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The Tuscaloosa News
Mark Sears leads Alabama basketball in season-opening rout of UNC-Asheville
- Story byThe Tuscaloosa News
- Mark Sears leads Alabama basketball in season-opening rout of UNC-Asheville
With a No. 2 national ranking in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll , Alabama basketball looked the part in opening the 2024-25 season with a resounding 110-54 win over UNC-Asheville on Monday night at Coleman Coliseum. Star point guard Mark Sears poured in 20 points to lead seven double-figure scorers as the Crimson Tide shot a scorching 38 of 60 from the field. UA opened with a 9-0 lead, extended it to 46-20 late in the first half, and never trailed in the blowout of the visiting Bulldogs. A few observations from the UA win:
Labaron Philon sharp in first game
Freshman guard Labaron Philon was stellar in his college debut. He sparked a 6-0 first-half Alabama run with two field goals, two steals and two free throws, and finished with 10 points and a game-high nine assists. UA coach Nate Oats raved about Philon during the preseason. If he can deliver consistent production in conference play the way he did against UNC-Asheville, Alabama will have a dynamic playmaker at guard to go with Sears, the SEC Preseason Player of the Year.
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Cliff Omoruyi & Co. impressive in the paint
Alabama was a bit short on interior size a year ago during a remarkable run to the Final Four. That won't be the case this season, as newcomers Cliff Omoruyi, Derrion Reid and Aiden Sherrell look primed to give the Crimson Tide a significant inside presence along with returning forwards Grant Nelson, Jarin Stevenson and Mo Dioubate. Alabama dominated the rebounding battle 55-29 and blocked six shots.
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Redshirt decisions
Per Oats, Alabama will redshirt two players this season: freshman forward Naas Cunningham and senior guard Houston Mallette, who transferred in the offseason from Pepperdine. Mallette battled knee injuries in the offseason and will reserve his final year of college eligibility for 2025-26, while Cunningham will take a redshirt to add weight to his 6-foot-7, 175-pound frame.
What's next
Alabama will play host to Arkansas State on Friday at Coleman Coliseum (7 p.m. CT, SEC Network+). UA will welcome back Arkansas State head coach Bryan Hodgson, who was an assistant coach under Alabama's Nate Oats for four years beginning in 2019-20. The Red Wolves return their leading scorer from 2023-24, guard Taryn Todd, who averaged 12.8 points per game last season. Arkansas State opened the the 2024-25 season Monday against Akron.
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Reach Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on X @chasegoodbread.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Sears leads Alabama basketball in season-opening rout of UNC-Asheville
