The dust has settled after Michigan State's nail-biting loss to UConn in the Sweet 16. The Spartans were aiming for back-to-back Elite Eight appearances, a feat they hadn't achieved in over a decade. But UConn dashed those hopes, marking the second time in 12 years that they've ended Michigan State's NCAA Tournament run.
Key to this outcome was Jeremy Fears Jr., who had a game he'd probably like to forget. Fears has been a standout all season, but this time, things didn't go his way.
He struggled with turnovers and shooting, going 5-for-15 from the field and tallying 13 points, seven assists, four turnovers, and four fouls. If Fears had hit just a few more shots, Michigan State might have been prepping for a showdown with Duke.
Fears' shooting woes were evident throughout the tournament. He managed only 10-for-34 from the field and 3-for-9 from beyond the arc.
His season averages of 43 percent from the field and 32 percent from three-point range tell a story of potential that just didn't materialize when it mattered most. A slight uptick in these numbers next season could position Michigan State as a national title contender.
Looking ahead, Jeremy Fears Jr. and Coen Carr are pivotal to Michigan State's future success. Coach Izzo's top priority this offseason might be bolstering the roster with a portal center, but developing Fears and Carr's three-point shooting is crucial too. While Fears hit 32 percent from deep this year, Carr showed significant improvement, quadrupling his previous output.
The Spartans need more consistent shooting from their starting lineup to become a formidable force. If they can field a team with multiple three-point threats, they'll be much tougher to defend. This season, they lacked that edge, but with some offseason tweaks, Michigan State could be poised for a deep tournament run next year.