Mark Sears has picked up his pace. (Chris Gillespie)
This week, the Connecticut Huskies lost star freshman Liam McNeeley for at least two weeks to a high-ankle sprain; Koby Brea went berserk off the bench to help the Kentucky Wildcats hand Florida its first loss of the season; and Bryce James – LeBron’s youngest son – has committed to Arizona for next season. Some other college basketball stories we’re tracking…
Mark Sears Stepping Up
After winning a school record 31 games in 2022-23, the Alabama Crimson Tide took a bit of a step back last season with just 25 wins. It was still good enough for a fourth straight NCAA tourney appearance and its first ever trip to the Final Four.
But this team looks hungry for more this year, off to a 12-2 start including a convincing win over 12th ranked Oklahoma in the opener of SEC play. However you assess Alabama, we’re looking at a top five team right now.
In Saturday’s dominant 28-point win, no one was more overpowering than senior guard Mark Sears, who enjoyed his first double-double of the season (22 points, 10 assists) while posting his first turnover-free game of the campaign.
He’s really picked up his offensive game recently, scoring 20 or more in five of the last six games, and while he didn’t shoot well Saturday, he’s been a lot better in that regard lately after a poor start.
Sears was superb in 2023-24, so coming back for another season hasn’t gone as well as expected yet. Through his college career, he’s been highly productive despite a smaller frame and lack of athleticism, but will need to pick up the pace down the stretch and in the tourney to ensure he remains a second-round candidate in the 2025 NBA Draft.
We’ve heard Sears compared to Frank Mason III, a point guard who carved out a four-year NBA career as a backup between 2017 and 2021. Sears definitely has some skills and plays a physical game for his size, but how that 6’1, 185-pound frame will fare against pro players remains an open question.
Kam Jones Expands his Game
Another program that set a school record in wins two seasons ago (29) but took a slight step back last season (27) is the Marquette Golden Eagles. And just like the Crimson Tide, the Golden Eagles have turned things around in a big way so far this season.
Thanks to a four-game win streak since Big East play began, Marquette has moved to 13-2 and a share of first place in the conference.
The Golden Eagles are led senior guard Kam Jones, among the top candidates for the Wooden Award (currently +800 as per FanDuel).
In Friday’s win over Creighton, he started slowly (0-for-7 with zero points in the first 17 and a half minutes) yet still managed 22 points and nine boards, just missing his second straight double-double.
Jones has been a full-time starter for the last three seasons, showing improvement every year. This season, he’s significantly improved his rebounding and work as an offensive facilitator, so is not longer seen as a one-trick pony who only brings offense to the game.
Jones has potential as a backup guard in the NBA and while some believe he can be a first round pick, we see him more likely going somewhat early in the second round (probably just inside the top 40).
RotoRob Tune of the Day
Depeche Mode’s original lineup consisted of Dave Gahan, Martin Gore, Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke, but only the first two remain. Here’s the fourth single off Violator, “World in My Eyes,” which reached as high as No. 2 in Denmark.