BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Alabama basketball followers have rather a lot to level their collective fingers at when searching for causes that the Crimson Tide fell 100-90 to the Gonzaga Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon.

Frequent turnovers within the first half and poor protection within the second half have been two of the important thing elements within the Crimson Tide’s loss. Nevertheless, there was one issue that Alabama followers cannot and will not level to, and with good cause.

The issue? Brandon Miller.

After the primary 20 minutes of the sport, it was evident that Miller was going to complete the sport robust. With 10 factors and three rebounds on the break, Miller was poised to steer Alabama in a number of classes. He did not cease there, nevertheless.

By the top of the sport, Miller totaled a whopping 36 factors and 6 rebounds. Whereas the Crimson Tide failed to ascertain any form of presence on the defensive finish of the court docket — notably within the second half — Miller was dominating on the alternative finish.

“He bought it going there — particularly within the second half,” Alabama head coach Nate Oats mentioned after the sport. “It is a good factor he did or we would have be in some actual bother with how good Gonzaga was on offense. Brandon’s actually gifted, as we all know. They began trapping him on ball screens we in all probability ought to’ve performed a greater job determining the way to counter that.

“Brandon made some photographs and we gotta work out methods to make use of him when groups guard in numerous methods and we gotta do some bit higher to counteract what groups are doing since that is not the final time he is gonna have some explosive video games like that.”

After taking part in reverse him on Saturday, Gonzaga ahead Drew Timme believes Miller to be an NBA lottery decide on the Crimson Tide’s roster.

“We thought he would do one thing like that,” Timme mentioned. “To not that stage, clearly, however lottery-level man. He is a hell of a participant and he actually stepped up when his crew wanted him. You simply gotta tip your hat off as a result of you’ll be able to solely play such good protection.”

To date this season, Miller is averaging 20.1 factors per recreation and is second to solely fellow freshman Noah Clowney in rebounds with 90 by 11 video games. He’s third on the crew with 10 blocks and has tallied six steals on the season so far.

Miller has been gaining nationwide recognition over Alabama’s 11 video games. Nevertheless, Saturday’s recreation on CBS arguably put Miller on his largest stage but. And with the Crimson Tide presently sitting at No. 4 within the AP High 25 — and can little doubt drop on this coming week’s version — flying beneath the radar is now not an possibility for Miller.

To Miller, his success has all been a part of creating as a participant.

“It is only a studying course of,” Miller mentioned. “I attempt to not get too caught up within the crowd and all the surface stuff, so I simply keep near my teammates and simply play off them.”

The loss actually will not sit properly for Alabama followers. After beating then-No. 1 Houston on the street final weekend earlier than downing Memphis in a revenge recreation on Tuesday, the Crimson Tide appeared poised to complete the robust three-game stretch with a 3-0 file. That wasn’t meant to be, however Alabama followers can glad with the truth that Miller lastly carried out properly in a giant recreation.

In opposition to then-No. 1 North Carolina within the Phil Knight Invitational, Miller recorded 14 factors and 7 rebounds — a good displaying when you think about the truth that Miller did not rating within the first half, however not numbers that Crimson Tide followers have come to anticipate. At Houston, Miller was comparatively quiet as soon as once more with simply eight factors and 5 rebounds.

Nevertheless, towards Gonzaga, Miller lastly had a displaying towards a top-25 opponent. With 36 factors and 6 rebounds on a nationwide stage. The sport outcome won’t have been what Alabama followers needed, however they’ll take solace in the truth that Miller has been dwelling as much as all the pieces that was promised.

To Oats, Miller was a giant distinction maker.

“We would not have been within the recreation in any respect,” Oats mentioned. “[…] It is good to have a man that may go rating the basketball at a reasonably excessive clip to maintain you in some video games if you’re struggling in another areas.”

This story can be up to date with video from Saturday’s postgame press convention.

See Additionally:

Alabama Falls to Gonzaga within the C.M. Newton Basic, 100-90

Alabama Basketball Leaves Legacy Area with One other Loss

BamaCentral Courtside: No. 15 Gonzaga 100, No. 4 Alabama 90

Need to see Crimson Tide hoops in particular person? Try SI Tickets.