General

The new role Mark Sears needs to fill for Alabama

Alabama men’s basketball doesn’t need or want Mark Sears to fill the role he did in 2023-24.

Sears doesn’t need to be the player averaging 21.5 points and 33.6 minutes per game for this version of the Crimson Tide to succeed at a high level. And frankly, it’s going to be a challenge for him to do that again, as it already has been. Teams are too aware of him.

“First thing is, he’s got to understand it’s going to be a lot different than any other college year for him because he’s preseason player of the year, people are going to design their defense to stop him,” Alabama coach Nate Oats said. “He may play a game where he has an unbelievably great game and only scores five points but he moves the ball around and attracts so much attention that it makes it easier for his teammates.”

Sears’ role on this new roster has moved to center stage after he scored no points and didn’t play as much in a win over Illinois last week. He played 13 minutes in the first half then eight minutes in the second. Sears finished 0-for-5 and 0-for-4 from deep. Yet No. 8 Alabama won 100-87 at Legacy Arena in the CM Newton Classic.

Alabama got strong play from its other guards: Labaron Philon, Latrell Wrightsell Jr. and Aden Holloway. Philon scored 16 points, grabbed seven rebounds and tallied nine assists. Wrightsell Jr. also scored 16 but had two rebounds and four assists. Then Holloway scored 18 and made 3 of 4 from deep.

Alabama didn’t have that much talent or depth in its backcourt a season ago. Especially when Wrightsell missed time with injuries. So Sears had to be the guy almost all the time and play a bunch of minutes for the Crimson Tide to play at a high level.

Now he doesn’t have to do as much, even though he’s capable.

“I think one, he’s got to quit pressing,” Oats said. “He’s not going to average as many points this year as he did last year. We knew that coming in. People are going to focus on him. We’ve got more talent around him. It just is what it is. He’s got to do it takes to help us win games.”

Sometimes, Oats said, that will be moving the ball and getting assists. Other games, he will be a decoy, attracting attention away so others can get open looks. And then there will be nights where teams let Sears score a bunch and prevent others from having an impact.

“He’s just got to get comfortable with the new role and get comfortable with doing whatever it takes to win and understanding that there’s going to be games he’s just not going to score that many,” Oats said. “We’ve got to do a decent job screening for him to get him open. Give him enough space to get downhill. Keep him playing aggressive without being overly aggressive to where he’s trying to score on multiple opponents. He’s got to stay aggressive and make the right reads when they bring multiple defenders to him.”

Next up, No. 9 Alabama (4-1) will play in the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas, starting with a game against No. 6 Houston on Tuesday (7 p.m. CT, TBS). Then the Crimson Tide will face Rutgers on Wednesday (9 p.m. CT, TBS).

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.

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Trump threatens to impose sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China on first day in office

NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is threatening to impose sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China as soon as he takes office as part of his efforts to crack down on illegal immigration and drugs.

The tariffs, if implemented, could dramatically raise prices on everything from gas to automobiles. The U.S. is the largest importer of goods in the world, with Mexico, China and Canada its top three suppliers, according to the most recent Census data.

Trump made the threats in a pair of posts on his Truth Social site Monday evening in which he railed against an influx of illegal migrants, even though southern border crossings have been hovering at a four-year low.

“On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open Borders,” he wrote, complaining that ”thousands of people are pouring through Mexico and Canada, bringing Crime and Drugs at levels never seen before,” even though violent crime is down from pandemic highs.

He said the new tariffs would remain in place “until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country! ”

Trump also turned his ire to China, saying he has “had many talks with China about the massive amounts of drugs, in particular Fentanyl, being sent into the United States – But to no avail.”

“Until such time as they stop, we will be charging China an additional 10% Tariff, above any additional Tariffs, on all of their many products coming into the United States of America,” he wrote.

It is unclear whether Trump will actually go through with the threats or if he is using them as a negotiating tactic before he takes office in the new year.

Arrests for illegally crossing the border from Mexico have been falling and remained around four-year lows in October, according to the most recent U.S. numbers

The Border Patrol made 56,530 arrests in October, less than one third of the tally from last October.

Much of America’s fentanyl is smuggled from Mexico. Border seizures of the drug rose sharply under President Joe Biden, and U.S. officials tallied about 21,900 pounds (12,247 kilograms) of fentanyl seized in the 2024 government budget year, compared with 2,545 pounds (1,154 kilograms) in 2019, when Trump was president.

