Alabama freshman Brandon Miller, a potential First Team All-American and top NBA Draft prospect in college basketball, didn’t look the part in the Tide’s opening NCAA Tournament win over Texas A&M Corpus Christi. Here’s what you need to know:
- Miller had 19 scoreless minutes with five missed shots and three turnovers.
- With just under 15 minutes remaining in the second half, Bama coach Nate Oats pulled Miller following a turnover and foul and held the 6-foot-8 star out of the lineup the rest of the way. Oats said afterward: “He’s got a groin injury that he’s been nursing since Sunday.”
- Miller’s absence didn’t matter much as top-seeded Alabama rolled to a 96-75 blowout win. But when it comes to the Tide’s national title goals, his status is paramount.
Follow The Athletic’s live updates from the NCAA Tournament second round.
What’s the latest on Miller?
Oats met with reporters Friday, saying, “Knowing Brandon, knowing how tough he is mentally and physically, I think he’ll be ready to go.”
Miller was in uniform for a team workout Friday. “I’m always going to tell you I’m 100 percent,” Miller said. “So, I’m 100 percent.”
Advertisement
Speaking to The Athletic, when asked if there’s any concern about how he’ll feel in pregame warmups on Saturday and determining his status for tip-off, Miller said, “No, I think I can control what I feel, starting today. It’s how you prepare your body going into a game like this.”
Miller said that the injury occurred while making a move in the SEC title game against Texas A&M. He didn’t realize it at the time.
“I kind of felt it after the game,” he said. “I think adrenaline took over during the game.”
The decision for Miller not to return in Thursday’s game was made by Oats, who told his star he was shutting him down early in the second half. Off the court, Miller has also been the subject of increased attention in recent weeks because of his alleged connection to a Jan. 15 fatal shooting involving former teammate Darius Miles, who was charged with capital murder. Miller is being accompanied by an armed security guard because of messages he’s received, Oats said before the tournament.
As for Saturday versus Maryland, “I hope he’s healthy enough to play, and based on how much work he and (head athletic trainer Clarke Holter) are putting in, I think he will be,” Oats said. “But (if Miller isn’t 100 percent), it will definitely limit us. Shoot, he might be the best player in the country. It’d be nice if we had him.”
Looking back on Miller’s play in Round 1
Miller clearly didn’t look like himself Thursday. There were moments of hesitancy and apparent discomfort. He missed a bunny from point blank. He missed three deep-heave 3s that had no chance. He committed one turnover over-dribbling at the top of the key and later threw a ball away.
It was a jarring change from what had been seen lately.
Miller was MVP of the SEC Tournament, averaging 20.3 points 11.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists in three games in Nashville.
Advertisement
Can Maryland hang with the Tide?
Barring Maryland controlling the tempo, making 3s and Jahmir Young delivering some kind of Kemba-esque performance, Miller’s status might not particularly matter one way or another. Even if Miller sat out entirely, Alabama has size and talent advantages at nearly every spot. From Mark Sears to Jahvon Quinerly to Noah Clowney to Charles Bediako, the Tide can out-score the Terps on one end and stifle them on the other.
Is there any recipe that could work? Sure. Judging by Alabama’s few losses this year, Maryland can potentially hang around if it goads the Tide into a dragged-out, low-possession game and limit Alabama’s scoring early in the shot clock. That’s a tough ask, all around. Alabama is the No. 1 overall seed for a reason and this game is being played in its backyard.
Required reading
(Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images)