Nate Oats raises significant injury concern for star forward

Brandon Miller Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Alabama HC raises significant injury concern regarding star forward

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated 3/17/23

Alabama head coach Nate Oats appears genuinely concerned that star forward Brandon Miller might not be able to play in the team’s second-round game against Maryland on Saturday.

Miller is dealing with a groin injury and was held scoreless while playing just 19 minutes in the Crimson Tide’s first-round win over Texas A&M Corpus Christi. Oats suggested Friday that there is no guarantee that Miller will be ready to play, noting that Alabama is prepared to turn to the team’s depth if necessary.

Oats on Miller: "I think he's smart enough to know if he can go or not and help us. 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. …" https://t.co/LNqGthsHSJ

— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) March 17, 2023

“I think he’s smart enough to know if he can go or not and help us,” Oats said of Miller, via Mike Rodak of al.com. “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.”

Oats does not appear to be projecting a lot of confidence about Miller’s availability. The hope for Alabama might be that they can survive Maryland without much of a contribution from Miller, and he can then use the week off to try and get healthy for the Sweet 16.

Miller has been embroiled in controversy recently regarding his alleged role in a fatal shooting in January. The forward has not been charged with a crime, but the situation has clearly impacted the program recently.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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