Connect with us

Alabama

Milwaukee Bucks set to sign Alabama guard Mark Sears to two-way contract

Published

on

Milwaukee Bucks set to sign Alabama guard Mark Sears to two-way contract


play

The Milwaukee Bucks had one open two-way contract available to use on a prospect and ESPN reported they plan to sign undrafted guard Mark Sears following the conclusion of the NBA Draft on June 26. Sears acknowledged that report on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, with the praying hands emoticon. Bucks assistant general manager Milt Newton would not confirm that transaction, but said Sears worked out for the Bucks in the pre-draft process.

“He’s a hell of a guard,” Newton said. “Really strong. Can defend. There has been a lot of guys that weren’t drafted that were definitely draftable, he happens to be one of them. So now, the chore for us is to try to find that player that we can get on those two-ways and those other avenues that allows us to have those players in our program. It’s up to us now to try to identify those guys.”

Advertisement

The 23-year-old was measured at 5 feet, 10 inches tall without shoes at the combine and was listed at 6-1 on his college rosters. He played two years at Ohio University before transferring to the University of Alabama and playing three seasons for the Crimson Tide from 2022-25. He shot 37.5% from behind the three-point line over his college career, but did make 40% of his threes in 2021-22 with Ohio and 43% with Alabama in 2023-24.

He was one of the best shooters in the NBA combine drills, making 25 of 27 “3-point side” shots and 26 of 30 off the dribble.

When asked if a smaller guard can find a place in the NBA if he has an elite shooting touch, Newton said, “Oh, definitely. If you can shoot the ball, I mean shooting is always in high demand.

“But I would say for smaller guards you have to do what you have to do to stand out. So for a smaller guard, like if you defend 94 feet and make it tough for the opposing point guard, or the opposing guard, the opposing team to run their offense, that’s something that’s in high demand as well. To me, whatever your size is, you have to utilize that to the best of your ability and when you do that teams will notice.”

Advertisement

Sears played point guard but is primarily a scorer, as he averaged 21.5 points per game two seasons ago and 18.6 points per game last year when he was named an All-American. He did average a career-high 5.1 assists per game last year as well, 3.9 for his college career.

NBA teams are allowed to sign 3 two-way players (contracts that allow players to split their time between the NBA club and their G League team). The Bucks currently have guard Jamaree Bouyea and forward Pete Nance on two-way contracts for next season.

Bucks guards Ryan Rollins and AJ Green are recent examples of players originally signed two-way contracts that earned fully guaranteed deals.



Source link

Advertisement

Alabama

Aviator Nation dropped new Alabama, Texas + Tennessee collections

Published

on

Aviator Nation dropped new Alabama, Texas + Tennessee collections


College football is racing towards conference championships, bowl season and the College Football Playoffs. It was a tough week for two of the top contenders: Alabama and Texas who both suffered losses and took hits in the USA Today Coaches Poll. But fans can still show their support with the latest drop from Aviator Nation at Fanatics.

Aviator Nation is a 1970’s inspired California lifestyle brand created by Paige Mycoskie. It’s a combination of your favorite college brands with California beach vibes. The latest launches include collections for none other than SEC powerhouses Alabama, Tennessee and Texas.

Here’s a look at the latest Aviator Nation collection at Fanatics:

Shop Aviator Nation at Fanatics

Advertisement

Shop Alabama, Tennessee + Texas gear from Aviator Nation

Rep your favorites in the SEC championship race with these latest collections from Aviator Nation:

Support the Tennessee Volunteers with this Aviator Nation collection

Get more 90s vibes with this Texas Longhorns x Aviator Nation collection

Roll Tide with this Alabama x Aviator Nation collection



Source link

Continue Reading

Alabama

Oklahoma’s PFF Grades, Snap Counts for the Sooners’ Big Win Against Alabama

Published

on

Oklahoma’s PFF Grades, Snap Counts for the Sooners’ Big Win Against Alabama


It wasn’t pretty, but the Oklahoma Sooners found themselves in a multiple-round boxing match with the Alabama Crimson Tide — not a beauty pageant.

