Jeremy Fears Jr. Remains in Starting Lineup for Michigan State Amid Controversy
EAST LANSING - Despite swirling controversy and a week filled with scrutiny, Michigan State is sticking with its floor general.
Jeremy Fears Jr., the Spartans’ dynamic third-year sophomore point guard, was announced in the starting lineup just minutes before tipoff in Saturday’s highly anticipated matchup against No. 6 Illinois. That decision came after head coach Tom Izzo openly acknowledged he was considering benching the 6-foot-2 playmaker following a heated incident in Wednesday’s loss at Minnesota.
In that game - a tight 76-73 defeat on the road - Fears was hit with a technical foul for kicking Minnesota’s Langston Reynolds during the second half. The moment added fuel to an already growing fire around Fears’ on-court conduct, and Izzo made it clear he was weighing potential consequences.
But when the lights came on at the Breslin Center, Fears was right where he’s been for the better part of two seasons - running the show from the opening tip.
And make no mistake, Fears has been the engine of this Michigan State offense. He leads the team in scoring at 14.7 points per game and ranks second nationally with 9.3 assists, showcasing a rare blend of scoring ability and elite distribution. He’s also logging a team-high 30.8 minutes per game, a testament to both his endurance and his importance to Izzo’s system.
His recent performances have only reinforced that value. Fears dropped 10 points and dished out 11 assists against the Gophers, just days after earning back-to-back Big Ten Player of the Week honors.
That run included a 29-point explosion in an overtime comeback win at Rutgers on Jan. 27, followed by a career-best 31 points in a tough home loss to No. 2 Michigan on Jan.
But as his star has risen, so has the scrutiny.
Following the loss to Michigan, Wolverines head coach Dusty May accused Fears of “dangerous” play, citing trips and elbows during the rivalry clash. Then came the groin shot against Minnesota - and more video clips surfaced showing Fears appearing to trip and elbow Gopher players, leading to a second-half benching.
It’s been a turbulent stretch for the young point guard, who has started every game for Michigan State over the past two seasons. And yet, when it came time for the Spartans to face one of their toughest tests of the season, Izzo made his decision clear: Fears was still his guy.
The message? Talent matters, but trust matters more. And for now, Izzo is trusting Jeremy Fears Jr. to lead this team - even as the spotlight grows brighter and the noise gets louder.