Nate Oats evaluates Brandon Miller’s career performance amid media firestorm, murder investigation

Alabama freshman Brandon Miller was already one of the biggest names of the college basketball season. However, that reached a new level this week with the development of his involvement in Darius Miles’ capital murder case coming to light.

Basketball didn’t pause, though, and the Crimson Tide allowed Miller to take the floor against South Carolina. Even with all this around him, he responded in a big way with a career-high 41 points in Alabama’s 78-76 overtime win. In the end, legal trouble or not, Nate Oats commended Miller for his mental toughness and how prepared he was on Wednesday night.

“He’s one of the most mentally tough kids I’ve ever coached. So I’m not surprised,” Oats said. “I mean 41 points? You don’t want to say you expect that. But I’m not surprised he came ready to play, and play well, tonight.”

There was plenty of animosity in the crowd last night inside Colonial Life Arena. That only became more so as the Gamecocks pushed the Crimson Tide throughout the game. Even so, Miller shined with the 41 points along with eight rebounds, three steals, and two blocks on 56% shooting and 46.2% from three. Of those points, he scored 26 of them in the second half and overtime including the layups that extended the game and won it in the end.

Regardless of his legal situation, there’s still no questioning Miller’s talent on the court. He put it on a display again in a big way on Wednesday night, which is specifically impressive considering the backlash he has faced this week.

Nate Oats: ‘I sincerely apologize’ for initial comments on Brandon Miller situation

After Wednesday’s game between Alabama and South Carolina, Nate Oats addressed his comments regarding police testimony linking Brandon Miller to last month’s shooting involving Darius Miles. He issued an apology and acknowledged his word choice.

Oats met with reporters immediately after practice Tuesday, just as news was breaking about a detective’s testimony that alleged Miles texted Miller to bring the gun to the scene of the shooting. During his answer, Oats said Miller was in the ‘wrong spot (at the) wrong time‘ and he later issued a statement clarifying what he said.

On Wednesday, he apologized for speaking without knowing all the details of the testimony.

Alabama coach Nate Oats starts his press conference by apologizing for "response to the Brandon Miller question" in Tuesday's press conference. pic.twitter.com/oZlpX8KOR2

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 23, 2023

“Before we get into the game, I just want to address yesterday’s press conference and my response to the Brandon Miller question,” Oats said. “I’m not here to make excuses. I want to make it clear I didn’t have the details from the hearing that morning since I was coming straight from practice. I used a poor choice of words making it appear like I wasn’t taking this tragic situation seriously, which we have throughout the course of it. And I sincerely apologize for that. I know Greg [Byrne] shared some information earlier today on the situation. I don’t really have anything more to add other than what he shared.”

Oats’ apology came after a career performance from Miller. He dropped 41 points — including the basket to send the game to overtime and the game-winning layup with 0.9 seconds left — to propel Alabama past South Carolina. It was a huge performance for Miller in the hostile environment in Columbia which saw a chorus of boos toward him and the student section chant ‘lock him up’ as he shot two free throws.