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Tony's takes: Alabama needs more from Mark Sears but maybe fewer shots

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Tony's takes: Alabama needs more from Mark Sears but maybe fewer shots


Nate Oats doesn’t mince words when it comes to Mark Sears. The head coach isn’t shy to criticize his point guard, or even bench him when the time calls for it.

Don’t take that the wrong way. Oats loves Sears. He needs him, too. That’s likely why he’s been so vocal about his star’s struggles lately.

If Alabama is going to make another Final Four run this season, Sears will once again need to be the one leading the way. The Crimson Tide has one of the deepest rosters in the nation, but none of its other guards can match the Muscle Shoals native’s ability to take over games.

And generally speaking, as Sears goes, so does the Tide. Just take a look at the numbers.

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In Alabama’s four losses this season, Sears is averaging just 13.75 points per game while shooting a combined 14 of 54 (25.9%) from the floor and 5 of 32 (15.6%) from beyond the arc. In the Tide’s 21 wins, he’s averaging 20.3 points while shooting 42.6% from the floor and 39.1% from 3.

Saturday night was one of those bad outings, as Sears struggled during No. 2 Alabama’s 94-85 defeat to No. 1 Auburn on Saturday night. The graduate guard scored a team-high 18 points for the Tide but did so on an inefficient 4 of 17 clip, including a dismal 2 of 11 from deep.

He also recorded just two assists, often choosing to charge recklessly into the lane instead of looking for better options. That led to him going 2 of 6 on layup attempts. It also contributed to a poor shooting night for his teammates, who too often had to settle for contested shots as Alabama went 5 of 26 from beyond the arc.

After alluding to Alabama’s lack of distribution during the opening statement of his post-game press conference, Oats didn’t hold back when asked about Sears’ struggles in the lane.

“Not good,” Oats said. “He shot 4-for-17. Obviously, he’s a competitor. He wants to win at a high level. He’s been able to impact winning for most of his career by scoring the ball. We had him 2-for-6 at the rim, 2-for-11 from 3. Those are typically the efficient shots you get.”

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“I thought maybe a couple of them – I thought he got fouled on one, but refs aren’t gonna be perfect, and we sure weren’t perfect as coaches or players. There’s probably some missed reads in there, I’ve got to go back and look at them. It wasn’t one of his better shooting nights.”

Oats isn’t worried about shooting percentages. The former math teacher knows the law of averages will even out and Sears will rediscover his hot hand sooner than later. Alabama’s problem is getting its star to adjust when he’s having an off night.

As Oats said, no one is perfect. Saturday won’t be the last time Sears and the Tide go cold from the floor this season. If Alabama wants to take home its first national title in a couple of months, chances are it will need to withstand a night like that during the six games it will take to cut down the nets in San Antonio.

When that inevitably happens, Oats and Alabama are going to need Sears to change his style.

“We’ve gotta be able to play hard even when shots aren’t going well,” Oats said. “I think that’s a sign of high-character guys. How hard do you play when shots aren’t dropping? Can you keep moving the ball? Maybe sometimes he needs to get 10 assists.”

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Along with his 3-point touch, Sears’ ability to bowl past defenders while drawing fouls in the lane makes him deadly with the ball in his hand. But lately the 6-foot-1, 190-pound guard has been a bit too reliant on whistles going his way.

Sears’ tendency to run down blind alleys resulted in him turning the ball over a combined 19 times during a three-game stretch against Mississippi State, Georgia and Arkansas. He’s handled the ball better in his last two outings, committing three turnovers against Texas and just two during Saturday’s loss to Auburn.

However, as it did this past fall, Alabama needs its quarterback to do a better job of scanning his options before dropping his head and charging forward. And Sears has already proven he can be a capable pocket passer.

Sears leads Alabama and ranks third in the SEC averaging 4.9 assists per game. He’s also shown that his distribution skills can overcome poor shooting nights.

Sears tallied a career-high 11 assists against Oklahoma on a night where he shot just 1 of 6 from beyond the arc. He had seven assists at North Carolina when he shot 2 of 7 from deep and nine assists at Kentucky when he was 4 of 12 from 3. Alabama won each of those games, averaging 101 points across them.

