By Larry Vaught

Reeves, Sears Meet in Game That Could Decide SEC Player of the Year

Posted: February 24, 2024
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Two of the Southeastern Conference’s best players will have a chance to make a case for why they should be SEC Player of the Year this afternoon when Kentucky hosts conference leader Alabama.

Alabama point guard Mark Sears is the only Division I player that has 530 points, 110 rebounds, 105 assists and 60 3-pointers this season. He is also one of just six players nationally — and the only guard — scoring at least 20 points per game while shooting 50 percent from the field

Sears has had 16 games this season with 20 or points, the most for any Alabama player since Collin Sexton in 2017-18 (16 games). He leads the SEC in scoring average at 20.4 per game, is fifth in field goal percentage (50.8) and sixth in assists (4.1 per game).

Sears is also approaching 2,000 career points as he has 1,885 points going into today’s game.

Kentucky counters with Antonio Reeves who has scored in double figures in all but one game this season and has 14 games with 20 or more points.

He is shooting a conference-best 44.4 percent from 3-point range, the third best mark nationally in Division I. He has at least one 3-pointer in all but one game this season and just went over the 1,000-point mark in less than two seasons at Kentucky. He has over 2,000 career points counting his time at Illinois State and is one three active players — and 10 all-time — to score 1,000 points at two different schools.

Reeves is the only Power 5 player in the country averaging at least 1.5 made 3-pointers per game and shooting at least 49 percent from the field, 40 percent from 3 and 86 percent at the foul line.

Reeves is averaging 20.6 points per game in league play — and 19.7 per game overall — while Sears is scoring 21.5 per game in SEC play.

Both guards could have huge games today since both teams have had trouble stopping opponents. However, the one that can possibly have a big game and lead his team to a win certainly will enhance an already impressive SEC player of the year resume.