. The tip off is at 8:00 p.m. CT and will be streamed on ESPN+.
Millin is a 6-foot-7 sophomore from Calera, Alabama, where he was a star at Calera High School. After he graduated from Calera, he inquired about the Skills Factory in Atlanta, Georgia, in hopes of developing his game to get offers from collegiate programs.
"I hit up head coach Rob Johnson, who's at Illinois State now," Millin said. "I hit him up on Twitter while I was in high school to see how I can get offers to play ball. It's basically a program for kids that have been overlooked to get a chance to develop and play against high-level competition."
After beginning the season in the starting lineup, Millin's season was sent off course by an illness that caused him to miss MT's road trip to Stephen F. Austin and Cancun. In three games since, he has averaged 10.0 points per game off the bench while shooting 68.8 percent (11-16) from the floor and 50.0 percent (4-8) from long range.
Millin's growth as a player has been fueled by his hunger to get better each day. He feels that he's not nearly a finished product and wants to do everything he can to become a better ballplayer. This past offseason, Millin dedicated himself to his craft in hopes of getting more playing time.
"I've been working on staying consistent with shooting the ball, my body strength, and finishing under the basket," Millin said. "The way our offense is set up now, I can handle the ball a lot more, so I've really been working on ballhandling for most of the time as well."
Millin's work off the court has payed off for the most part. The third year forward earned his first career start on opening night against Brescia University. His playing time has seen an increase as well, bumping from 11.7 minutes a game last season to 20.2 this season.
Averaging careers highs in five statistical categories, Millin's usage on the court makes him the ideal swiss army knife for any of Coach McDevitt's lineups. He's been taking advantage of opposing defenses using his athletic frame to cut, drive, and create opportunities for open teammates. Defensively, Millin wreaks havoc on opposing defenses with his wingspan and quick feet, especially with the full court press rotations McDevitt likes to run. Inbounds plays can easily be torn apart if Millin is covering the passer.
"I feel like I bring a lot of energy to the team, that's my number one priority," said Millin. "I know it sounds cliché, but I'd like to contribute however I can, go out there, play and whatever happens, happens."
The Blue Raiders' team chemistry has been a spectacle to watch this season. From bench reactions to team synergy, MT has had a tight knit group since day one. The Blue Raiders love to play with one another, and it's translating to wins. The differences between this year's team and last year's is almost night and day according to Millin.
"This season, I feel like we're more of a team and it shows on the court," Millin explained. "We're making the extra pass compared to last year. The positive energy and vibes are better overall as well."
Once Millin's college ball career comes to a close, he shed light on what's next for him.
"If not pro basketball, I want to be an artist or a coach. Something involved in the game of basketball," Millin said.
Next up on the schedule for Millin and the Raiders will be an away game at UT Martin for a rematch on Saturday, December 11th. Millin will look to build upon his first game against the Skyhawks to give MT its eighth victory of the season. The tip off is at 8:00 p.m. CT and will be streamed on ESPN+.
Players Mentioned
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