Alabama Crimson Tide Basketball

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Men's Basketball

Former Alabama CBB Player Darius Miles Pleads Not Guilty in Capital Murder Case

Apr 3, 2023
Alabama forward Darius Miles looks to pass in the second half an NCAA college basketball game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, March 5, 2022. LSU won in overtime 80-77. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Alabama forward Darius Miles looks to pass in the second half an NCAA college basketball game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, March 5, 2022. LSU won in overtime 80-77. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Former Alabama men's basketball player Darius Miles has entered a not-guilty plea in his capital murder case stemming from the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Jamea Harris on Jan. 15.

According to Nick Kelly of The Tuscaloosa News, Miles "waived his rights to be present at an arraignment and for an attorney to represent him at an arraignment."

Last month, Miles and Michael Lynn Davis were indicted on capital murder charges by a grand jury. Both of them have been in jail since January after being denied bond at a preliminary hearing in February, and Miles' next bond hearing is on May 24.

Davis is accused of shooting Harris following an altercation on the Tuscaloosa Strip near the University of Alabama campus. The gun allegedly belonged to Miles and was transported to him at his request.

A police officer testified that Crimson Tide star forward Brandon Miller transported the firearm to Miles, but Miller's attorney said that his client was not aware of Miles' intent to use the weapon when he drove to meet him. A Tuscaloosa district attorney said Miller will not face charges for his role in the killing.

Immediately after Miles' arrest, Alabama announced that he was no longer a member of the team. The 21-year-old junior had appeared in six games this season and averaged 6.5 minutes per contest.

Brandon Miller Declares For 2023 NBA Draft After Freshman Season at Alabama

Mar 30, 2023
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MARCH 24: Brandon Miller #24 of the Alabama Crimson Tide shoots against the San Diego State Aztecs during the second half in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at KFC YUM! Center on March 24, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MARCH 24: Brandon Miller #24 of the Alabama Crimson Tide shoots against the San Diego State Aztecs during the second half in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at KFC YUM! Center on March 24, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

After a stellar freshman season at Alabama, star guard Brandon Miller is ready to take his talents to the next level.

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Miller said Thursday he's declaring for the NBA draft:

A 5-star recruit in the class of 2022, Miller lived up to the hype and propelled the Crimson Tide to new heights this season. He helped lead the team to the SEC regular-season and tournament championships and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA men's basketball tournament for the first time in program history.

Miller led the SEC with 18.8 points per game while also adding 8.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists. He set a program record with 41 points in an overtime win against South Carolina in February. For his efforts, he was named SEC Player of the Year, SEC Rookie of the Year, first-team All-SEC, SEC Tournament MVP and a consensus second-team All-American.

Unfortunately, Miller's production waned in the NCAA tournament, as he shot just 19.5 percent from the field in three games before Alabama fell to San Diego State in the Sweet 16. He shot just 3-for-19 in the losing effort.

Miller dealt with some tumult off the court late in the season. On Feb. 21, a Tuscaloosa police officer testified that he transported a firearm to former teammate Darius Miles that was used in the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Jamea Harris. Miller's attorney stated that his client was unaware of any intent to use a weapon when he drove to pick up Miles, and a Tuscaloosa district attorney said Miller will not face charges for the incident.

The 20-year-old will likely become Alabama's highest-drafted player since Antonio McDyess was selected second overall in 1995.

Brandon Miller, No. 1 Alabama Shock Twitter with 2nd-Half Collapse in Loss to SDSU

Mar 25, 2023
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MARCH 24: Brandon Miller #24 of the Alabama Crimson Tide shoots against Darrion Trammell #12 of the San Diego State Aztecs during the first half in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at KFC YUM! Center on March 24, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MARCH 24: Brandon Miller #24 of the Alabama Crimson Tide shoots against Darrion Trammell #12 of the San Diego State Aztecs during the first half in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at KFC YUM! Center on March 24, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Down goes Bama.