Trump’s nominee for treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, if confirmed, would be one of several officials responsible for imposing tariffs on other nations. He has on several occasions said tariffs are a means of negotiation with other countries.

He wrote in a Fox News op-ed last week, before his nomination, that tariffs are “a useful tool for achieving the president’s foreign policy objectives. Whether it is getting allies to spend more on their own defense, opening foreign markets to U.S. exports, securing cooperation on ending illegal immigration and interdicting fentanyl trafficking, or deterring military aggression, tariffs can play a central role.”

If Trump were to move forward with the threatened tariffs, the new taxes would pose an enormous challenge for the economies of Canada and Mexico, in particular.

They would also throw into doubt the reliability of the 2020 trade deal brokered in large part by Trump, which is up for review in 2026.

Spokespeople for Canada’s ambassador to Washington and its deputy prime minister, Chrystia Freeland, who chairs a special Cabinet committee on Canada-U.S. relations to address concerns about another Trump presidency, did not immediately provide comment.

Trump’s promise to launch a mass deportation effort is a top focus for the Cabinet committee, Freeland has said.

A senior Canadian official had said before Trump’s posts that Canadian officials are expecting Trump to issue executive orders on trade and the border as soon as he assumes office. The official was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Mexico’s Foreign Relations Department and Economy Department also had no immediate reaction to Trump’s statements. Normally such weighty issues are handled by the president at her morning press briefings.

___

By Jill Colvin Associated Press

Associated Press writers Adriana Gomez Licon in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Robert Gillies in Toronto, Mark Stevenson in Mexico City, Fatima Hussein and Josh Boak in Washington contributed to this report.

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BetMGM bonus code ALCOM1500 activates $1,500 first-bet for MNF Ravens vs. Chargers

Monday Night Football for Week 12 brings a highly-anticipated matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers. For new users who unlock our BetMGM bonus code ALCOM1500, you earn back up to $1,500 in bonus bets on your first wager for those who deposit $10 or more. For one of the top welcome offers across all major sportsbooks, let’s take a closer look into this one-of-a-kind offer!

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BetMGM bonus code at a glance

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How to use the BetMGM bonus code ALCOM1500 for MNF Ravens vs. Chargers

To take advantage of our BetMGM bonus code ALCOM1500, you will have to consider that you only get your payout if your initial wager misses. As a result, it’s best to place your first bet on lucrative odds to see if you can hit big.

We may not see Derrick Henry take in the first touchdown with the Los Angeles Chargers’ dangerous run defense. But if the Ravens can get close to the end zone, keep an eye out for Mark Andrews (+1200). The tight end has scored in four of the last six games and could be a sneaky choice to pull through on a big-time bet like this.

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Miss Manners: I’m struggling to keep my cool with rude online shoppers

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have an online shop and am able to keep a high rating due to reviews from customers who are, thankfully, very kind. It’s important to keep the highest rating, as that attracts buyers to my shop.

I am also rated by the selling platform in several areas, one of which is how quickly I answer messages. I can usually figure out something kind to say to my customers. However, every once in a while, I get someone who just wants to rant, mostly about the prices of goods in my shop.

I guess these people don’t understand that I have to buy the things I sell, and can only sell them cheaply when I can buy them at a very reasonable price. When that doesn’t happen, some people want to unload their anger on me. I get hateful messages asking who I think I am to ask such outrageous amounts.

I would just ignore them, but to keep my top rating, I have to answer. I want to be polite, but I am sometimes tempted to reply, “No one is forcing you to buy this. If you don’t like the price, you are free to shop elsewhere.”

I would prefer something firm — some of these people want to start a fight and keep fighting.

GENTLE READER: “Do you know other shops that are able to get these items and sell them for less? Because I’d love to ask them how they do it.”

Please send your questions to Miss Manners at missmanners.com, by email to [email protected], or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

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Check out James Spann’s 2024 Iron Bowl weather forecast

Noted Birmingham meteorologist James Spann of ABC 33/40 has released his forecast for Saturday’s Iron Bowl in Tuscaloosa.

Alabama hosts Auburn at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium in the 77th modern Iron Bowl. It appears fans attending the game in person will need to dress warmly.

