The Michigan-Michigan State rivalry has never been short on intensity, but Friday night in East Lansing added a new layer to the storied feud - and not for the reasons fans usually celebrate. Michigan left the Breslin Center with a gritty win, but the postgame headlines have centered less on the scoreboard and more on the actions of Spartans freshman guard Jeremy Fears Jr.
Fears was involved in multiple controversial moments throughout the game, drawing sharp criticism from Michigan head coach Dusty May. The most glaring incident came in the first half, when Fears extended his leg in what looked like an intentional attempt to trip Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg on a closeout.
Not long after, he delivered a shove to Lendeborg’s back while the Wolverine was airborne on a fast-break layup - a play that was ruled a flagrant foul. Later, Fears pushed Michigan guard L.J.
Cason in the back during another heated moment.
These weren’t isolated plays, either. Fears seemed to be in the middle of several physical exchanges throughout the night, toeing - and possibly crossing - the line between aggressive and reckless.
After reviewing the film, Coach May didn’t mince words in his Monday press conference.
“I think there were several plays that are very dangerous,” May said. “I’m incredibly proud of our guys for the response they had to some of those situations.
I’m incredibly proud of their self-control, restraint and impulse-control … they weren’t isolated incidents. The film is there, 40 minutes of it.
It’s not hard to find.”
May’s tone made it clear: this wasn’t just about physical basketball. From his perspective, these were plays that put players at risk - and his praise for his team’s composure spoke volumes about how heated things got on the floor.
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo, never one to shy away from defending his players, responded later that day. His stance? This was a rivalry game - and physicality comes with the territory.
“No insult to you, I don’t care what Dusty says, I don’t care what they say,” Izzo said. “There were some things Jeremy did, I addressed on it.
Him and (Michigan’s) point guard (Elliot Cadeau) were going at it pretty good, that’s what happens in games like this. If anybody did anything dirty, tell him to call me and I’d be more than happy to address it.
If it was physical play, that’s the way that game’s always going to be.”
Izzo acknowledged that some of Fears’ actions warranted attention - and said he addressed them - but ultimately framed it as part of the emotional, high-stakes environment that comes with in-state battles like this one.
Still, the tape doesn’t lie. The tripping attempt, the flagrant foul, and the shoves all point to a night where emotions may have gotten the best of a young player still adjusting to the spotlight of Big Ten basketball. Whether the conference office decides to step in with a warning or disciplinary action remains to be seen, but one thing’s certain: this rivalry just got a lot more personal.
Circle the date - the rematch in March is going to be must-watch basketball. And with tensions already at a boil, don’t be surprised if both teams come out with something to prove.