Mark Sears injury update: Critical update emerges on Alabama guards final status vs. Kentucky

For the first time this season, Alabama finds itself with a two-game losing streak. Auburn and Missouri were able to take them down and Saturday does not get much easier. Kentucky rolls into Coleman Coliseum with some momentum and heading in, the health of both teams’ guards is a story.

Luckily for Alabama, the news is positive regarding Mark Sears. He is off the injury report and will play against Kentucky. Sears was on there Friday night and was listed as probable. Not the most concerning injury report inclusion but still one to monitor at the time.

But there is nothing to worry about. Sears, one of the best scorers in college basketball, is set to be out there in Alabama’s latest ranked matchup.

There are three other injuries for the Crimson Tide, though. Two have been long-term issues in Latrell Wrightsell and Houston Mallette. Both of them are out for the year and hoping to return for the 2025-2026 season.

Derrion Reid will not play either. Coming back from a hamstring against Auburn, Reid was quickly shut down once again. Nate Oats says another MRI was conducted and for now, Reid’s exact timeline is not yet known. The goal might be to get the true freshman healthy in time for the postseason as Alabama attempts to make a deep NCAA Tournament run.

ESPN’s Jay Williams ‘concerned’ about Alabama after losses

After two losses in a row, some worry is starting to creep in regarding the Alabama Crimson Tide and their impressive 2024-25 campaign.

While the Crimson Tide are still 21-5 and one of the best teams in all of the nation, Jay Williams of ESPN thinks Alabama needs to get it together. They’re a title contender, but they’ve proven to be vulnerable at some inopportune times this season.

“I personally, I think I’m a little bit worried about Alabama,” Williams said, via Saturday’s edition of ESPN’s College GameDay. I know the way last year finished, and how they got to the Final Four, but I think, you know, as you become more successful individuals, with NIL deals and attention, I think that attention can affect the team, and how they’re moving forward.

“Look, I got a chance to watch practice. Nate Oats talked a lot about, ‘Hey, last year when GameDay came here, we lost, and then we went on the road and we lost again, and we have to have a sense of urgency.’ I know Mizzou is a really good basketball team, but it was that sense of urgency that I was looking for in that game.

“Now, they could bounce back, but I think ultimately it comes down to, how do they compete? And defensively, you know, do they find the right matchups in the NCAA Tournament? But it is something I’m worried about for Alabama.”

On3’s Stephen Samra contributed to this report