Jeremy Fears Jr. Keeps Starting Role for Michigan State Despite Recent Controversy
EAST LANSING - In a high-stakes Big Ten showdown against No. 6 Illinois, Michigan State is sticking with its floor general. Jeremy Fears Jr., the Spartans’ dynamic point guard, took the floor as a starter on Saturday, Feb. 7, despite a turbulent week that raised questions about his status.
Head coach Tom Izzo had hinted at the possibility of shaking up the starting five after Fears was hit with a technical foul during MSU’s narrow 76-73 loss at Minnesota on Wednesday. The call came after Fears kicked Gophers guard Langston Reynolds in the second half - a moment that drew criticism and sparked debate about discipline and leadership.
Izzo kept his cards close to the vest leading up to tipoff, declining to reveal his starting lineup in pregame radio interviews. But when the lights came on, Fears was right back in his usual spot.
And it’s easy to see why Izzo stuck with him. At 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, Fears has been the engine of this Spartans team.
He leads the squad in scoring at 14.7 points per game and is second in the nation with 9.3 assists. He’s also logging a team-high 30.8 minutes per contest - a testament to just how integral he is to Michigan State’s rhythm and identity on both ends of the floor.
Even in the loss to Minnesota, Fears posted a double-double with 10 points and 11 assists, continuing a torrid stretch that’s earned him back-to-back Big Ten Player of the Week honors. Just last week, he dropped 29 points in a thrilling overtime comeback at Rutgers on Jan. 27, then followed that up by torching No.
2 Michigan for a career-high 31 points in a hard-fought home loss on Jan. 30.
But with the accolades have come scrutiny. After the rivalry loss to Michigan, Wolverines head coach Dusty May publicly accused Fears of playing “dangerously,” pointing to incidents involving tripping and elbows. Then came the groin shot against Minnesota, followed by more video surfacing of similar plays - enough for Izzo to bench Fears for stretches in the second half.
Still, Izzo’s decision to keep Fears in the starting lineup speaks volumes. This isn’t just about talent - it’s about trust, leadership, and the kind of edge that can make or break a season. Fears has started every game for the Spartans over the past two years, and while his aggressive style may toe the line at times, there’s no denying the spark he brings to the floor.
As Michigan State continues its push through a brutal Big Ten schedule, all eyes will be on Fears - not just for his playmaking and scoring, but for how he responds to the spotlight, the criticism, and the responsibility that comes with being the face of one of college basketball’s most storied programs.