NCAA Basketball: Top 10 takeaways from first week of 2022 offseason

6. Alabama lands Ohio transfer Mark Sears

One of the biggest breakout stars in NCAA Basketball this season was Mark Sears, who went from playing behind Jason Preston at Ohio to becoming the next great Bobcat guard in his own right. The 6’1 playmaker averaged 19.7 ppg, 6.0 rpg, and 4.1 apg on 41% three-point shooting and nearly 80% from the charity stripe.

The All-MAC guard put up big numbers on a consistent basis, scoring 8+ points in each game, including a season-high 37 points against Abilene Christian in the CBI Tournament. There was the 33-point effort against USC Upstate, as well as 28 versus Kent State. Sears had numerous games of at least five rebounds and five assists as well and was very efficient too.

The former Ohio guard didn’t last in the portal long, as he was always linked to Alabama. Sears hails from Muscle Shoals, just a couple of hours from Tuscaloosa. He’s able to come back home and play for one of the best teams in NCAA Basketball and an offense under Nate Oats that’ll allow him to continue putting up big stats.

The Crimson Tide’s backcourt is going to look a lot different next season. Jahvon Quinerly is entering age 24 and is expected to go, while starting two-guard Jaden Shakelford has announced his intentions to enter the NBA Draft. That leaves freshman JD Davison, who is a projected 1st-round pick in some mocks.

Sears will now be the starting point guard for Alabama to start next season, alongside five-star recruit Jaden Bradley. As long as the transfer can translate his offense to the SEC level, the Crimson Tide will be a consensus top-15 team to start the 2022-23 campaign.