The No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide were eliminated from the men's NCAA tournament on Friday with a 71-64 loss to the No. 5 San Diego State Aztecs in the Sweet 16 at the KFC Yum! Center.

The Crimson Tide trailed the Aztecs 28-23 entering halftime and were unable to find their scoring touch in the second half.

Head coach Nate Oats' squad has been the fifth-best offensive team in the country, averaging 82.3 points per game, but it didn't come close to hitting that mark Friday against a swarming SDSU defense.

Freshman forward Brandon Miller, the team's star player and a projected high lottery pick in the 2023 NBA draft, finished with just nine points, 11 rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block.

For comparison, he entered the night averaging 19.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 44.1 percent from the floor and 39.5 percent from deep.

Senior guard Jahvon Quinerly finished with 10 points, three rebounds and three assists, and sophomore center Charles Bediako notched 10 points and seven rebounds.

College basketball fans were in shock that Alabama collapsed, especially after it put together a strong run in the tournament up to this point:

https://twitter.com/Dart_Adams/status/1639430319076958208

Entering this year's tournament, Alabama had won just one Sweet 16 matchup in program history. Now the Crimson Tide will not know what it tastes like to make it back to the Elite Eight as they return to Tuscaloosa.

San Diego State, meanwhile, will take on either No. 6 Creighton or No. 15 Princeton with a berth in the Final Four on the line.


Watch March Madness Live to stream every tournament game through the Final Four.

Brandon Miller, Alabama Wow Fans in Win vs. Maryland in 2023 Men's NCAA Tournament

Mar 19, 2023
Alabama forward Brandon Miller (24) is guarded by Maryland guard Jahmir Young (1) in the first half of a second-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament in Birmingham, Ala., Saturday, March 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Alabama forward Brandon Miller (24) is guarded by Maryland guard Jahmir Young (1) in the first half of a second-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament in Birmingham, Ala., Saturday, March 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

The No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide continue to roll.

Alabama defeated No. 8 Maryland 73-51 on Saturday in the second round of the men's NCAA tournament to become just the second No. 1 seed to advance to the Sweet Sixteen, joining Houston. The other two No. 1 seeds—Purdue and Kansas—have been eliminated.

The Crimson Tide controlled Saturday's game from start to finish, entering halftime with a 28-23 lead before closing out the second half with 45 points.

Alabama was led by a strong performance from freshman forward Brandon Miller, who finished with 19 points, seven rebounds and one block. He made five of 17 shots from the floor and two of six shots from deep.

Sophomore center Charles Bediako and senior guard Jahvon Quinerly also impressed. Bediako finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds, one assist, two steals and two blocks, and Quinerly finished with 22 points, two rebounds, two assists and three steals.

After the win, college basketball fans praised Miller and the Crimson Tide for their performance:

https://twitter.com/PeypeySiva3/status/1637299982456741889

With Miller leading the way, the Crimson Tide will only continue to be one of the most difficult teams to play against in what should be a long run for Alabama in this tournament.

The Crimson Tide are set to take on No. 5 San Diego State in the Sweet 16.


Watch March Madness Live to stream every tournament game through the Final Four.

Alabama's Nate Oats 'Prays' Brandon Miller Can Play Through Groin Injury vs. Maryland

Mar 17, 2023
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - MARCH 16: Brandon Miller #24 of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks to pass against Trevian Tennyson #0 of the Texas A&M-CC Islanders during the first half in the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Legacy Arena at the BJCC on March 16, 2023 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - MARCH 16: Brandon Miller #24 of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks to pass against Trevian Tennyson #0 of the Texas A&M-CC Islanders during the first half in the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Legacy Arena at the BJCC on March 16, 2023 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

The top-seeded Alabama Crimson Tide cruised to the second round of the NCAA men's basketball tournament, but they might face a challenge in their next game if their best player is unavailable.

Alabama head coach Nate Oats told reporters on Friday that he "prays" that star guard Brandon Miller will be available for Saturday's game against No. 8 Maryland after he suffered a groin injury in the SEC tournament title game.