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Following its loss to Auburn, Alabama (20-4, 10-2) will finish out its regular-season schedule against six straight ranked opponents. Four of those sit inside Ken Pomeroy’s top 15 in terms of defensive efficiency, including to-ranked Tennessee (87.3 points allowed per 100 possessions), No. 6 Texas A&M (91.9), No. 9 Florida (93.5) and No. 14 Auburn (94.4.)

Alabama will need Sears to put on his cape if it wants to make it through that gauntlet run, but that might not always involve the Tide’s hero putting the ball in the net himself.

In the spirit of sharing, this is a good time to mention the Sunday Fun Days from our friends at Sessions Cocktails. Alabama fans might not be in the brightest spirits following Saturday’s IBOB loss, but that’s nothing an oversized espresso martini can’t fix.

If you’re still in Tuscaloosa and need a pick-me-up, grab a few friends and take on Session’s Espresso Mar-titan. The giant cocktail is just like a regular espresso martini but made for more people. Pass one around the table, but make sure to drown your sorrows responsibly.

Cheers!

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(Commercial break: My drink of the week section is now sponsored by my friends at Session Cocktails in Tuscaloosa. Session has been a mainstay in Tuscaloosa’s cocktail scene since 2019 and offers some of the tastiest drinks in town. Stop by and tell them I said hi!)

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Contact Andy Luedecke anytime at:

andy@myperfectfranchise.net

(404) 973-9901

www.myperfectfranchise.net



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Detroit Lions meet with Alabama star OL at NFL combine

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Detroit Lions meet with Alabama star OL at NFL combine


As the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine nears its conclusion, the Detroit Lions continue to work to identify potential fits for the franchise.

The Lions own pick No. 17 in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft. Though Taylor Decker recently announced his return for the 2026 season, Detroit could still be thinking offensive line in the draft’s opening round.

If the Lions opt to fortify their offensive line, one name to watch for Detroit is Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor. A Lions scout pulled Proctor aside to talk at the East-West Shrine Bowl in January.

Now, Proctor confirmed to Crunch Time Sports that he met with the Lions at the NFL combine.

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Proctor started 40 games across his Crimson Tide career, missing just the first two games of the 2024 season with injury.

The 6-foot-7, 366-pound lineman was Alabama’s highest-graded player last season with an overall offensive grade of 85.9, per Pro Football Focus. Proctor had a pass-blocking grade of 84.2, a run blocking grade of 81.1 and allowed just two sacks during the 2025 college football season.

For more Lions coverage, follow us on X, @TheLionsWire, and give our Facebook page a likeFollow Josh on X, @JoshOnLions



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Alabama lawmakers react to U.S. early morning military strike on Iran

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Alabama lawmakers react to U.S. early morning military strike on Iran


Alabama lawmakers are weighing in with their opinion after Donald Trump announced that the United States conducted a military strike on Iran overnight.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey responded to a video from the White House X account announcing that we’ve taken military action.

“Strong leadership requires hard decisions,” Ivey posted to X. “This is exactly how we will achieve peace through strength. As @POTUS said, our Armed Forces WILL prevail. May God continue to bless the brave men and women in our military! And may God bless President Trump and our great country.”

Congressman Robert Aderholt said in his own statement that he stands with Trump’s decision. The statement released earlier today, Saturday, Feb. 8, encouraged Trump for taking military action.

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“For five decades, Iran has openly called for ‘death to America,’” Aderholt wrote. “I remember clearly when they orchestrated the deaths of 241 U.S. Marines in Beirut in 1983. In the years since, the regime has continued pursuing nuclear capabilities that threaten the United States and our allies. I stand with President Trump has he leads these strikes. May God bless the members of our armed forces carrying out these operations”

In addition to being the Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, Aderholt is also a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall echoed similar sentiment to Aderholt. He cites the same quote.

“For 47 years the vicious Iranian regime has chanted ‘death to America,’” Marshall wrote. “It’s time for swift and decisive action. May God bless the men and women of the Armed Forces. May God bless America.”

Senator Katie Boyd Britt says she echoes Trump’s message from earlier this morning.