“The weather will be cold and dry Saturday in Tuscaloosa for this year’s Iron Bowl,” Spann wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “… The sky will be mostly sunny, and temperatures will drop from near 48 at kickoff to near 40 by the final whistle.”

For those unwilling or unable to brave the chilly conditions, Saturday’s Iron Bowl airs live on ABC.

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Memphis knocks of defending national champion UConn in Maui Invitational opener

LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — Tyrese Hunter scored 17 of his 26 points after halftime to lead Memphis to a 99-97 overtime win against two-time defending national champion and second-ranked UConn on Monday in the first round of the Maui Invitational.

Hunter shot 7 of 10 from 3-point range for the Tigers (5-0), who were 12 of 22 from beyond at the arc as a team. PJ Haggerty had 22 points and five assists, Colby Rogers had 19 points and Dain Dainja scored 14.

Tarris Reed Jr. had 22 points and 11 rebounds off the bench for the Huskies (4-1). Alex Karaban had 19 points and six assists, and Jaylin Stewart scored 16.

Memphis led by as many as 13 with about four minutes left in regulation, but UConn chipped away and eventually tied it on Solo Ball’s 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds remaining.

Takeaways

Memphis: The Tigers ranked second nationally in field goal percentage going into the game and shot it at a 54.7% clip.

UConn: The Huskies saw their string of 17 consecutive wins dating back to February come to an end.

Key moment

The teams were tied at 92 with less than a minute remaining in overtime when UConn coach Dan Hurley was assessed a technical foul for his displeasure with an over-the-back call against Liam McNeeley. PJ Carter hit four straight free throws — two for the tech and the other pair for the personal foul — to give Memphis a 96-92 lead with 40.3 seconds to play.

Key stat

UConn had three players foul out. Memphis attempted 40 free throws and made 29 of them.

Up next

Memphis will play the winner of Colorado-Michigan State on Tuesday in the second round of the invitational. UConn will play the loser of that game in the consolation bracket.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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Auburn players look to avenge 2023 Iron Bowl loss: ‘It will always replay through our minds’

The 2023 Iron Bowl was unforgettable.

For the Auburn players, though, it’s a memory that still haunts them. The Tigers lost the game 27-24, capped off by a 31-yard Hail Mary with 32 seconds left in the game.

Many of Auburn’s key players in 2024 were on the field for that game, a memory that can only be erased by revenge on Saturday.

“That moment has been sitting with me for 365 days, so we’re creeping up on the 365th day,” sixth-year senior tight end Luke Deal told reporters Monday. “I think it’s going to fuel us a lot. And guys who experience that pain and experienced that low in our careers and our time here, that’s something that will definitely fuel us so we don’t go out like that again.”

Deal has been a part of more Iron Bowls than anyone else on the roster and is the only player left from Auburn’s last win over Alabama in 2019.

Jeremiah Wright, one of Auburn’s veteran offensive linemen, wasn’t playing in that 2019 game, but took in the scenes as a recruit. Wright described that as one of his best Iron Bowl memories, but 2023 was easily the most heartbreaking.

“It will always replay through our minds,” Wright said. “I still have family that calls me. They called me yesterday and were messing with me like, ‘what are you going to do?’ We’re just going to go back to the drawing board. We block out all of the outside noise.”

Much of the outside noise going into this year’s Iron Bowl is being directed toward Alabama, as the Crimson Tide limp into the game after a 24-3 loss to Oklahoma. Auburn comes in on a polar opposite note, knocking off then No. 15 Texas A&M in four overtimes.

Freshman defensive lineman Malik Blocton had a unique perspective on the 2023 Iron Bowl. He didn’t play in the game, but his brother, Marcus Harris, did.

Blocton was at the game as a recruit and saw firsthand what the loss meant to his brother as he played his last game at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

“It was crazy for me last year, I was at the game, and I see my brother walk off the field with tears in his eyes,” Blocton said. “I just don’t want that to be me on Saturday. That’s not going to be me.”

For Payton Thorne, Auburn’s starting quarterback and one of its leaders, he doesn’t want the team’s focus to be on the past.

“You remember, but you do your best not to dwell on it,” Thorne said. “You don’t want it to impact what we’re doing this week. Keep it in the back of your mind, remember for the right reasons, but don’t let it consume you.

“We’ve got a different team. So do they. And focused on the task at hand and doing everything we can to win the game on Saturday.”

