Brandon Miller explains how Alabama has maintained focus amid off-court distraction

Alabama didn’t play nearly its best game of the season yet still whipped likely tournament-bound Mississippi State from start to finish in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals to win 72-49. As per usual, freshman phenom Brandon Miller led the way on offense, scoring 18 points to come in just shy of his season average. After a loss to end the regular season followed by a few days of rest, Miller said he and the team were hungry to get back on the court.

In the postgame interview with ESPN’s Marty Smith following the MSU win, Miller said, “I feel like everybody, you know, coming off a loss at a nice Texas A&M atmosphere, I feel like we just had to come in here with the energy that we had today and just get another win.”

Smith then asked Miller if it was difficult to play with that sort of energy and focus with the national spotlight on Alabama for reasons not relating to basketball. Per Miller, the Tide are a connected team and there for each other through thick and thin.

“I think it’s just everybody leaning on each other and just being there for each other,” said the talented forward. Miller then went on to brag about the selflessness of the team on the court, as evidenced by their strong defensive performance on Friday.

“I just feel like we got a great group of guys that want to win and are just willing to make all the dirty plays like diving on the floor, taking a charge and it’s just all about the blue collar stuff, Alabama Basketball. I think we came out and had the energy and got another win over another great team.”

Good stuff from Brandon Miller after a resounding win over Mississippi State. If anyone was doubting the Tide because of some inconsistent play to end the season, Alabama certainly shut them up for at least another day.