Alabama coach Nate Oats sent a message with the benching of star Mark Sears. Here's what Oats said of his decision to bench Sears vs. LSU:

After his second-half benching against LSU, Mark Sears was back in Alabama basketball’s starting lineup at Mississippi State on Wednesday. The lineups were posted shortly before tip in Starkville. The move to return Sears to the court came after Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats said Tuesday that the Muscle Shoals native had an excellent few practices before the game.