Mark Sears was benched over the weekend against LSU, but he bounced back nicely against Mississippi State.

For multiple years now, the Alabama basketball program has been lauded for NBA-style offense which sets up players to develop into professional players. Under Nate Oats, a growing number of players have successfully made the leap.

Nate Oats still hasn't locked in Alabama basketball's starting five for Mississippi State. Will Mark Sears be in it after getting benched against LSU?

Vanderbilt's roster construction and Morez Johnson's rapidlly-improving defense among trends Isaac Trotter is tracking.

The conversation kicks off by acknowledging Alabama's 80-73 win over LSU. The Crimson Tide were surprised on the glass and out rebounded by the Tigers, which kept the visitors in the game. Alabama turned up the second half defense and made sure the game went in their favor. How important was it to protect home court?

Alabama coach Nate Oats sent a message with the benching of star Mark Sears. Here's what Oats said of his decision to bench Sears vs. LSU:

Just days after reaching the 2,500 point milestone, Alabama guard Mark Sears was benched in the 2nd half against LSU

Alabama guard Mark Sears is getting family support on social media after spending the entire second half of the Crimson Tide's 80-73 win against LSU on the bench. His mom took to Facebook with two different posts.

Nate Oats and Mark Sears cleared the air after practice Tuesday in the aftermath of Sears' benching last Saturday against LSU.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— Amidst the No. 4 Alabama men's basketball team breaking away from a 40-40 halftime tie to defeat LSU on Saturday night, something was visibly missing. Or, more accurately, someone. And that someone wasn't just anyone.

No. 4 Alabama pulled away from LSU on Saturday night in the second half for an 80-73 win without the services of the SEC's leading scorer entering the weekend, Mark Sears, who logged zero minutes over the game's second half after leading the team with 17 first-half minutes.