Brandon Miller 'really proud' of Jahvon Quinerly's growth

As many expected, the top seed of the entire NCAA Tournament, Alabama, has been taking care of business so far during the madness of March. The Crimson Tide have defeated their opponents in the tournament by an average of 21.5 points per game through two games thanks to their loaded roster led by Brandon Miller.

Miller has been leading Alabama all season, winning the SEC Player of the Year and SEC Freshman of the Year awards along with AP First-Team All-American honors. He’s averaged 19.1 points per game this season, and was the Crimson Tide’s leading scorer in 21 of their 36 games this season.

But Alabama’s two NCAA Tournament games have not been one of those 21, as Miller has taken a backseat to the Crimson Tide’s scoring attack. Senior point guard Jahvon Quinerly took over the scoring reins in their latest tournament game, leading the team with 22 points versus Maryland. And after the game, Miller showed some love to his teammate.

“Man, just looking at his injury and where he’s come from, I think it’s crazy. Really proud of him. Look at him like as a big brother. Always looked up to him,” Miller said.

Quinerly transferred to Alabama in 2020 after one season at Villanova. He started in all but six games for the Crimson Tide last season, but suffered a devastating knee injury in the NCAA Tournament versus Notre Dame just a few minutes into the game. He suffered a torn ACL, undergoing surgery and focusing on his rehab and recovery all offseason, and versus South Alabama in September, he returned to action again.

It didn’t take Quinerly long to get back to his old self, entering a new role as the Crimson Tide’s sixth man and flourishing, earning Co-Sixth Man of the Year honors in the SEC. He’s played his best in big games for Alabama this season, with four 20-point scoring outings this season all in big moments.

“Not even just about him scoring 20,” Miller said. “I think it’s him sitting down on defense and getting stops that we need. That’s not just about scoring the ball in the hoop; it’s the margin plays, diving on the floor, who is getting all the rebounds. Just a great person to have around.”

Quinerly scored 20-plus points twice in the regular season, once in a four-overtime win to a then No. 1 ranked North Carolina team and in an overtime win over Auburn. He scored 22 points in the SEC Tournament final and in Alabama’s latest NCAA Tournament game, and if he continues to dominate, the Crimson Tide will become even more difficult to take down this March.