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No. 2 Alabama escaped an upset by South Carolina with a 78-76 overtime victory thanks to a career-high 41 points from star freshman Brandon Miller on Wednesday. It was a very competitive game from the start with nine ties and nine of the opening changes of regulation with no team leading by more than seven points, but despite the quality of the game, the story is still centered on Miller, who functioned at an elite level under. the highest levels of scrutiny.
Police testimony this week showed Miller was connected to the crime scene when former colleague Darius Miles and another man, Michael Davis, killed 23-year-old Jamea Harris in January. AL.com reported that the findings included Miller bringing the gun to the crime scene and receiving text messages from Miles referring to the weapon.
Authorities have indicated that there is nothing Miller can be charged with in connection with the killing, and university representatives – along with his legal representatives – have boasted of his full cooperation with the investigation. So, with clearance from the law and his school, Miller took to the court on Wednesday and turned in the best performance of his young career.
Miller’s 41 points came on 14-of-25 shooting with a 7-of-8 showing at the free throw line and included the game-tying shot in regulation and the game-winning shot in overtime. It was where Alabama wasn’t in the best shape defensively, but Miller continued to get the buckets needed to keep the Crimson Tide in the game.
Alabama AD explains why Miller was active
Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne joined ESPN’s College Gameday Podcast with Rece Davis and Pete Thamel on Wednesday, just hours before the game. He said at the time that he expected Miller to play and explained the university’s position in response to the new information linking Miller to the killing.
Byrne clearly stated the athletic department’s position as not wanting to do “investigators’ work” and accepting full cooperation with the process. That led to cases like this week when a statement from Miller’s lawyer came out on Wednesday after Tuesday’s revelations from the hearing, arguing that Miles had been texting Miller for “close to an hour.” asking for a ride home and Miller “. not involved in the collection of weapons.”
“Although we are not investigators, it is our duty to evaluate whether anyone has violated the rules, policies or standards of the university. We make that evaluation based on facts. We found some new facts yesterday, we discovered some new facts. today,” Byrne said. “Here’s what we know: Brandon Miller was not there for the verbal altercation. Brandon was already on his way to pick up Darius when Darius texted him. Brandon did not leave his vehicle and was not involved in the pickup of weapons. The shooting happened. seconds after Brandon arrived. Brandon is a fully cooperative witness, and there is no doubt about it.”
