Brandon Miller Displays Generational Performance in Alabama's Overtime Win

Alabama needed an outstanding game from its star freshman in order to escape South Carolina with a win, and he gave one.

In the record book, it'll just go down as a 78-76 victory in overtime. 

However, it'll forever be remembered as one of the most dominating performances in Alabama Crimson Tide basketball history, especially considering the circumstances. 

On paper, Brandon Miller scored 41 points, and every last one of them necessary as Alabama pulled out a 78-76 victory at South Carolina on Wednesday night. 

But when you factor in how the previous 36 hours had been a whirlwind, the freshman had a game that no one will ever forget. 

The Crimson Tide's star freshman and potential NBA lottery pick was thrust back into the national spotlight on Tuesday afternoon following the preliminary hearing of the case surrounding ex-Alabama basketball player Darius Miles.

The hearing publicly revealed Miller's involvement with the case, which was met with intense backlash, criticism, and even "misinformation," as described by ESPN's Mike Morgan during the game broadcast.

In the hours prior to the tip, both Miller's attorney and Alabama Athletics released statements pertaining to the events and Miller's status with the team.

Despite all of the outside noise, despite the intense booing and jeering from South Carolina fans inside Colonial Life Arena, despite Miller's own mental state, he still donned his crimson and white jersey and prepared to do what he does best. 

The same couldn't be said of the rest of the Crimson Tide which understandably looked out of focus. 

The play was sloppy, the energy was nonexistent, and no one besides Miller looked ready to play. 

But Miller was.

His 41 points marked a career-high, breaking the 36-point mark set against Gonzaga on Dec. 17. The point total was the most scored by an Alabama freshman since Collin Sexton's infamous 3-on-5 game in the 2017-18 season, when he netted 40. 

He made six of his 13 3-point attempts and shot 14-for-25 from the floor.

Miller also scored both the game-tying layup in regulation, and the game-winning layup in overtime, both on exquisite off-hand finishes while attacking the basket on similar play designs.

"[Miller] is one of the most mentally tough kids I've ever coached," Alabama head coach Nate Oats said. "I'm not surprised he came ready to play and played well tonight."

Outside of Miller, Alabama struggled mightily offensively. Only one other Crimson Tide player — Mark Sears — made a 3-pointer.

The rest of the team combined to make 13 shots from the field — total — one shy of Miller's 14. Alabama's second-leading scorer was Charles Bediako with 10 points.

"If I want to make an excuse for [the rest of the team's play] I could use it, but I'm not really a guy who makes too many excuses," Oats said. "We've got to play better. Some of those other guys didn't play up to their typical performance."

The win, if nothing else, was a massively important one for Alabama's SEC regular season title hopes. The Crimson Tide's victory held its one-game lead over Texas A&M, with a matchup in College Station looming in just 10 days.

Oats compared the win to the road game against Vanderbilt, which was Alabama's first game it played after Miles' charge and arrest. The coach thought that Miller's focus in that game was similar to this one. 

"I thought Brandon did a great job really getting himself mentally prepared to play," Oats said. "He was really aggressive tonight, we needed him to be aggressive."

Amidst all the events of this week, Oats feels that Miller used the sport as an escape.

"Basketball kind of becomes a safe haven for some of these guys," Oats said. "They get on the floor, they can kind of lock into what they've done their whole lives, and put some of the outside stuff out of their minds."

With Miller's heroic effort propelling Alabama to a victory, the No. 2 Crimson Tide turns its attention to a home date with Arkansas on Saturday. The game will tip off at 1 p.m. and be aired on ESPN.

See also:

Miller’s 41 points lead No. 2 Alabama Over South Carolina in Overtime

What Nate Oats Said After Alabama Beat South Carolina in OT