Mark Sears Named SEC Player of the Week

Alabama men's basketball guard Mark Sears was recognized by the Southeastern Conference for his efforts against Auburn and LSU.

Alabama men's basketball guard Mark Sears was named the SEC Player of the Week on Monday for his performances against then-No. 8 Auburn and LSU.

In these two games, the 6-foot-1 senior averaged 21.5 points, 6.5 assists, four rebounds and two steals. He tallied 22 points, eight assists and five rebounds in the upset 79-75 win over Auburn. Sears logged 21 points and five assists in the dominant 109-88 victory over LSU on Saturday.

These were Sears' 10th and 11th 20-point games of the season. He ranks 27th in the country in points per game with 20.0, which is also No. 2 in the SEC.

Sears has played a pivotal role in the Crimson Tide's 6-1 start to SEC play. Alabama entered the conference side of the schedule with an underwhelming 8-5 record. They've gained more and more recognition by AP Poll voters throughout their stellar switch into SEC play, but had only received votes on the outside of the prestigious top 25.

However, on Monday, the push that Sears and company made against Auburn and LSU landed the No. 24 spot in the Week 13 poll. It's the Tide's first appearance in the top 25 since Nov. 27.

Sears and the Tide are aiming to continue their hot start in SEC play for the rest of the regular season, as the annual March Madness tournament will be here before we know it.

Alabama's 2022-23 season ended far too soon as the world-renowned tournament's No. 1 overall seed fell to San Diego State in the Sweet 16. The Week 13 SEC Player of the Week is striving to lead Alabama past that even if they're not No. 1. But then again, there's plenty of games he's looking at before then.

Alabama Basketball Returns to AP Top 25 After Eight-Week Absence