“College Gameday”‘s Rece Davis has become something of an icon in Tuscaloosa and is one of the more famous non-athlete alumnus of the University of Alabama.
On an appearance with NextRoundLive, Davis had a take on Mark Sears and what he has accomplished for the Crimson Tide this season that at first glance may raise some eyebrows, but may actually prove to be true:
“I think Mark Sears has had the greatest season by an Alabama Basketball player 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧…
This guy, to me, deserves to have his jersey hung in the rafters and have the number retired. He’s the dude that got them over the hump.”@ReceDavis @AlabamaMBB @imcsears pic.twitter.com/OBnC7nQnZg
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) April 3, 2024
“I think Mark Sears has had the greatest season by an Alabama basketball player, ever. Now I don’t remember the [1955-56] Rocket 8 so many some old timers are gonna say Jerry Harper had a better year but this guy to me deserves to have his jersey put in the rafters, have the number retired, nobody else wears it anymore,” Davis said.
“He’s the dude who got them over the hump and it’s a remarkable thing. There’s something about this sport because there is so much emphasis placed on the tournament. Careers are made and broken on whether you succeed or fail in this one shot deal…There’s a certain validation that comes with making it and with the amount of success that Alabama has had historically and more specifically the elevated success they’ve had with Nate Oats, it’s a validating moment for them to make the Final Four.”
Sears has averaged more than 21 points per game throughout the season, but he has turned it up a notch during the tournament.
Throughout the four wins that took Alabama to its first Final Four, Sears has averaged more than 24 points along with making 45% of his three-point attempts.
As the best player and leader of the first team to take Alabama to where they have never been, Sears is certainly making his case for the best single season in Alabama’s storied program history.
Alabama is two wins away from the first national championship in school history, but it all starts with its toughest task – Connecticut on Saturday night.
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP
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