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Myron Medcalf
Multiple Authors
Following the second consecutive game in which his standout point guard faced allegations of unsportsmanlike conduct, Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo publicly criticized him.
Izzo remarked that Jeremy Fears Jr., who is currently second in the nation with an average of 8.8 assists per game, “needs to mature a bit” after being assessed a pivotal technical foul in the latter half of the No. 10 Spartans’ 76-73 upset loss to Minnesota on Wednesday.
Izzo indicated that Fears’ behavior may influence his playing time moving forward.
“I’m not even certain I’ll start him in the next game,” Izzo stated after the defeat, which saw Michigan State slip to fourth in the Big Ten standings.
During the second half of Wednesday’s match, Minnesota guard Langston Reynolds was called for a foul after he and Fears tangled. Following a request for review from Minnesota head coach Niko Medved, Fears was slapped with a technical foul when replay confirmed that his foot made contact with Reynolds’ groin during the altercation.
Izzo opted to bench Fears after the technical foul was issued.
At that point, Michigan State was trailing by five, but Minnesota subsequently expanded its lead to 12 within 90 seconds, ultimately handing the Spartans their second consecutive loss.
“Those are crucial moments,” Izzo remarked regarding the events that unfolded after Fears’ technical foul.
In Michigan State’s defeat against rival Michigan in East Lansing on Friday, Michigan coach Dusty May claimed there was “40 minutes” of video evidence showing Fears crossing the line after allegedly attempting to trip star Yaxel Lendeborg during the game, labeling Fears’ actions as both deliberate and “dangerous.”
Post-game, Izzo expressed indifference to May’s comments, stating, “I don’t care,” and invited the Michigan staff to “call me” if they wanted to discuss any related plays. He also accused the Wolverines of engaging in questionable practices.
On Wednesday, addressing May’s remarks, Izzo suggested that the fallout from Friday’s game was managed “poorly,” indicating that May’s statements may have encouraged rival players to “provoke” Fears. yet, he also acknowledged that Fears was responsible for the scrutiny he faced.
“When someone makes public statements about a player, that sometimes leads to consequences, but that’s Jeremy’s responsibility,” Izzo commented. “I made it clear to the officials. I spoke to them. I didn’t witness the incident firsthand. I saw him get pushed and his leg go up, and I didn’t believe he hit anyone, but if he did, then that’s on him. If he didn’t, I would question it. Are they trying to bait him? Absolutely. And that’s his doing.”