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“Iran is the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism,” Britt said on X. “For 47 years, this murderous regime has operated a terror network that has brought death and destruction to the world and slaughtered innocent Americans. Iran’s nuclear ambitions, ballistic missile capabilities, and funding of proxy terror groups pose a sustained and clear threat to our nation, to our military bases and citizens in the region, and to our allies. This is a defining moment of generational leadership from President Trump to achieve sustainable peace. We are praying for the safety of our men and women in uniform and I echo @POTUS’s message this morning: God bless and protect all of our heroes in harm’s way executing this mission.”

Coach and Senator Tommy Tubberville tweeted, “President Trump has shown time and time again, you NEVER threaten America. God bless our great troops, god bless President Trump, and God bless America.”

U.S. Representative for 1st Congressional District of Alabama Barry Moore responded in a Facebook post.

“May God bless our men and women in uniform,” Moore posted. “Please join me in praying for strength, wisdom, and safety for President Donald J. Trump and all of those keeping our nation safe.”

United States Congresswoman Terri Sewell representing Alabama’s 7th District offered one of the few dissenting opinions from local lawmakers and politicians. Although she acknowledges Iran’s history, Sewell expresses her concern for the lives of U.S. citizens now that peace talks have been abandoned.

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“Iran has oppressed their people and supported terrorism in the region for decades,” Sewell said in an official statement. “This fact does not change the President’s obligation under the Constitution to work with Congress on military actions that put our troops in harm’s way and could drag our country into another prolonged war in the Middle East.”

Sewell goes on to say that she’ll work with Congress to arrange a vote on a war powers resolution.

“I am also calling on the Administration to immediately provide a briefing on this ongoing military action, including their justification for abandoning diplomatic talks, as as their strategy for avoiding an extended regional conflict that is not supported by the American people,” Sewell continued. “I am praying for all the service members in the region and their families.”



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How to watch Tennessee Volunteers: Live stream info, TV channel, game time | Feb. 28

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How to watch Tennessee Volunteers: Live stream info, TV channel, game time | Feb. 28


Labaron Philon’s No. 18 Alabama Crimson Tide (21-7, 11-4 SEC) hit the road to match up with Ja’Kobi Gillespie and the No. 22 Tennessee Volunteers (20-8, 10-5 SEC) at Thompson-Boling Arena on Saturday, Feb. 28. The game starts at 6 p.m. ET.

We have more details below, including how to watch this matchup on ESPN.

Prepare for this matchup with everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s college hoops action.

Tennessee vs. Alabama: How to watch on TV or live stream

  • Game day: Saturday, February 28, 2026
  • Game time: 6 p.m. ET
  • Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
  • Arena: Thompson-Boling Arena
  • TV Channel: ESPN
  • Live stream: Fubo – Watch NOW (Regional restrictions may apply)

Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

Watch college basketball on Fubo!

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Tennessee vs. Alabama stats and trends

  • Tennessee ranks 78th in the nation with 80.5 points per game so far this year. At the other end, it ranks 62nd with 69.1 points allowed per contest.
  • The Volunteers are thriving when it comes to rebounding, as they rank third-best in college basketball in boards (39.9 per game) and second-best in rebounds allowed (25.9 per contest).
  • So far this season, Tennessee ranks 30th in college basketball in assists, averaging 17.1 per game.
  • With 11.8 turnovers per game, the Volunteers are 257th in the country. They force 10.7 turnovers per contest, which ranks 224th in college basketball.
  • This season, Tennessee is making 6.9 threes per game (271st-ranked in college basketball) and is shooting 34.7% (139th-ranked) from three-point land.
  • With a 30.2% three-point percentage allowed this season, the Volunteers are 22nd-best in the country. They rank 182nd in college basketball by giving up 7.8 three-pointers per contest.
  • Tennessee has taken 67.3% two-pointers and 32.7% three-pointers this year. Of the team’s buckets, 75.8% are two-pointers and 24.2% are three-pointers.

Tennessee vs. Alabama Odds and Spread

  • Spread Favorite: Volunteers (-4.5)
  • Moneyline: Tennessee (-222), Alabama (+179)
  • Total: 164.5 points

NCAA Basketball odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Saturday at 4:11 a.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.

Watch college basketball on Fubo!

Follow the latest college sports coverage at College Sports Wire.



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