Graves grew up playing basketball with his three brothers in the small town of Switz City, Indiana.
Graves was selected as the team's most valuable player for the 1997–98 season after leading Butler to the NCAA tournament for the second consecutive year.
One of four children, all boys, Graves grew up in the small town of Switz City, Indiana (population 311).
[1] "A big night in Switz City is probably going to the local movie theater, then to McDonald's," remarked Graves.
[1] Graves played high school basketball for White River Valley where he was an All-State honorable mention recipient his junior year.
Commenting on the experience of having a coach and player son simultaneously Rick Graves said, "Matthew sees everything that A. J. does wrong, and it causes a little tension.
[3] During the 1997–98 season, Graves was selected as the team's most valuable player after leading the Bulldogs to their second consecutive league title and NCAA Tournament appearance.
[4] That season, he led the Horizon League in free throw shooting and was named to the All-Horizon Tournament team after scoring 18 in the championship game.
[3] Graves had previously turned down Division II head coaching offers, saying he was waiting for the right job to come along.
[5] On April 1, former Butler players Ronald Nored and Darnell Archey joined Miller's staff.
"[3] On March 8, 2018, South Alabama fired Graves after five seasons, which saw the team not making a postseason appearance in his time as head coach.
Graves was joined on the staff by his former head coach at Butler, Todd Lickliter, who also became an assistant at Evansville.
"[5] Upon accepting the South Alabama job, Graves stated that he would attempt to instill a style of play similar to Butler's.