Mark Sears made more Alabama basketball history in the Tide's win over Robert Morris

Regardless of how things end for Alabama basketball in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, Mark Sears has already cemented himself as one of the all-time greats in program history. He writ his name in forever crimson flame last year as the driving force behind the Crimson Tide's run to the Final Four, the first in program history.

While he won't win the National Player of the Year award, of which he was the preseason favorite, he still became just the second 1st team All-American in program history, joining former teammate Brandon Miller.

Sears has helped Alabama reach unprecedented success in his three years in Tuscaloosa. He was on the team two years ago that won the SEC regular season and tournament titles and entered the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 overall seed, the first 1-seed in program history. Last year he spearheaded Alabama's miraculous run to the Final Four.

This year, he helped the Crimson Tide to a 2-seed in the NCAA Tournament and hit one of the most famous buzzer beaters in Crimson Tide history when his free throw line floater found the bottom of the Neville Arena net.

Now, following Alabama's 90-81 win over Robert Morris in the 1st Round of the NCAA Tournament, Sears has now won more March Madness games than any player in Crimson Tide history:

The win over Robert Morris was Sears' 7th NCAA Tournament run in his illustrious Tide career. He's now 7-2 in March Madness games with the Crimson Tide.

Does Mark Sears have one more magical run in him?

Whenever Alabama loses again, Sears' career in Tuscaloosa will be over. He has stamped his place in history, but fans, and Sears himself, are hoping for one more magical ride.

Alabama will face 7-seeded Saint Mary's in the 2nd Round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday. A win would push them into the Sweet 16 for the third straight year. It would be just the second time in program history the Crimson Tide made it to the second weekend of the Big Dance for three consecutive seasons. Wimp Sanderson's teams did it from 1985-1987.

Sears had a quiet first half against Robert Morris, scoring just three points. But in a tight game, Sears quietly took over and scored 19 second half points on his way to a double-double of 22 points and 10 assists in the Crimson Tide's nine-point win.

Alabama needs the best version of Sears in order to have a shot at another deep March Madness run. They'll need the best version of him just to get out of the first weekend, too.