Bruce Pearl: Mark Sears is the key to Alabama advancing in the NCAA Tournament

The Alabama men’s basketball team is back in the Sweet 16 in this year’s NCAA Tournament and they’re looking to make a deep run. They’ll have to go up against the top-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels on Thursday night, with a classic matchup of teams from the SEC vs. the ACC. Before the game, Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl said that superstar Mark Sears will be key for the Crimson Tide to advance in the big dance.

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"If Alabama continues to advance in this tournament, it's because of Mark Sears. … He is as good a guard as there is in this Tournament."

—Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl on @AlabamaMBB's Mark Sears pic.twitter.com/mUHR3PS2k1

— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 28, 2024

Sears has been one of the most explosive scorers in the country for the past few seasons. This year for the Crimson Tide, he’s averaged 21.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game.

“You know when I had him in camp. And Jay you can relate to this right? Too little. He wasn’t gonna be good enough. But what makes this tournament so special is, he starts at Ohio. He does a great job at the mid-major level. And he transfers to Alabama. If Alabama continues to advance in this tournament, it’s because of Mark Sears. And that matchup with him and [R.J.] Davis is gonna be you know, something to watch. He can make big shots. He’s an incredible leader. He’s a tough kid. And he’s as good a guard as there is in this tournament,” Pearl said on Thursday evening.

Sears has been electrifying in this year’s NCAA Tournament, demonstrating why he’s one of the most gifted players in America. He erupted for 30 points in the Crimson Tide’s second round win over the College of Charleston. Not only that, Sears chipped in five assists and four rebounds.

He didn’t disappoint against Grand Canyon either, pouring in 26 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, and dishing out six assists in the Tide’s 76-61 win in the Sweet Sixteen.

He delivered a big-time performance in the Tide’s impressive win over the Tar Heels on Thursday evening, stuffing the stat sheet with 18 points, two rebounds, and two assists. Alabama came away with an 89-87 victory, in one of the most entertaining games of the NCAA Tournament thus far.

Alabama advances to their second Elite Eight in program history, and their first one under head coach Nate Oats. No. 6 seed Clemson stands in the way of the first Final Four in Alabama basketball history.