Brandon Miller Named SEC Freshman of the Week for Fifth Time
Brandon Miller has put together one of the best starts to a collegiate basketball in program history, regardless of age or experience.
The 20 year-old freshman won SEC Freshman for the fifth time on Monday for his performances against No. 15 Arkansas and LSU. Miller averaged 22.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists against the divisional rivals.
Of the 11 weeks the award has been given, an Alabama player has won seven of the nine times. In addition to Miller's five, fellow star freshman Noah Clowney has earned the recognition twice.
Alabama has the second most difficult schedule according to college basketball athletics company Kenpom. Miller was scrutinized for performances in big games earlier this year against Michigan State, UCONN, and Houston.
Bud Walton Arena was sold out Wednesday night, with 20,000 people in attendance to see two top 15 teams square off. Defensive maestro Davonte Davis prevented Miller from attempting a shot in the first half, keeping the Razorbacks in the game.
Early on in the second half, Miller made his first field goal of the game. Miller didn't make another field goal until the four minute mark, where Clowney and Miller made three consecutive threes to extend Alabama's two point lead to 11.
Miller won the hard hat for making the most blue collar plays on the team against Arkansas, further disproving the notion that Miller couldn't perform in big games.
With LSU in town, Miller wasn't going to get off to a slow start again. Alabama led the Tigers 59-22 at halftime, with Miller totaling the same amount of points on his own as the entire LSU team. He finished the game with 31 points and nine rebounds in only 24 minutes played, going 7-11 from three in the 106-66 win.