© Gary Cosby Jr. / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Alabama basketball team picked up another conference win on Saturday with an 80-73 victory over LSU. That game was a dogfight throughout before the Crimson Tide were able to pull away late.
Senior guard Mark Sears was notably absent from the floor for much of the second half. The surprise benching shocked many, leading to questions in the postgame.
Head coach Nate Oats responded to inquiries surrounding his strategy after the halftime break. He said he put the players on the court that gave his team the best chance to win. That plan worked as the Crimson Tide were able to break a 40-40 tie with a strong performance over the final 20 minutes.
“We went with the guys in the second half that I thought gave us the best chance to win this game.” – Nate Oats on the defensive adjustments made at halftime in Alabama’s win over LSU, which included Mark Sears sitting on the bench pic.twitter.com/XbnHRVKFpU
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) January 26, 2025
Oats didn’t mention Sears by name, but most believed this to be a direct response to his decision to sideline the veteran. The guard is the team’s leading scorer and assist man. His absence was head scratching.
Then again, he had maybe his worst first half of the season, shooting 0-of-5 from the field and failing to score a point. He also committed two turnovers.
Mark Sears was seen being consoled throughout the second half by Alabama assistant coaches. The scene raised immediate questions.
Here is Alabama Assistant Preston Murphy consoling Mark Sears as he sits out the 2nd Half.
“We went with the guys in the second half that we thought gave us the best chance to win this game” – Nate Oats pic.twitter.com/hr4eqJYCF3— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) January 26, 2025
Was he injured? Was he being punished? Many began to speculate that he’d upset his head coach in some way, shape, or form. His mom chimed in on social media to support her son.
“In the face of a humiliating environment,” the post read, “I’m grateful… Enough is enough! May Mark’s character and hard work shine through, proving his worth.”
Mark Sears’ Mom is expressing her thoughts after her son didn’t play in the 2nd Half of Alabama’s win over LSU.
When asked about Mark Sears after the game, Nate Oats spoke about the team as a whole “We went with the guys in the second half that I thought gave us the best chance… pic.twitter.com/OP6aqz1SrS— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) January 26, 2025
She then responded to a number of commenters to back him further. “I don’t think he played badly,” she said to one follower. “He just was denied the chance to finish! Period!”
“Our son witnessed pure neglect,” she said to another. She also shut down any whispers of injury.
At this point, there are more questions than answers. Nate Oats refused to comment on the situation directly. Mark Sears’ mom tried to set the record straight. We’ll see if this is an issue that lingers into the Crimson Tide’s next game.