Daniel Miller may not have post-up moves like you've never seen. But the Georgia Tech center definitely has moves that you've never seen.
Miller has cultivated a variety of close-to-the-basket maneuvers and shots at Tech’s Zelnak Basketball Center, but has yet to unholster them in competition. Whether, how soon, with what frequency and with what success he does will have significant bearing on the remainder of the Yellow Jackets’ trying season, which continues Sunday evening against No. 7 North Carolina in Chapel Hill.
“He’s got a lot more than what he’s showing right now, that’s for sure,” backup center Nate Hicks said.
Hicks, who described himself as Miller’s practice “whipping boy,” would know. He and the Jackets await the unveiling. Tech coach Brian Gregory longs for Miller to take a greater role in the offense. Miller, a 6-foot-11 sophomore from Loganville, is trying to build the confidence and fearlessness to embrace it.
“His heart’s in the right place,” Gregory said. However, “he can’t worry about missing shots.”
One constant in Tech’s slide as it has gone from 7-4 to 8-12, including losses in its past four games and a 1-5 ACC record, has been opponents harassing Tech’s guards with pressure.
Miller said that Tech’s frontcourt players “do have to do more, whether it’s coming to get the ball or just making a couple baskets so they won’t be all over the guards and they’ll help down on us. It opens up the floor.”
Recognition of the problem is the first step. Miller’s personal solution is the next. Gregory would like for Miller to take between 10 and 15 shots per game. Gregory explained it as four shots and two putbacks out of the offense per half.
Said Gregory, “I’m not the greatest at math, but I think that’s 12 [per game].”
Miller averages 7.1 shots per game with a season high of 12 and 1.8 offensive rebounds per game with a high of seven. His field-goal percentage of 46.5 percent would be ninth in the ACC if he averaged enough makes to qualify for ranking. Part of the shortfall is not getting enough touches. Part of it is hesitation on Miller’s part.
“We’re just trying to keep his confidence up, make him feel good about, ‘Hey, we’re not changing, we’re going to keep getting you the ball,’” Gregory said. “‘We’re better off when you get the ball.’”
Miller relies on two moves in particular. A pump fake triggers his “up-and-under” and his turnaround fall-away jump shot out of the post is practically impossible to block. The fluidity of those shots suggest the work of countless repetitions in the practice gym. They don’t always produce results, however. He has fallen into a slump lately, making six of 15 in the past three games. He has one double-figure scoring game in Tech’s past 10.
“As a sophomore, he’s now able to make those moves,” Gregory said. “What you hope is that as a junior, senior, he’s able to finish those moves.”
He also has a hook shot and can make jump shots to about 15 feet. Earlier this season, his collection of shots was the conduit for 12 consecutive successful attempts over the course of three games, including 5-for-5 against Georgia and 6-for-6 against Savannah State.
“I just went to my moves,” he said. “I had a lot of confidence, and I just did what I’ve been taught to do.”
With Hicks and under the direction of assistant coach Billy Schmidt, Miller has been working on moves to get into defenders to draw contact and fouls. Despite having 260 pounds to throw around in the post, Miller averages 1.4 free throws per game. He said that the thought of missing shots or getting blocked sometimes makes him hesitant to go up strong.
“I don’t want to have my finishing move always be trying to avoid the blocked shot,” he said. “I’ve just got to be able to go through it.”
It bears mention that he is noticeably improved from his freshman season, averaging 7.7 points per game compared with 4.4 last season. He continues to be a valuable presence on defense. He ranks second in the ACC in blocked shots with 2.5 per game.
He’ll have perhaps his toughest assignment of the season Sunday. The Tar Heels’ frontcourt of Tyler Zeller and John Henson is one of the best in the country. If there is an ideal time for Miller to reveal the fruits of his practice work, Sunday might be it.
“I know I can do it,” Miller said. “I just have to do it.”
