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Brandon Miller says he felt ‘100 percent’ in Alabama’s NCAA Tournament game Saturday after being limited by injury
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Brandon Miller was more like his usual self on Saturday night in Birmingham.
Alabama’s star forward has recently dealt with a groin injury. On Thursday, Miller went scoreless in 19 minutes of playing time in No. 1 seed UA’s first-round game against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. In the Crimson Tide’s win over No. 8 seed Maryland on Saturday, Miller played 34 minutes, scoring 19 points and grabbing 7 rebounds.
“I’m 100%,” Miller told reporters after Saturday’s game. “It’s just the preparation. … So I think it’s the biggest thing was the preparation coming into this game.”
Miller discussed the physical and mental prep to play for a trip to the Sweet 16.
“I think the biggest thing coming into this game is just preparation,” Miller said. “Things you put in your body. Things how you — just come out and get loose with your team. And I came out with a lot of energy. The energy me and my teammates needed to get a win over a great team.”
Miller did not play the final 14 minutes of Alabama’s first-round win, telling Nate Oats to only play him if needed after an early exit in the 2nd half. Saturday was a different story.
“It felt great, just being out there,” Miller said. “It’s just a blessing just being out there. I think growing up as a kid — for all kids, it’s a dream for them. To be here is just a blessing to be here to play and compete with my team.”
Miller will next be competing in Louisville when Alabama faces No. 5 seed San Diego State in the Sweet 16.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
