Seventh-ranked Alabama men’s basketball takes on fifth-ranked Florida at 6 p.m. CT tonight in Coleman Coliseum. For several Crimson Tide players, this will mark their final game in the arena as the team honors its seniors. The Senior Night ceremony will take place following the game.Among the seniors are guards Mark Sears and Chris Youngblood. Neither player originally committed to Alabama out of high school — Sears joined the Crimson Tide as a transfer from Ohio in 2022, while Youngblood arrived from South Florida this past offseason.
The two guards share another connection — both hail from Alabama. Sears grew up in Muscle Shoals, while Youngblood was born in Tuscaloosa. Having followed the Crimson Tide since childhood, both players have now left their own legacies within the program.
“As a kid who came to my first game here in seventh grade, it would’ve been hard to picture myself playing here and being part of such successful teams,” Sears said during Friday’s press conference. “It’s been amazing.”
In his first season with Alabama in 2022-23, Sears teamed up with future NBA players Brandon Miller and Noah Clowney to help the Crimson Tide earn the NCAA Tournament’s No. 1 overall seed and advance to the Sweet 16. After Miller and Clowney moved on to the NBA, Sears stepped into a leadership role last season and helped guide Alabama to its first-ever Final Four appearance.
Currently, the Crimson Tide is projected to be a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament and sits at No. 7 in the AP Top 25. Although that’s an impressive position with less than two weeks until Selection Sunday, Alabama actually entered the season ranked No. 2 in the country. For Sears, watching the program’s expectations rise throughout his time with the team has been one of his favorite parts of playing for Alabama.
“For me, just watching the fan support and atmosphere grow during my time here has been incredible,” Sears said. “My first year, we had great fans and strong support, but when you compare it to this year, almost every game has been sold out. That’s a huge credit to our fans who come out and show love for us.”
Youngblood made the move from South Florida after earning American Athletic Conference Player of the Year honors. While he was the undeniable centerpiece for the Bulls, he chose to leave for a bigger challenge — competing at a top-tier SEC program. Of course, the opportunity to suit up for your hometown team made the decision even more special.
