NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Alabama basketball group has answered some robust challenges this season, whether or not or not it’s a 15-point comeback on the highway towards Houston or a grueling four-overtime victory over North Carolina.

On Tuesday night time, although, there was a complete completely different sort of problem.

On Sunday afternoon, ahead Darius Miles was arrested and charged with capital homicide, following the demise of sufferer Jamea Jonae Harris early Sunday morning. Miles was instantly eliminated as a member of the Alabama males’s basketball group.  

Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats acknowledged there could be a therapeutic course of for his group following the information. 

“There have been a lot of hugs final night time,” Oats instructed the media on Monday. “Everybody understands the scenario. Everybody’s conscious of the companies provided on campus, and are benefiting from them by our sports activities drugs for most of these conditions.”

Coming into Tuesday’s recreation towards Vanderbilt, Alabama was rolling on the courtroom. The Crimson Tide had received six video games in a row, all by double digits. Abruptly, although, that momentum felt to be halted, as basketball felt insignificant. 

“I did not see a ton of emotion pregame, essentially,” Oats mentioned after the sport. “I assumed guys acquired themselves locked in, able to go. Virtually like, ‘let’s use basketball as a little bit of a launch,’ if that is smart.”

Alabama’s play mirrored Oats’ evaluation of their psychological state earlier than the sport. 

The Crimson Tide secured a 78-66 victory, headlined by star freshman Brandon Miller who scored 30 factors within the recreation — his second recreation in a row scoring at the least 30.

Alabama lead by as many as 20 within the second half after main by 10 at halftime. There have been instances when Vanderbilt tried to make a comeback, however each time the Crimson Tide discovered methods to reply and maintain the Commodores at arm’s size.

When the clock hit triple zeroes, and Alabama walked off the ground with a 12-point win, the scene within the locker room was a lot completely different.

“I did see some guys break down postgame,” Oats mentioned. “I feel they have been bottling some stuff up. […] It is virtually like a giant aid. Recreation’s over and we are able to set free a sigh of aid.”

Whereas the group’s efficiency within the recreation and response to the week’s occasions is one to admire, Oats understands that the therapeutic course of will not be one which takes place in a single day. 

“I feel the blokes nonetheless want a while. They will want a whole lot of time,” Oats mentioned. “Guys have been utilizing the assets with the varsity, with the advisors. I feel extra of them will see some counselors tomorrow, it is a arduous scenario for these guys to undergo.”

If there’s one factor for sure concerning the 2022-23 Alabama basketball group, it is that it is filled with mentally robust gamers.

“We have got a mentally robust group. They’re younger, however they’re fairly mentally robust,” Oats mentioned. “We had been closing with 4 freshmen on the ground for some time there tonight. […] I assumed even if they’re freshman they’ve proven some psychological toughness. They take issues severely, they research the sport. I feel it exhibits.”

Even after an unprecedented and unparalleled stone hurled this group’s manner, the gamers as soon as once more answered what could have been their hardest problem but.

The challenges do not let up, although. Subsequent, Alabama travels to Columbia to tackle Missouri in Mizzou Area, a spot the place the Crimson Tide has but to win since Oats took over in 2019.

“They have been by quite a bit emotionally, mentally, psychologically,” Oats mentioned. “I did not count on an ideal recreation that manner, however we have to get higher.”

Tipoff between No. 4 Alabama and Missouri is ready for five p.m. CT on Saturday and will probably be broadcast on SEC Community.

See additionally:

Miller, No. 4 Alabama Win Ugly at Vanderbilt