Fifth-year guard Mark Sears, a consensus second-team All-America selection last season who led the No. 7 Crimson Tide to their first Final Four appearance, was held scoreless throughout the entirety of the game. He also sat for all but eight minutes in the ...

Mark Sears did not play over the final minutes of Alabama’s game against Illinois in a decision that was his own. Nate Oats spoke about Sears sitting following the 100-87 win for ‘Bama over the Fighting Illini on Wednesday.

Alabama basketball scored 100 against Illinois, and Mark Sears didn't have any of those points. Nate Oats explained why Sears didn't play much in the second half.

could pull out a 100-87 win over a ranked opponent like the No. 20 Fighting Illini with zero points from SEC Preseason Player of the Year Mark Sears. In 21 minutes against Illinois (3-1), Sears was 0-for-5 with one rebound, two assists and a steal ...

Alabama didn’t slow down even with a scoreless night from star Mark Sears. The preseason All-American guard watched from the bench as the eighth-ranked Crimson Tide held off No. 25 Illinois 100-87.

That changes when Illinois travels to Birmingham to face Alabama on Wednesday. In a matchup featuring two of the best offenses in the country, the Tide offer the Illini their first opportunity to prove themselves as a true top-25-level power.

Alabama basketball picked up a huge top 25 win over Illinois despite a bad game from superstar guard Mark Sears.