No. 6 Alabama and Mark Sears Look to Stay Hot Against No. 24 Mississippi State

Alabama Riding Sears’ Hot Streak in Critical SEC Showdown

The No. 6 Alabama Crimson Tide (22-5, 11-3 SEC) snapped a two-game skid with a dominant 96-83 win over No. 17 Kentucky on Saturday, thanks to another massive performance from senior guard Mark Sears.

Sears has been unstoppable in recent weeks, putting together back-to-back 30-point performances, including a season-high 35 points in a 110-98 loss to Missouri before dropping 30 against Kentucky.

His resurgence comes after a rocky stretch earlier this season when he was held scoreless twice and even benched for the second half of Alabama’s win over LSU on January 25.

“My teammates found me in the right places, and I was able to put the ball into the basket,” Sears said after the Kentucky game.

Now, he will lead Alabama into a crucial rematch with No. 24 Mississippi State (19-8, 7-7 SEC) on Tuesday night in Tuscaloosa, a team that nearly defeated the Crimson Tide in their first meeting.

Mark Sears’ Turnaround Leading Alabama’s Charge

Sears has completely flipped the script on his season.

Before his benching against LSU, his numbers were inconsistent, and head coach Nate Oats called him out for his lackluster defense. Since then, he has responded with his best stretch of basketball yet.

Mark Sears Before and After January 25 Benchings

“Sears is playing the best basketball I’ve seen him play since he’s been here, on both sides of the ball,” Oats said. “He just wants to win. He came back to try to win a national championship.”

With Alabama aiming for a top seed in the NCAA Tournament, Sears’ leadership and scoring will be crucial as they prepare for a deep postseason run.

Mississippi State Looking for Revenge After First Meeting’s Heartbreak

Mississippi State came close to taking down Alabama in their first matchup on January 29, when freshman guard Josh Hubbard exploded for a career-best 38 points in an 88-84 loss in Starkville.

Hubbard, who recently broke the school record for most consecutive games with a made three-pointer (40 games), hit six threes against Alabama last time and will be a major threat again.

“Josh is the real deal,” Alabama’s Chris Youngblood said. “We have to find a way to slow him down this time.”

But Mississippi State is struggling. The Bulldogs are coming off a 93-87 road loss to Oklahoma, where they allowed 59 second-half points.

Head coach Chris Jans was frustrated with his team’s defensive lapses, which have cost them multiple games in SEC play.

“We couldn’t guard them in the second half,” Jans said. “We switched coverages multiple times, but nothing worked. That’s the bottom line.”

Key Mississippi State Players to Watch

• Josh Hubbard (17.9 PPG, 3.1 APG) – The offensive leader who scored 38 against Alabama last time.
• Tolu Smith (16.2 PPG, 8.6 RPG) – A dominant post presence who could cause problems inside.
• Cameron Matthews (9.4 PPG, 7.2 RPG) – A strong defender who will likely match up with Sears.

Mississippi State is 0-6 against Alabama under Jans and has lost seven straight to the Crimson Tide overall. A win in Tuscaloosa would be a major statement and boost their NCAA Tournament resume.

Every Upset, Every Game!

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What’s at Stake?

For Alabama:

• Extend winning streak to two after recent losses
• Keep pace for a top-two seed in the NCAA Tournament
• Slow down Josh Hubbard after his 38-point performance last time

For Mississippi State:

• Secure a marquee road win to boost NCAA Tournament seeding
• Snap a seven-game losing streak against Alabama
• Fix defensive issues that cost them against Oklahoma

Prediction: Can Alabama Keep Rolling, or Will Mississippi State Pull the Upset?

This is a crucial game for both teams, but Alabama has been dominant at home and is playing its best basketball.

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Three Key Factors That Will Decide the Game

Can Mississippi State fix its defensive breakdowns? They allowed 59 second-half points to Oklahoma, and if they struggle defensively again, Alabama will take advantage.

Can Alabama contain Josh Hubbard? He torched them for 38 points last time, and if he gets hot again, this game could go down to the wire.

Will Mark Sears keep his hot streak alive? If he continues his recent dominance, Alabama should take care of business.