TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Brandon Miller and the second-ranked University of Alabama men’s basketball team eked out another close win to wrap up a week that proved challenging on and off the court.
Miller scored 24 points and Mark Sears was 7-for-8 at the foul line over the final 1:04 to help the Southeastern Conference-leading Crimson Tide secure an 86-83 victory over Arkansas on Saturday, three days after their overtime win at South Carolina.
Miller delivered his second straight standout performance since police alleged in courtroom testimony that the freshman forward brought a gun to Darius Miles, a teammate at the time, who is charged with capital murder in a fatal shooting.
The week’s details cast a different light on Miller’s regular pregame introduction, which is a Tide staffer giving him a pat-down. That, coach Nate Oats said, is over.
“I think that’s something that’s been going on all year,” Oats said to open his postgame news conference. “I don’t watch our introductions. I’m not involved with them. I’m drawing up plays at that time. Regardless, it’s not appropriate. It’s been addressed, and I can assure you it definitely will not happen again the remainder of this year.”
Miller received a warmer reception at home than in South Carolina, where he heard chants of “lock him up” and “guilty” from Gamecocks fans a day after testimony about the gun, which was allegedly used by another man in the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Jamea Harris on Jan. 15.
Miller hasn’t been accused of or charged with any crime — or missed any playing time. Miller’s attorney said his client never handled the gun and that it had been left in his back seat. Police also said another Alabama player, guard Jaden Bradley, was at the scene. He started Saturday’s game and did not score.
No players were made available to reporters, and Oats declined to answer questions on the shooting case.
But there was plenty on the court to talk about regarding both the Tide (25-4, 15-1) and Arkansas (19-10, 8-8).
Razorbacks freshman Nick Smith Jr. — like Miller, he’s a potential NBA draft lottery pick — helped keep the visitors in the game with a late 3-pointer and finished with 24 points.
Miller helped key a 15-0 run for Alabama by scoring six straight points and eight total in that stretch for a 56-46 advantage midway through the second half — just the second lead of the game for the Tide. Arkansas missed eight straight shots and four consecutive free throws during that span after leading most of the way.
“We really struggled to start the second half,” coach Eric Musselman said. “That was the difference in the game, was a stretch there to start the second half.”
The Razorbacks surged back with 20 points over the final 2:48, and Smith netted a 3 with 10 seconds left to make it 85-83. Alabama’s Rylan Griffen then made the second of two free throws, and Ricky Council IV’s attempt at a tying 3 bounced off the rim.
Davonte Davis added 21 points for Arkansas, Council scored 20 and the rest of the team combined for 18.
Miller, who scored 41 against South Carolina on Wednesday, missed his first five 3-point attempts as the team got off to a 1-for-20 start from long range. He finally hit one with three minutes left.
Oats said Miller may be the most mentally tough player he has ever coached.
He said his star freshman “completely understands that the situation is tragic, and he takes it very seriously,” then added that he has “a special way about getting locked in to where he’s currently at, whether it’s practice or games or whatever. He’s been able to do that this week.”
Jahvon Quinerly had 16 points and seven assists for the Tide.
“We don’t win the game if he doesn’t play the way he does in the second half,” Oats said. “We don’t have a chance.”
Noah Clowney produced 10 points and 13 rebounds.
Arkansas held Alabama to only a trio of 3s, but the Tide scored 52 points in the paint.
“You’re not going to take away both,” Musselman said. “You’re not going to do it. That’s why they’re ranked second in the country.”
The Razorbacks used a 9-0 run followed by Smith’s baseline jumper with six seconds left in the first half to take a 37-28 lead into the break. It was the Tide’s lowest scoring first half since trailing No. 1 Houston 31-27 on Dec. 10 before rallying to win.