ESPN’s Jay Bilas defends Alabama’s handling of Brandon Miller situation amid shooting link

As nan Alabama Crimson Tide prepared for nan Arkansas Razorbacks Saturday afternoon successful Tuscaloosa, nan program's determination to let prima freshman Brandon Miller to play was a awesome taxable of debate. 

On Wednesday, Miller was allowed to play against South Carolina 1 time aft constabulary grounds connected him to nan January shooting decease of Jamea Harris. Miller allegedly transported erstwhile teammate Darius Miles’ gun that constabulary opportunity was utilized successful nan killing.

Head coach Nate Oats gives coaching proposal to Brandon Miller (24) of nan Alabama Crimson Tide during a timeout against nan LSU Tigers astatine Coleman Coliseum Jan. 14, 2023, successful Tuscaloosa, Ala.  (Brandon Sumrall/Getty Images)

Many observers person questioned whether Miller should beryllium allowed to suit up fixed those allegations. 

ALABAMA’S NATE OATS DEFENDS PLAYING BRANDON MILLER AMID LINK TO DEADLY SHOOTING: ‘WE’VE DONE THE RIGHT THING’

Saturday greeting during "College Gameday," ESPN assemblage hoops expert Jay Bilas defended Alabama’s handling of nan situation. 

"Brandon Miller has rights, and I judge that Alabama has a work to protect those rights, aliases astatine slightest not discuss those rights," Bilas said. "They cognize him amended than we do. He has cooperated fully, according to his attorney, pinch authorities.

"And, to me, I deliberation Alabama has gone done this process and handled it appropriately. Now, reasonable minds tin disagree pinch that. Maybe 1 schoolhouse mightiness grip this differently, but I person nary quarrel pinch nan measurement Alabama handled it." 

ESPN's Jay Bilas during a crippled betwixt nan North Carolina Tar Heels and nan Michigan Wolverines astatine Spectrum Center Dec. 21, 2022, successful Charlotte, N.C. (Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Miller has not been charged pinch immoderate crime. 

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Miller’s attorney, Jim Standridge, released a connection hours earlier tipoff against South Carolina clarifying that nan freshman standout "never saw nan handgun" belonging to Miles, who has since been charged pinch superior execution successful nan shooting decease of Harris adjacent nan university’s field successful January.

"On January 14th, Brandon played successful a basketball game successful nan day and later was asked by Darius Miles for a thrust to nan Strip area to spell to a nightclub," nan connection said, according to nan Tuscaloosa Patch. 

Gregory Jackson II (23) of nan South Carolina Gamecocks defends Brandon Miller (24) of nan Alabama Crimson Tide arsenic he drives to nan handbasket during a crippled Feb. 22, 2023, astatine Colonial Life Arena successful Columbia, S.C.  (David Jensen/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

"Mr. Miles brought his ineligible handgun and near it successful nan backseat of Brandon’s vehicle. Brandon ne'er saw nan handgun nor handled it. Further, it is our knowing that nan limb was concealed nether immoderate clothing successful nan backmost spot of his car." 

The connection added that alternatively of going into nan nightclub, Miller went to get food. He was later contacted by Miles to prime him up and spell to a different location. While he was already connected his way, Miller received a matter from Miles asking him "to bring him his firearm."

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Miller’s lawyer claimed Miller ne'er "interacted pinch anyone successful Ms. Harris’ party" aliases Michael Lynn Davis, who is besides charged pinch superior murder. The lawyer besides disputed a declare that Miller’s conveyance blocked nan way of nan car successful which Harris was a rider astatine nan clip of nan shooting. 

Following Bilas' comments Saturday, Dan Dakich of OutKick took to Twitter to disagree pinch nan ESPN analyst. 

On Friday, Alabama caput coach Nate Oats said he believes nan assemblage has done nan correct point by allowing Miller to play. 

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Brandon Miller listens to caput coach Nate Oats of nan Alabama Crimson Tide during a timeout during a crippled against nan South Carolina Gamecocks Feb. 22, 2023, astatine Colonial Life Arena successful Columbia, S.C. (David Jensen/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

"We've been taking it very earnestly from time one. The first infinitesimal that I sewage nan information, I called [athletic director] Greg [Byrne], and we talked astir it and nan severity of it," Oats said astatine a news conference. "Greg, I thought, did a awesome occupation addressing those comments connected Wednesday, and I really don't person overmuch to adhd to it.

"We consciousness for illustration we've done nan correct point successful this case. So I'm going to time off it astatine that pinch Greg's comments."

Fox News’ Paulina Dedaj and Ryan Morik person contributed to this report