Hometown Hero: Brandon Miller Shines in SEC Tournament Championship
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — It might not have officially been homecoming weekend for Alabama basketball, but for freshman guard Brandon Miller, the SEC Tournament at Bridgestone Arena was a weekend that he won't soon forget.
In his hometown city this past weekend, Miller put on a three-game clinic in the SEC Tournament at Bridgestone Arena. 23 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and three steals — and that was just in Sunday's championship game in the Crimson Tide's 82-63 win over the Texas A&M Aggies.
On Friday in Alabama's opener against Mississippi State, Miller recorded 18 points, nine rebounds, five assists and a steal. In Saturday's semifinal game against Missouri, it was a similar stat line: 20 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, a block and a steal.
As the confetti fell down upon the Crimson Tide prior to the net-cutting ceremony, Miller was named the to the SEC All-Tournament team and the tournament MVP. In front of his family, friends and teammates, Miller was given both trophies — a testament to his impressive three-game performance for the Crimson Tide.
To Miller, being able to return to Nashville and win a championship meant everything.
"It means a lot," Miller said. "Have my family come five minutes down the road to watch me play. I've seen friends. My high school coach was here. That's probably the best thing. The funnest part is coming out here, getting the win with my guys in the SEC championship."
Miller has been the primary center of attention for Alabama basketball this season for a number of reasons both on and off the court. However, in his MVP-caliber weekend, the focus once again returned to his performance on the hardwood.
Despite all of the controversy — and regardless of one's opinion on the matter — there is no question: Brandon Miller was the best basketball player in the country during tournament week.
"Nice it's Brandon's home city," Alabama head coach Nate Oats said. "Tournament MVP when he's in front of a lot of friends and family back here at home. [...] You can't win these games without players. We're fortunate to have the best player on the floor this year every time we walked out with Brandon."
Miller, Oats and Alabama basketball now await the NCAA Selection Show (5 p.m. CT, CBS) to find out where they will be playing next. With Sunday's win, the Crimson Tide is now the heavy favorite to be the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament — something that has never happened before in program history.
And if Miller and his teammates are able to play like they did on Sunday, who knows just how far this team can go? With the bonding that they've been able to do since before the season started and the tough adversity that the unit has been able to overcome, the sky is truly the limit.
And even with all of the accolades being showered on him, Miller still points to his teammates as the reason behind his success.
"Without my teammates behind me, I feel like I wouldn't be here today," Miller said.
See Also:
Alabama Basketball Wins 2023 SEC Tournament
Alabama Players React to Winning SEC Title: 'We Want More'
Everything Nate Oats, Alabama Basketball Said After Defeating Texas A&M in the SEC Championship