Miller played in Alabama's first-round win over Texas A&M Corpus Christi, but he went scoreless on 0-of-5 shooting in 19 minutes of action in the 96-75 victory. It was a surprising performance from the projected lottery pick after he led the Crimson Tide with 19.7 points per game this season, though he did add five rebounds, three assists and three turnovers.

"I think he's smart enough to know if he can go or not and help us," Oats said. "If he can't, the good thing about our team is we've got a lot of depth. ... We've got different options. Pray we don't have to go to all those."

For his part, Miller expressed confidence that he'll be able to take the floor on Saturday.

"I feel like I was just there to support my team," he said after the game on Thursday, later adding that the injury is "getting better by the day." When asked if he expected to play against Maryland, he responded, "Of course."

Miller has dealt with some tumult in recent weeks due to his connection to a capital murder case involving former teammate Darius Miles and another man, who are both charged in a deadly shooting that occurred on Jan. 15. A police officer testified that Miller, who is not a suspect in the crime and is cooperating with the investigation, received a text from Miles to bring him his gun in the hours before the fatal shooting.

Due to recent death threats, Miller has been escorted by an armed security guard at the NCAA tournament.

It would be a significant blow to Alabama's national championship hopes if Miller is unable to take the floor on Saturday.

"I hope he's good enough and healthy enough to play. ... I think he will. But it definitely would limit us," Oats said. "Shoot, he might be the best player in the country. It would be nice if we had him."


Watch March Madness Live to stream every tournament game through the Final Four.

Alabama's Depth Hyped on Twitter as Brandon Miller Scores 0 in Rout of Texas A&M CC

Mar 16, 2023
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - MARCH 16: Jahvon Quinerly #5 of the Alabama Crimson Tide shoots the ball against Simeon Fryer #22 of the Texas A&M-CC Islanders during the second half in the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Legacy Arena at the BJCC on March 16, 2023 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - MARCH 16: Jahvon Quinerly #5 of the Alabama Crimson Tide shoots the ball against Simeon Fryer #22 of the Texas A&M-CC Islanders during the second half in the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Legacy Arena at the BJCC on March 16, 2023 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The No. 1 overall seed didn't encounter much trouble as it opened the 2023 NCAA men's basketball tournament Thursday.

Alabama cruised past No. 16 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 96-75.

The Crimson Tide were up 54-34 by halftime. The Islanders got the deficit down to 13 points with 17 minutes left in the second half before Alabama head coach Nate Oats called a timeout to regroup. Bama dominated from that point forward.

Texas A&M Corpus-Christi simply couldn't match the Tide's overwhelming depth.

The drama-free win came despite leading scorer Brandon Miller going scoreless on five shot attempts. He finished with five rebounds three assists and one block in his 19 minutes on the floor.

Nick Pringle led the way off the bench, posting a double-double (19 points, 15 rebounds). Jahvon Quinerly and Mark Sears combined for 28 points as well.

As a team, the Crimson Tide shot 46.5 percent from the field and went 15-of-23 from beyond the arc.

Alabama will play No. 9 Maryland in the second round Saturday. The Terrapins overcame a sluggish start and sneaked past West Virginia 67-65.

Miller's lackluster showing didn't matter for his team in the opening round. That's going to change as the Tide get deeper into the bracket, and a similar performance could cause some trouble against Maryland.


Watch March Madness Live to stream every tournament game through the Final Four.

Alabama's Kai Spears Denies He Was at Scene of Fatal Shooting: '100% Inaccurate'

Mar 16, 2023
College Basketball: a general view of a basketball with the Alabama logo displayed vs LSU during game at Coleman Coliseum. 
Tuscaloosa, AL 1/14/2023 
CREDIT: Greg Nelson (Photo by Greg Nelson/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) 
(Set Number: X164278 TK1)
College Basketball: a general view of a basketball with the Alabama logo displayed vs LSU during game at Coleman Coliseum. Tuscaloosa, AL 1/14/2023 CREDIT: Greg Nelson (Photo by Greg Nelson/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (Set Number: X164278 TK1)

Alabama guard Kai Spears refuted a report alleging he was at the scene of the fatal shooting of Jamea Harris.

