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Mark Sears drops perfect description for Alabama athletics in football vs. basketball debate
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Mark Sears understands the deep football heritage that resides in Tuscaloosa, and he had a great answer ready when asked about the current status of Alabama football vs. Alabama basketball.
Ahead of the Elite Eight, Sears was asked if he felt the Crimson Tide basketball program was now on level footing with the status of the football program. Alabama just wrapped up its 3rd straight Sweet 16 appearance and is playing at a shot for back-to-back Final Four trips after its first-ever Final Four last year.
Sears denied that there is a comparison to be made between the two programs, but he also did not call Alabama a football school. Instead, the veteran guard described Alabama as “a championship school” regardless of the sport, though the 18 titles in football are hard to compete with.
“No, I’d say we’re a championship school. Football, they’ve got 18 National Championships, and we’re still trying to reach our first one. So it’s no comparison there,” admitted Sears.
Teammate Labaron Philon followed and similarly admitted the football team has established a long-running “foundation program.” However, Philon also predicted Nate Oats will one day go down in history for what he’s accomplishing on the basketball court.
“I feel like our side of it is definitely, like, there. But football-wise, like Mark said, those guys have built a great foundation program. But Coach, he’s getting there,” explained Philon. “By the time it’s all said and done, he’s going to be one of the greatest.”
Alabama is safely through into the Elite Eight, but the Tide are still not given a great shot to win it all in the latest March Madness odds. The Tide are just +1200 to win the title per ESPN Bet with Duke (+170) and Florida (+275) the leaders in that regard.
Alabama has a great shot to shake things up in Saturday’s showdown vs. Duke. Tip-off for that game is set for 8:49 pm ET on TBS and truTV.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
