Matt Norlander calls out lack of ‘common sense’ from Brandon Miller despite lack of charges

The situation involving Brandon Miller at Alabama has plenty of emotions running high. Many did not expect to see his name become involved in the matter that ended in the death of Jamea Harris or the arrest of former Crimson Tide player Darius Miles. However, since his name, presence, and even potential involvement have been linked to the matter, several are left wondering why Nate Oats or Alabama didn’t do more?

Matt Norlander at CBS Sports is one of those people who are asking those big questions about the Tide’s program. He recently shared his thoughts on the matter on ‘Eyes on College Basketball’ with Gary Parrish. He said common sense obviously wasn’t in play in a situation that makes it hard for him to believe that no one violated any rules, whether from a legal standpoint or from the university.

“I just don’t understand why Oats and that program didn’t opt to do the right thing and have some disciplinary actions,” said Norlander. “If you just take it at its face? Miller receives a text message from his then-teammate asking him to come back downtown. And (he) used language that would indicate he was asking him to bring his gun. And it’s one in the morning? Common sense has gotta apply here.”

“Again, this is completely separate with whether or not Miller has been charged, should be charged. It’s separate from that. It’s did Alabama review this? And determine if Brandon Miller and Jaden Bradley violated simple code of conduct rules at the university?,” Norlander asked. “This isn’t a violation of that? This wouldn’t trigger some kind of suspension?”

Although this was swirling around him, Alabama allowed Miller to take the floor on Wednesday night. He put on a career performance too with 41 points and several key plays during Alabama’s overtime win at South Carolina.

With that said, Norlander explicitly believes this falls on Oats’ lack of discipline within his program. He feels Miller was able to get off scot-free with actions, intentional or not, that eventually led to someone’s death and, considering the responsibility Oats has, he doesn’t think anyone in the situation made the correct choices.

“Even if, for whatever reason, the people above Nate Oats’ head decided we don’t think you absolutely have to discipline these two players? He’s still the head coach of the program!,” Norlander exclaimed. “He just got a major extension a few weeks after this happened. Within the past month! He can still make the ultimate decision to say, ‘No, I want to do the right thing’.”

“It looks so much worse after the fact that all of these details come out with Brandon Miller’s involvement in this. If he does not do this? It is not unthinkable and it seems relatively possible that this woman’s life isn’t taken,” said Norlander. “He brings the actual gun to the scene! Because it wasn’t there to begin with. It’s genuinely infuriating. And I’m not here for Alabama fans trying to justify this.”