"I have one thing to say—the report in the New York Times was 100% inaccurate and the writer had complete disregard for the truth," Spears said Thursday on Instagram. "I am trying to process and cope with these false statements that somehow have been published and then seen by so many."

Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne also called the story "untrue."

"Some inaccurate narratives have been reported about the involvement of Alabama student-athletes that display an unfortunate disregard of the facts," he said. "We ask all to exercise careful due diligence before reporting on this sensitive situation."

On Wednesday, the New York Times' Billy Witz reported Spears was in the car with teammate Brandon Miller during the shooting.

Alabama athletic department spokeswoman Jessica L. Paré told Witz that Spears wasn't at the scene "based on the information we have."

Spears' father Christian Spears is the athletic director at Marshall. He issued a statement pushing back on the Times story as well.

"I am just incredibly disappointed in the irresponsible and demonstrably false reporting by the NY Times," he said. We are exploring all legal options at this time. I will have no further comment, instead deferring to the University of Alabama's statement on the matter."

Former Alabama player Darius Miles and Michael Lynn Davis were indicted on capital murder charges in the killing of Harris. Davis allegedly pulled the trigger, with Miles providing him with the handgun.

The Alabama men's basketball program quickly came under scrutiny when a Tuscaloosa police detective testified Miles had texted Miller to bring him the gun. Miller's attorney said his client was already on the way when he received the message and was unaware the gun was in his vehicle.

The freshman star hasn't been charged with a crime, though many criticized the school's decision to let him continue to play.

Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats said Wednesday an armed security guard is now protecting Miller due to threats to his safety.

How to Watch Every Men's NCAA Tournament Game Live on 2023 March Madness Schedule

Mar 16, 2023
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - APRIL 04: Remy Martin #11 of the Kansas Jayhawks reacts as Kansas Jayhawks players and coaches hold up the trophy after defeating the North Carolina Tar Heels 72-69 during the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament National Championship at Caesars Superdome on April 04, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - APRIL 04: Remy Martin #11 of the Kansas Jayhawks reacts as Kansas Jayhawks players and coaches hold up the trophy after defeating the North Carolina Tar Heels 72-69 during the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament National Championship at Caesars Superdome on April 04, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

Let the Madness begin.

The first round of the 2023 NCAA men's basketball tournament starts Thursday with a showdown between the Big Ten's Maryland Terrapins and Big 12's West Virginia Mountaineers. From there, March Madness will live up to its moniker with a run of single-elimination matchups that goes until the national title is decided on April 3.

Every tournament game can be streamed at March Madness Live. Here is the broadcast information for each contest, per NCAA.com:

Thursday, March 16 (Round of 64. All times Eastern)

Friday, March 17 (Round of 64. All times Eastern)

Saturday, March 18 (Round of 32. All times Eastern)

Sunday, March 19 (Round of 32. All times Eastern)

Thursday, March 23 (Sweet 16. All times Eastern)

Friday, March 24 (Sweet 16. All times Eastern)

Saturday, March 25 (Elite 8. All times Eastern)

Sunday, March 26 (Elite 8. All times Eastern)

Saturday, April 1 (Final Four. All times Eastern)

Monday, April 3 (National championship game)


The four No. 1 seeds in this year's tournament are Alabama, Houston, Kansas and Purdue.

While the Cougars may be overlooked by some because they are in the American Athletic Conference and not one of the traditional power leagues, they are the top team in KenPom.com's rankings and can win the game on either side of the floor with the No. 4 defense and No. 11 offense.

Yet it will be the Jayhawks looking for back-to-back titles if they can escape a daunting West Region that includes UCLA, Gonzaga and UConn.

Throw in the Crimson Tide going for their first Final Four in program history and the Boilermakers attempting to win the Big Ten its first national title since 2000 and there will be no shortage of storylines for the top seeds as the tournament gets underway.