As is always the story with the 2025 Sooners, the defense led the effort. Eli Bowen, who had perhaps the play of the game with an 87-yard pick-six in the first quarter, was graded out the third highest on defense with a 75 on 52 snaps per Pro Football Focus.

The fact that Bowen was the third-highest rated Sooner is a testament to how well the defense played

Defensive Back Reggie Powers III led the day with an 80.8 overall grade on 33 snaps. His coverage ability shined through with 79.7 rating — the highest on the team.

Advertisement
Reggie Powers III, Oklahoma Sooners

Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Reggie Powers III / David Leong-Imagn Images

Kip Lewis continued his stellar play with a phenomnial game harassing Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson. Lewis’ seven tackles and two sacks led the team, while his PFF score landed at 78.7 on 47 snaps.

Here are the snap counts and PFF grades for the Sooners’ defense:

Remember the part about it not being pretty?

The Sooner offense did what it needed to do — play clean football. They didn’t turn the ball over and kept John Mateer (54 snaps with a 64.8 overall grade) upright.

The star of the offense is the line. For the second game in a row, the Sooners rolled out three freshmen, two true and one redshirt, and won their fair share of battles. Senior Febechi Nwaiwu led the unit with a 64.3 overall grade on all 54 offensive snaps.

Advertisement
John Mateer, Oklahoma Sooners

John Mateer / Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images

Isaiah Sategna III started his day off with an explosive punt return to get the Sooners in the red zone, but was held in check for the most part. He finished with a 48.5 overall grade on 47 snaps.

Here are the snap counts and overall grades for the Sooner offense:



Source link

Continue Reading

Alabama

What channel is OU football vs Alabama on today? Time, TV schedule to watch SEC game

Published

on

What channel is OU football vs Alabama on today? Time, TV schedule to watch SEC game


play

Oklahoma football looks to make a statement on Saturday, Nov. 15, when it travels to face No. 4 Alabama (No. 4 CFP) in Week 12.

The No. 10 Sooners (No. 11 CFP) return from an off week looking to make a push for the College Football Playoff with three games left this season against Alabama, Missouri and LSU. It won’t be easy, of course, as the Crimson Tide are on an eight-game win streak and will benefit from what should be a raucous crowd at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Advertisement

Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer looked more like himself in the second half of the Sooners’ road win over Tennessee in Week 10, passing for 104 of his 150 yards in the final two quarters of the 33-27 win. He also ran for a season-high 80 yards with a score.

Opposing Mateer is Heisman Trophy candidate Ty Simpson, one of the best quarterbacks in college football this season. Simpson has 2,461 passing yards with 21 touchdowns to only an interception in his first season as Alabama’s starter.

Here’s how to watch Oklahoma vs. Alabama in one of Week 12’s top matchups.

Watch Oklahoma football vs. Alabama live with Fubo (free trial)

Advertisement

What TV channel is Oklahoma vs Alabama on today?

Oklahoma-Alabama will air live on ABC, with streaming options on the ESPN app (with a TV provider login) or Fubo, which offers a free trial.

Oklahoma vs Alabama time today

  • Time: 2:30 p.m. CT
  • Date: Saturday, Nov. 15
  • Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium (Tuscaloosa, Alabama)

Sooners-Crimson Tide is set for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff on Saturday, Nov. 15, from Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Oklahoma vs Alabama predictions, picks, odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Wednesday, Nov. 12.

  • Spread: Alabama (-6)
  • Over/under: 45.5
  • Moneyline: Alabama -225 | Oklahoma +185

Prediction: Alabama 23, Oklahoma 20

Sooners keep it close, but Ty Simpson and the Crimson Tide are ultimately just a bit more efficient than John Mateer and Co.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending