Lameka Sears said in a social media post that she respects Alabama basketball's coaching staff, but disagreed with her son's benching vs. LSU.

What to make of Nate Oats sitting his best player Saturday on The Joe Gaither Show | Episode 360: Jan. 27, 2025.

Mark Sears' mother, Lameka, cleared the air after sending Alabama basketball fans in a spiral with comments made on social media following LSU.

Alabama head coach Nate Oats stunned viewers around the nation when he benched star guard Mark Sears in the second half against LSU. Without Sears, Alabama outscored the Tigers 40-33 in the second half and ultimately won 80-73.

Alabama head coach Nate Oats made the shocking decision to bench star guard Mark Sears in the second half against LSU. Alabama ultimately outscored the Tigers 40-33 in the second half, leading to an 80-73 victory but fans couldn’t help but questions Oats’ decision.

When Alabama basketball came out for the second half of Saturday’s win over LSU, regular starting point guard Mark Sears wasn’t on the floor. The Muscle Shoals native did not appear in the entire second half, during which the Crimson Tide pulled off a 80-73 victory after the game was tied at 40 entering halftime.

As of Monday night, the team has a 17-3 record are sitting at No. 4 in the AP Top 25. With that being said, Oats still made a drastic decision in the team’s last game on Saturday. The coach opted to bench star guard Mark Sears for the 2nd half of the game against LSU.

Alabama basketball star guard Mark Sears was benched in the second half of the Crimson Tide's win over LSU. Here's what coach Nate Oats said about it.

Mark Sears' mother, Lameka, thanked NFL legend Emmitt Smith for his message to her son after getting benched as Alabama basketball faced 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.

During a recent game against LSU, Coach Oats' made the decision to not play Mark Sears the entire second half of the game in which the Crimson Tide won 80-73.

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.