Boopie Miller Extends SMU March Madness Legacy from Cousin Sterling Brown

DAYTON, Ohio — Boopie Miller led SMU back to the NCAA Tournament in his second and final season on the Hilltop. He averaged 19.2 points and 6.4 assists per game. His performance ended a nine-year March Madness drought for the Mustangs.

Miller’s impact this season

Miller arrived on SMU’s campus two seasons ago. He was seen as a cornerstone player Andy Enfield could build a program around. The senior point guard became the team’s primary scorer and playmaker.

Numbers that mattered

Miller posted 19.2 points per game. He also averaged 6.4 assists per contest. Those figures helped return SMU to the national stage.

Family legacy at SMU

That return ties into a family history at the school. Miller’s cousin, Sterling Brown, played at SMU from 2013 to 2017. Brown’s tenure included the Mustangs’ only other NCAA appearances this century, in 2015 and 2017.

Sterling Brown’s college résumé

In his senior season of 2016-17, Brown averaged 13.4 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists. SMU earned a 6-seed in the 2017 NCAA Tournament. The Mustangs then fell in the first round to Andy Enfield’s USC Trojans.

From Hilltop to the NBA

Brown was selected in the second round of the 2017 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. He later appeared for Milwaukee, Houston, Dallas and Los Angeles. His pro path provided a recruiting connection for Miller.

Mentor and motivator

Miller said Brown helped shape his decision to join SMU. The veteran cousin offered advice and encouragement. That mentorship helped Miller settle quickly into a leadership role.

Goals moving forward

Miller now seeks the one achievement Brown did not reach at SMU. He hopes to lead the Mustangs to an NCAA Tournament victory. The program and its fans will watch closely during March Madness.

For additional coverage and analysis, visit Filmogaz.com.