After Tuesday’s practice, Alabama head coach Nate Oats had a productive discussion with senior guard Mark Sears, reinforcing what is expected of him moving forward. This conversation came on the heels of last Saturday’s game against LSU, where despite the game being closely contested, Sears, the SEC’s second-leading scorer, did not play at all in the second half. Nevertheless, Alabama secured an 80-73 victory with Sears logging 0 points in just 17 minutes.
Oats expressed his pride in Sears during an interview with Next Round Live, emphasizing that Sears, at 22 years old, is a mature player who understands the expectations. Oats reassured Sears of his importance to the team and the collective desire for him to perform at his best.
The decision to bench Sears was a strategic move by Oats, who believed that other players gave the team the best chance to win that particular game. This decision was surprising given Sears’ significant contributions to Alabama’s success, including helping the team reach the Sweet 16 in 2023 and leading them to their first Final Four appearance last season.
Oats, while reflecting on the win over LSU, stated that he chose the players for the second half whom he believed would secure the victory, and it paid off. This decision underscores Oats’ commitment to making tactical choices that benefit the team’s success.
With everything now smoothed over between Oats and Sears, Alabama, ranked 4th, is gearing up to face No. 14 Mississippi State on Wednesday night. The game is set to tip off at 9 p.m. ET on SEC Network. This renewed understanding and alignment between coach and player are expected to bolster Alabama’s performance as they continue their season.