Alabama's Brandon Miller Has Security Guard at NCAA Tournament After Getting Threats

Mar 15, 2023
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - MARCH 15:  Brandon Miller #24 o the Alabama Crimson Tide looks on during a practice session ahead of the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Legacy Arena at the BJCC on March 15, 2023 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - MARCH 15: Brandon Miller #24 o the Alabama Crimson Tide looks on during a practice session ahead of the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Legacy Arena at the BJCC on March 15, 2023 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

As the Alabama Crimson Tide prepare to start their run in the 2023 NCAA men's basketball tournament, star player Brandon Miller is traveling with an armed security guard.

"If you guys saw some of what I've seen sent his way, I think you would understand why that's the case," head coach Nate Oats said, per Paul Newberry of the Associated Press. "I don't want to get into all that. The entire situation, as you know, is just a heartbreaking situation on all accounts."

Miller did not say much about the situation.

"I always travel with security to all the games," he said. "That's all I'm gonna say on that."

The armed guard was present during Miller's interview session and when he was participating in a practice.

Newberry noted a police officer mentioned the freshman forward during February testimony in the capital murder case of former Alabama player Darius Miles and another man, Michael Davis. Miles and Davis were charged in the January shooting death of 23-year-old Jamea Harris.

According to the police officer, Miller brought Miles—who has since been dismissed from the Crimson Tide team—his gun when Miles texted him asking him to do so.

Miller has not been charged with a crime and has been described as a cooperating witness.

"That's not a question I can answer," Tuscaloosa chief deputy district attorney Paula Whitley said when asked why Miller was not charged with anything, per Mike Rodak of AL.com. "There's nothing we could charge him with."

On the court, Miller was the SEC Player of the Year and a major reason Alabama is the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament. He is also expected to be a high pick in the upcoming NBA draft.

The Crimson Tide face Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Thursday in their first-round matchup.

Alabama Crowned as CBB's Best by Fans After Crushing Texas A&M for SEC Championship

Mar 12, 2023
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 12: Brandon Miller #24 of the Alabama Crimson Tide drives to the basket against Andersson Garcia #11 of the Texas A&M Aggies during the first half in the SEC Basketball Tournament Championship game at Bridgestone Arena on March 12, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 12: Brandon Miller #24 of the Alabama Crimson Tide drives to the basket against Andersson Garcia #11 of the Texas A&M Aggies during the first half in the SEC Basketball Tournament Championship game at Bridgestone Arena on March 12, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Alabama is the champion of the SEC men's basketball tournament for the second time in three years.

The Crimson Tide defeated Texas A&M 82-63 in Sunday's championship game at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. The victors didn't only win a conference tournament crown but likely secured a No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament as well after also taking home the SEC regular-season title.

Brandon Miller notched a double-double of 23 points and 12 rebounds, but he struggled from the field with 5-of-20 shooting and needed some of his teammates to pick up the slack. Jahvon Quinerly (22 points, 4-of-8 from three-point range) and Charles Bediako (12 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks) answered the call.

The balanced effort led to plenty of love on social media:

Alabama wasted no time setting the tone, especially on the defensive side, and held the Aggies to 23 points on 6-of-29 (20.7 percent) shooting in the first half while seizing a double-digit lead.

The Crimson Tide swarmed to open shooters and cut off driving lanes while Bediako swatted everything in sight. Throw in Quinerly finding his stroke from deep and Miller making up for his poor shooting by helping to control the boards and getting to the line, and there was no defeating Nate Oats' team Sunday.

Alabama continued to pull away as the second half progressed, leaving no realistic opening for an Aggies' comeback.

All eyes turn toward the Big Dance after such a statement performance from a candidate to cut down the nets. The Crimson Tide are surely headed toward a No. 1 seed when the bracket is announced Sunday afternoon and will have a chance to reach the Final Four for the first time in program history.

Few teams in the nation could stop them if they play like they did Sunday.