Michigan State got a scare when Jeremy Fears Jr. came down awkwardly on a UConn player while trying to finish a layup through contact. The play had all the makings of a real problem: Fears appeared to stretch his leg awkwardly, hit the floor in frustration, and look toward the bench for help. He got to his feet slowly, walked off with a noticeable limp, and for a moment it looked like the Spartans might be staring at the worst possible outcome.
That worry didn’t last long. Fears returned to the game shortly afterward and looked normal once he was back on the floor.
He kept moving well, ran the floor without issue, and finished the night without any further trouble. After the game, Tom Izzo didn’t have much to offer on Tuesday, but he gave a more encouraging read on Thursday, which points away from anything long term.
Both Izzo and Fears said after practice that they expect him to play Sunday at Marquette. Izzo stopped short of guaranteeing it, but that’s clearly the way he’s leaning. Still, he made it clear he won’t push things if the trainers think there’s a chance the issue could linger.
If Fears can’t go, Michigan State would be forced to lean on true freshman Carlos Medlock Jr. Izzo has pointed to Jordan Scott as a possible emergency point guard as well, but the cleanest backup option would be Medlock.
That would create a real opportunity for the freshman against what could be an NCAA Tournament-level opponent. Medlock was uneven in the opener, making just one of his seven pass attempts, but he still logged seven in only 10 minutes.
His game is different from Fears’ in one key way: Medlock is more willing to go get his own shot, and that could matter for an offense that can get too tentative in the halfcourt. Michigan State needs more players willing to attack the lane, and Scott is starting to show some of that same edge too.
If Fears sits, Medlock could be looking at 30 to 35 minutes at point guard with no real third option behind him. That’s not the ideal setup, but it would at least be a chance for him to grow fast. It would also be better to sort it out now than later in March.
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Michigan State's Early Surge Has One Freshman Driving Real Buzz
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The Spartans enter the week ranked No. 2 in both the USCHO and USA Hockey polls, and the buzz around the roster is only growing as Adam Nightingale keeps stacking wins. The head coach is two victories away from 100 career wins at Michigan State, and with a freshman already earning weekly league recognition, the early signs suggest the Spartans have plenty more headlines coming. [Read more 🡒]