If Auburn were to beat Alabama on Saturday, it would be the program’s first win in Tuscaloosa since 2010 and the first Iron Bowl win at all since 2019.

Peter Rauterkus covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @peter_rauterkus or email him at [email protected]m

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Former Alabama All-American won’t face concealed-weapon charge

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams will not be charged with carrying a concealed weapon in a motor vehicle, the Wayne County (Michigan) Prosecutor’s Office announced on Monday.

The Detroit Police Department had requested a warrant to arrest Williams while conducting an internal review of a traffic stop in October involving the former Alabama All-American.

Police reported they stopped a car driven by Williams’ brother for speeding. The driver disclosed there were two guns in the car – one on the back seat and one under the front-passenger seat, where Williams was sitting.

The gun on the back seat was registered to Williams’ brother, who had a concealed-pistol license for it. The other gun was registered to Williams, who did not have a concealed-pistol license.

Williams was handcuffed and taken into custody for not having a CPL, but he was released at the scene without being transported to the Detroit Detention Center for processing.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy told WXYZ-TV in Detroit that Williams would have been charged if he had the gun in his possession at the time of the traffic stop. Because he didn’t, it raised the question of if the CPL belonging to Williams’ brother applied to both guns in the car when neither was in direct possession of the occupants of the vehicle.

“Because the case law is silent regarding the specific issue,” Worthy said in a statement released by the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, “and the legislative intent of the CPL statute does not support charges under these facts, no charges will issue in this matter, and the warrant is denied.

“While no case has identical facts, we can look at similar facts, if possible, to aid us in our decision-making. We really could not recall any case that had facts that mirrored this case. Every case is fact-specific. As always, we apply the alleged facts to the existing law. And the applicable law and its accompanying legislative history is far from clear.”

A first-round draft pick in 2022, Williams has 29 receptions for 602 yards and four touchdowns and six rushing attempts for 38 yards this season.

With the best record in the NFC at 10-1, the Lions will play the Chicago Bears in their annual Thanksgiving game at 11:30 a.m. CST Thursday at Ford Field in Detroit. CBS will televise the game.

FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.

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Miss Manners: Is it rude to split my holiday party guest list in two?

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Due to the small size of our home, we host two holiday parties each year, essentially splitting one big gathering into two events so that we can see everyone.

We send different invites to separate guest lists. It is always a little uncomfortable when friends talk to each other and wonder why one of them was invited on this day and another on a different day.

Could I send an invitation that lists both parties, and let the guests RSVP as to the one they would like to attend? Of course, that would require guests to respond. Many don’t even send regrets, which is all we currently ask.

I want to let my friends feel open to come to whichever is most convenient for them. Is that tacky?

GENTLE READER: You are asking for a lot of trouble on behalf of people who do not even trouble themselves to answer your invitations.

Even if this new plan prompts them to respond, what if they all want to attend on the same day? Lopsided attendance would defeat your judgment about the best use of your space.

If it were Miss Manners, she would invite only polite people, thus giving only one party. Perhaps a very intimate one. But you presumably want them all, as you have been kindly overlooking the rudeness of ignored invitations year after year.

So here is a kinder suggestion: Scrawl the phrase “‘A’ list,” as if by accident, somewhere on both sets of invitations.

Please send your questions to Miss Manners at missmanners.com, by email to [email protected], or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

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Alabama GOP announces new executive director

Shannon Whitt, the Alabama Republican Party’s director of finance and special events, will be taking over as executive director following the departure of current Alabama GOP Director Reed Phillips.

The party announced the transition on Monday and said that Phillips would be leaving the GOP to “pursue an exciting new opportunity.”

“It has been an incredible honor to serve the Alabama Republican Party and work alongside so many talented and dedicated individuals,” Phillips said.

“I am grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to help grow our Party and for the friendships I’ve built with members of the State Executive Committee and grassroots leaders across the state. I look forward to seeing the Party continue to thrive in the years ahead.”

Phillips, who has been with ALGOP for nearly a decade, first served as political director before being promoted to executive director in 2020, according to the release.

But Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl said he is confident in the party’s future under Whitt.

“Shannon Whitt is an exceptional leader with a proven track record of success,” Wahl said.

“Her abilities have empowered the Alabama Republican Party to compete and succeed on a national level within the Republican Party. I have full confidence that her vision, professionalism, and deep institutional knowledge will continue to propel the Party forward.”

Alabama and national politics

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