The Associated Press national player of the week in men's college basketball for Week 16 of the season: Mark Sears, Alabama The senior guard from from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, became only the second player in the last 20 years with back-to-back 30-point games against ranked opponents as the second-ranked Crimson Tide split a pair of games last

Mark Sears of sixth-ranked Alabama is The Associated Press men’s college basketball national player of the week. The senior guard from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, became only the second player in

Sears scored 30-plus points in back-to-back games for the first time in his career to help him be named the SEC Co-Player of the Week on Monday. He shares the title with Tennessee guard Chaz Lanier.

Like Sexton a few years ago, Sears is an excellent college guard. There’s a big difference between Sears and Sexton, though. Sexton’s usage rate on offense held back the evolution of Alabama’s basketball team. Sears is a proven winner, the point guard for one of the best teams in the country and has already taken Alabama to the Final Four.

Mark Sears has been on draft radars as one of the top guards in the nation and is a standout for one of college basketball's top teams, but his recent play may be lifting his draft stock to a new level.

Based on his performances in the Missouri and Kentucky games, Alabama guard Mark Sears has been named the SEC Co-Player of the Week.