Why is Mark Sears Disrespected in the National Media on The Joe Gaither Show

The Alabama guard isn't on the national player of the year lists and isn't thought of my most as one of the nation's best players.

Alabama basketball's Saturday decimation of the Texas A&M Aggies marked the 16th game of the year that senior Mark Sears scored 20 or more points in a game as the guard from Muscle Shoals, Ala., once again led the Crimson Tide in scoring with 23 points. 

Sears averages 20.6 points per game, leading not only Alabama but the Southeastern conference, but the former Ohio Bobcat hasn't received any recognition from the national media. 

Despite scoring 20 or more in all but one of Alabama basketball's SEC games and converting and an eye-popping 45 percent from 3-point land, with four assists and four rebounds for the current conference leader Sears was left off the Cousy Award and the Jerry West Award mid-season watch lists.

On Saturday, ESPN's College GameDay did a spin-off segment centered around NBA All Star Weekend where its hosts selected their own all-star teams using collegiate players. Sears wasn't listed in the player pool. 

On College GameDay’s college basketball all-star pool, Mark Sears is not an option.

Only 2 of these 20 players average more points than Sears, who is also leading the No. 1 seed in the SEC. pic.twitter.com/SEBxTYRFin

— Blake Byler (@blakebyler45) February 17, 2024

On the Monday edition of "The Joe Gaither Show on BamaCentral" we discuss the issue and offer suggestions as to why the Crimson Tide guard may be overlooked by the national media despite having a historic season.

Sears currently ranks first in the conference in scoring on a team that was picked in the preseason by the media to finish sixth in the league. Preseason favorites Tennessee and Auburn each have players with star power and next level potential in Dalton Knecht and Johni Broome. 

The Crimson Tide guard doesn't fit the prototypical size profile of a superstar guard and takes a perception hit because of it. He's listed at 6-foot-1, 185-pounds but what the numbers don't say is how he utilizes his body and his pacing to separate from defenders and create open looks for himself and his teammates. 

The program discusses Sears and which NBA All Star his game compares to and if he can win SEC Player of the Year against Knecht and Broome as well as a myriad of other topics. 

Keep up with each show on Youtube, Facebook and Twitter. Shows can also be heard on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Amazon.

Alabama Handles Its Business on The Joe Gaither Show