Alabama players are brutally advised by Mark Sears to "adjust" as the Crimson Tide attempts to rally against North Carolina.
Alabama Crimson Tide: Mark Sears Needs to Step Up in a New Role This Season
The Alabama Crimson Tide is looking for a revamped version of Mark Sears this year. Coming into the 2024-25 season as the SEC Preseason Player of the Year, Sears remains the dynamic player who carried the team last year when they faced roster challenges. However, this season’s Alabama team has greater depth and versatility, making it a different landscape for the star guard.
While the team has embraced a balanced approach, allowing every player to fulfill their role, one former pro believes that Sears shouldn’t fade into the background. On The Field of 68: After Dark, Randolph Childress expressed his expectations for Sears to take on a more aggressive style of play.
Childress described Sears as “tentative” so far, suggesting Alabama coach Nate Oats’ strategy of spreading opportunities across the roster might be holding him back. “I’d like to see him get downhill, stay aggressive, and force others to adjust to him,” Childress said.
According to Childress, Alabama’s attempt to share playing time and responsibilities is admirable but shouldn’t come at the cost of minimizing Sears’ impact. “He’s the guy you want delivering in critical moments, and that’s not a switch you can just turn on and off,” Childress added.
Sears’ performance this season has reflected the shift. In Alabama’s recent matchup against Illinois, he went scoreless and was seen practicing his shooting late into the night after the game. For a player who averaged 21.5 points and 33.6 minutes per game last season, this kind of output is unexpected. Childress believes Sears must rediscover his aggressive form to propel the team forward, especially with crucial games on the horizon, including a trip to North Carolina.
Coach Nate Oats Has a Different Perspective
While Childress pushes for Sears to take charge, Alabama head coach Nate Oats has taken a contrasting stance. Oats acknowledges the attention Sears commands after his standout 2023-24 season and is urging him to adjust his mindset.
“I think he’s pressing too much,” Oats told reporters. “He’s not going to average as many points this year as he did last year. We knew that coming in. Teams are going to focus on him. But we’ve got more talent around him, and he needs to do whatever it takes to help us win.”
Oats emphasized the importance of Sears staying aggressive but within limits. “He has to play assertively but avoid forcing plays against multiple defenders,” Oats added.
For Sears, this season is about finding a balance between his natural scoring instincts and contributing to a team-first strategy. Whether that means stepping back or stepping up in key moments, the motto for Alabama remains clear: do whatever it takes to win.
As the Crimson Tide prepares for tougher challenges, including a showdown with North Carolina, all eyes will be on how Mark Sears adapts. Whether he reclaims his dominant form or embraces a new role, his ability to impact games will likely shape Alabama’s season and their hopes of capturing an NCAA championship.
