Brandon Miller says groin injury is '100%'

Brandon Miller didn’t exactly look like himself during the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament. A groin injury we learned about as the week progressed appeared to be hampering the Alabama star as his numbers, specifically his efficiency, plummeted.

However, it seems like the tournament’s top team will be getting the best version of their leading scorer back based on what he said leading into the Sweet 16. He says he and their lead athletic trainer put a major focus on it during the team’s time off and that, now, he feels ‘100%’ heading into their matchup with San Diego State in the regional semifinals.

“It’s been really good,” Miller said. “I feel like me and Clarke (Holter) spent a lot of time with it during the break. I feel like I can just go out here and compete with my team at 100%”

Miller really struggled in Alabama’s 2-0 week in Birmingham to open March Madness. The freshman posted the only scoreless game of his season against Texas A&M-CC. He ended up shooting 0-5 from the field on the night, including 0-3 from three. He bounced back with 19 points against Maryland in the Round of 32 but still struggled mightily shooting the ball.

In total, Miller’s averages in the NCAA Tournament come out to just 9.5 points per game after averaging 19.1 over the course of the season. He paired that with six rebounds and a pair of turnovers per contest. It’s been inefficient, though, as he’s shot just 5-22 (22.7%) from the field, including 2-9 from three (22.2%).

Although Alabama is more than Miller, his productivity is what makes them one of the most dangerous teams left in the field, if not the most dangerous by far. With his health being a big concern over March Madness’ first weekend, there’s a collective sigh of relief coming from Tuscaloosa now that he’s back to full strength as the Tide head to Louisville.

LOOK: Nick Saban makes surprise appearance at Alabama basketball practice

Alabama Crimson Tide football coach Nick Saban knows a thing or two or seven about winning national championships. However, this March, it’s the basketball program that is expected to make a championship run.

As the basketball team prepares for the Sweet Sixteen, Saban decided to show up at practice to show his support for the program.

Look at Nick Saban visiting the Alabama basketball practice, here:

Appreciate Coach Saban spending some time with us this morning before we head to Louisville for the #Sweet16. #RollTide pic.twitter.com/Zbs8eH9dCS

— Alabama Men’s Basketball (@AlabamaMBB) March 22, 2023

It looked like Nick Saban was having a good time with the team in the pictures. Hopefully, for Alabama, Saban was able to provide some wisdom as they get down into the crunch of March Madness.