Nate Oats: Brandon Miller’s pat down pregame introduction ‘won’t happen again’
Expectedly, Brandon Miller got a warm ovation from the Coleman Coliseum crowd on Saturday afternoon. In Alabama basketball’s second-to-last home game of the season, while players partook in their pregame introduction routine, each starter was announced and did a specific handshake with a walk-on as their name was called through the arena.
When it was Miller’s turn, he stretched his arms out and was patted down as if he were being checked for weapons.
The custom had been done before every Alabama game, but it was thrust into the national spotlight following this week’s news: Miller, along with two other Tide players, were named by investigators in a capital murder trial. Darius Miles was the only player charged.
“Before I get started on the game, it was my brought to my attention after the game about our pregame introductions,” head coach Nate Oats said. “I think that’s something that’s been going on all year. I don’t really know. I don’t really watch our introductions. I’m not involved with them. I’m drawing up plays during that time. Regardless, it’s not appropriate. It’s been addressed and I can assure you it definitely will not happen again for the remainder of this year.”
There has been national attention placed on the program’s handling of the case since the trial resumed on Tuesday. Miller, along with freshman Jaden Bradley, has been cleared by authorities and the school of any wrongdoing. Alabama hasn’t made Miller, or any player, available for press conferences in the aftermath of this week’s update.
No. 2 Alabama (25-4, 15-1 Southeastern Conference) withstood an early cold spell and rallied in the second half to beat Arkansas, 86-83. Miller scored 24 points, converting eight of his 15 shots, continuing his hot streak after a 41-point showing at South Carolina on Wednesday when Miller was booed heavily.
“Like I said after the South Carolina game, I think he’s one of the most mentally, if not the mentally most tough kids I’ve ever coached in my life and I’ve been coaching for a while,” Oats said. “While he completely understands that the situation is tragic, he takes it very seriously as he’s been cooperating the whole time. He’s also done a great job being able to focus on practices, games and getting just laser-focused where he’s dialed into where his feet are at.”
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Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].