Jan. 19, 2010
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -
Here is the latest installment of SamfordSports.com's monthly feature stories which highlight the Bulldogs' talented athletes. January's piece features men's basketball players Bryan and Matthew Friday and was written by Assistant Sports Information Director Zac Schrieber.
THE FRIDAY BROTHERS - - FROM THE DRIVEWAY TO DIVISION I
Samford basketball players Bryan and Matthew Friday are living a dream. Not many people get the opportunity to play on the same collegiate team as their brother, much less share a spot in the starting lineup at the Division I level.
Bryan, the oldest of the two brothers and a senior captain on Samford's squad, summed it up best in a recent interview, "We always dreamed about playing together in college, but we never actually thought it would happen. Playing Division I basketball together with Matthew is something we will always talk about and tell our children about whenever that day comes."
The Friday brothers grew up in Grapevine, Texas, and spent countless hours on the side of the house playing basketball in their driveway. The pair would compete daily and many times play from sun-up until sun-down.
"We played hundreds of one-on-one games against each other until it was too dark to even see," said Matthew. "Even in the winter, we would have one of those big lamp heaters set up, so every now and then, we would take a quick break just to go over and warm our hands. We had some pretty physical games, but they never ended up in fistfights or anything."
Bryan, a 6-foot-6 senior forward for the Bulldogs, recounts a slightly different story.
"On the side of our house next to our driveway, there was a huge hill that started by the court," reminisced Bryan laughingly. "I remember one game when Matthew and I were guarding each other and we were battling big-time. We were furious at each other and I just remember grabbing Matthew by the shirt and throwing him down that hill. That was when I was bigger than him and now he's bigger than me, so I don't try that stuff nowadays."
It is obvious that the brothers' daily competition allowed them both to grow and excel on the court. Matthew would constantly play along with Bryan and his friends despite being years younger than the opposition.
"It definitely made me better to compete against Bryan and his friends," said Matthew, the Bulldogs' 6-foot-8 sophomore center. "When I played with my friends, I was a lot taller than they were, so playing with his friends forced me to get stronger and more physical. I also remember playing with them and he would get mad at me because he would say that I wasn't passing him the ball enough."
Matthew jokingly referenced Bryan's desire for the ball and his affinity to drive to the hoop, but in reality, the phrase displays the development of each of their strengths. Bryan is one of Samford's most prolific scorers and is averaging 10.8 points per game this season. Matthew is one of the Bulldogs' best passers and uses his defensive skills to excel at the team's all-important "P" position.
Bryan and Matthew Friday have been listed together in Samford's starting lineup in each of the last nine games. After a 2-6 start to open the 2009-10 campaign, the Bulldogs' head coach Jimmy Tillette made the move to include Matthew in the starting lineup and Samford has responded with a 5-4 record.
Junior center Andy King, who is the team's second best 3-point shooter with a stellar 38.2-percent mark from beyond the arc, was moved to the Bulldogs' sixth-man position. The change was predicated primarily because his scoring spark was needed off the bench. King, a 6-foot-8 native of Omaha, Neb., is averaging 8.0 points per game this season.
"Matthew and Andy complement each other so much," explained Bryan. "With Matthew coming in to start the game, he brings a defensive presence to the lineup and we'll have him guard the other team's best offensive big guy. Then, when Andy comes in, the roles switch and they have to come guard him on the perimeter, because he is such a good shooter."
The brothers, who also started together for two seasons at Colleyville Heritage High School, are indeed cognizant of how special it is to share a spot in the starting lineup at the collegiate level.
"It's a very special feeling," Matthew beamed. "It's great to have a family member sitting next to you when the starting lineup is getting announced, and out on the court, I always know that he's going to have my back."
Bryan also shared a similar sentiment, "It's definitely a special feeling. Not many people get the privilege to do something like this, so we feel fortunate. Starting together with Matthew has been great. Our parents love it. They love listening to the starting lineups and hearing both of our names being called. It's hard to really grasp the entire feeling right now, because we are going through it, but I'm sure once we get older, it will set in and be even more special."
The Fridays grew up in an abundantly basketball-rich environment. The brothers' grandfather, John, played collegiately at Texas Wesleyan, as did both of their parents, Tracy and Lee.
"They come from a fantastic family," said Tillette. "Both Lee and Tracy have done a fantastic job in raising them and they're very good people to be around, so I definitely appreciate their partnership with the program. We are fortunate to have both Bryan and Matthew here. They are both starting right now and they are contributing in different ways. There seems to be a core element that they both share which makes them great young men as well as great basketball players."
Bryan redshirted during the 2005-06 campaign for the Bulldogs and then earned playing time in 29 games as a freshman. He jumped right into the starting lineup as a sophomore and averaged 7.3 points per contest. Last season, Bryan led Samford in scoring and was named to the 2009 Southern Conference All-Tournament Team.
Throughout his early years as a Bulldog, Bryan noticed Tillette and the coaching staff taking more of an active interest in his younger brother.
"Coach Tillette kept asking me about Matthew, so I remember calling my dad and telling him that I think the coaches are interested in recruiting him," recalled Bryan. "Then, a couple weeks later, (Associate Head) Coach (Paul) Kelly went and watched him play in a tournament in Houston. He came back and said that they were going to offer him a scholarship, so that was a pretty special moment."
Matthew, a four-year starter at Colleyville Heritage High School, was named the district's 2006 Defensive Most Valuable Player and earned three consecutive first-team All-District honors. He excelled at the prep level and was receiving attention from quite a few Division I programs.
Throughout Matthew's extensive recruitment process, Bryan obviously wanted him to attend Samford, but knew that his brother had to make his own decision.
"He was a big part of the process, but he never tried to actively recruit me to Samford," said Matthew about Bryan. "My parents and I came down to pick him up for spring break and I was able to hang out with the team and I fit in with them, so I figured this is where I wanted to be. He always let me know that it was my decision and that he would be happy whether I came here or not, so he didn't pressure me or anything."
Matthew arrived at Samford in 2007 and redshirted his first season. Last year, he played in 24 of the Bulldogs' 32 games and earned six starts as a freshman. So far this season, Matthew has already started nine games and is shooting 50 percent from the field. Combined, the Friday brothers have made 26 starts this season and are averaging 12.6 points per contest.
As Samford continues play in its 2009-10 schedule, each game is critical as the Bulldogs look to make waves in the SoCon. Samford opened conference play with a 1-4 record, but Bryan and Matthew Friday hope to use their brotherly bond to lead Samford to a trio of road wins at Elon, UNC Greensboro and Furman. With a few key victories, the Bulldogs' upcoming road trip could prove be a catalyst for the remainder of the season.
"These next couple of weeks are going to be vital for us," said Bryan. "We're in the middle of SoCon play right now and every single game is important."
