Mark Sears' Absence in 2nd Half Against LSU: A Surprising Move for Alabama Basketball
When Alabama basketball took to the court for the second half of their recent game against LSU, there was a noticeable absence—starting point guard Mark Sears was nowhere to be found. Fans and analysts alike were left wondering why Sears, a key player for the Crimson Tide, was not on the floor during the final 20 minutes of the 80-73 victory. With the game tied at 40-40 going into halftime, the second half proved to be pivotal in securing Alabama's win, but the absence of Sears remained a topic of discussion.
Alabama head coach Nate Oats provided little explanation when asked about the decision to bench Sears. In a brief response, Oats said, “We just played the guys we thought gave us the best chance to win that second half.” Sears finished the game with just 17 minutes of play, all in the first half, and struggled during his time on the court, going 0-for-5 from the field and finishing with a -1 plus/minus. His lack of production raised more questions about why he didn’t return after halftime.
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Oats, however, focused on the positives following the game, highlighting the improved defensive performance of his team in the second half. "We went with the guys in the second half who we thought gave us the best chance to win this game,” Oats said, referring to the players who helped Alabama’s defense become more effective in the second half. While he didn't go into specifics regarding Sears, Oats did praise center Cliff Omoruyi for his strong performance after halftime, earning him the team’s "Hard Hat" award.
The decision to bench Sears is a curious one, given his role as the team's leading scorer with an average of 19 points per game. With Alabama’s next game against Mississippi State approaching, Oats was asked about what he expected from Sears going forward. His response was a simple call for a stronger, more focused effort: "Same response Cliff gave us in the second half,” Oats said. "Be all about doing the stuff we need to win basketball games.”
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Sears’ absence, Alabama's victory over LSU brings their record to 17-3 on the season, and they remain strong contenders in SEC play, with a 6-1 conference record. The Crimson Tide will look to build on this success as they face Mississippi State next, hoping for a more consistent and unified team effort moving forward. As for Mark Sears, fans will likely be watching closely to see if he regains his starting role or if other players step up in his absence.
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