MSU’s Fears at a Crossroads as Spartans Look to Regroup Against Illinois
Michigan State guard Jeremy Fears Jr. has never shied away from contact - in fact, he’s built much of his game around it. Whether it’s drawing fouls, slicing into the lane, or dishing out assists with surgical precision, Fears plays with an edge. But over the past week, that edge has started to cut both ways.
In MSU’s recent loss to Michigan, video surfaced of Fears tripping Wolverines forward Yaxel Lendeborg - a clip that quickly made the rounds online. Just days later, in a tough loss to Minnesota, Fears was hit with a technical foul after a backward leg kick caught Gophers guard Langston Reynolds below the belt. It was a moment of frustration, and one that didn’t go unnoticed.
“He’s a competitor, that’s who he is,” Minnesota head coach Niko Medved said after the game. “He gets a little carried away.
There’s a time you can’t do what he did, and I guarantee you he knows that. But he’s a great player.”
That’s been the paradox of Jeremy Fears this season: his fire is what makes him special, but it’s also something he needs to harness better. His aggressive style - particularly his knack for drawing contact - has been a cornerstone of his game. Fears ranks fifth in the Big Ten with a 61% free-throw rate, a stat that tells you everything about how often he’s attacking the rim and forcing defenders to make a decision.
But recently, teams have started adjusting. Defenders are staying grounded, officials are less generous with the whistle, and Fears’ attempts to sell contact are starting to backfire. Against Minnesota, he not only picked up that technical foul but also drew a delay of game penalty during MSU’s late comeback push - a sequence that underscored how his emotional play can sometimes derail his team’s momentum.
Tom Izzo, never one to sugarcoat things, acknowledged the need for growth.
“You can create your own philosophy on whether it’s right, wrong, or indifferent, but I promise you this is not nearly what it was made out to be in the first place,” Izzo said. “Does he have to learn how to compete without competing that aggressively? Yeah.”
Izzo also made it clear: this isn’t about intent to harm - it’s about learning how to channel intensity the right way. He compared Fears to former Spartan Draymond Green, a player whose physicality and passion have defined his career. And like Green, Fears is learning that leadership on the court comes with a spotlight - and a microscope.
“I did not like the backward kick,” Izzo said. “I think for the time I was with him, he understands what’s going on.”
There’s no denying what Fears brings to the table. He’s tied for the national lead in assists at 8.9 per game and is averaging 17.4 points in conference play.
He’s not just running the offense - he is the offense. He’s already posted four career-high scoring games this season, including a 31-point gem against Michigan.
That performance wasn’t just a breakout - it was a statement.
And that’s why Izzo continues to back his point guard.
“Does he have to grow up? 100%,” Izzo said.
“Did he have to grow up last year? 100%.
But if I look at what he’s done, how far he’s come and what he’s been through, there’s a lot worse that I’ve been through than that.”
Now, Fears and the Spartans face one of their toughest tests yet: a red-hot Illinois team that leads the nation in offensive efficiency, pouring in 130 points per 100 possessions. The Fighting Illini average over 80 points per game and dominate the glass - a problem area for MSU, who are one of just eight Power Four teams being out-rebounded this season.
The size disparity is real. Illinois rolls out a rotation where every player is at least 6-foot-6, and six of them stand 6-foot-9 or taller. MSU counters with Jaxon Kohler (6-foot-10) and Carson Cooper (6-foot-11), but beyond that, the Spartans will have to rely on grit and execution to keep up in the paint.
Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. Saturday at the Breslin Center, with Jason Bennett and Steve Smith on the call for Fox.
“I think Illinois is the best team in the league,” Izzo said. “There’s no doubt Michigan, Nebraska, I still think Purdue are all very, very good teams, but Illinois brings something completely different to the table.”
For Michigan State, this game is about more than just snapping a losing streak. It’s about identity.
It’s about leadership. And for Jeremy Fears Jr., it’s another chance to show that his passion can drive this team forward - not hold it back.