Last night's loss to unranked Minnesota was bad enough for Michigan State, but head coach Tom Izzo has a lot more to worry about with his star player.
Jeremy Fears, who drew attention last week for "very dangerous" plays against Michigan, was given a technical foul for kicking Minnesota G Langston Reynolds in the groin — and was caught several other times making dirty plays.
Michigan State's Jeremy Fears Jr. was given a technical foul on this play. pic.twitter.com/q03PMlmOzl
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) February 5, 2026
Jeremy Fears did this all in ONE singular game
— College Basketball Content (@CBBcontent) February 5, 2026
Get this out of the game of basketball 👎pic.twitter.com/rUTYY1fFp2
While Izzo defended Fears in the past, last night's on-court antics seem to be the final straw for the no-nonsense coach.
Tom Izzo was asked by @chrissolari of Jeremy Fears’ technical foul and people labeling him as “dirty.”
— Michigan State Content (@msucontent) February 5, 2026
“Immaturity. If he plays that way he deserves it and he ain’t gonna play that way if I bench him the next game.”
“I’ve had it with that. That’s not what I teach. That’s not… pic.twitter.com/pHppXuxK6U
Izzo and Michigan State face No. 5 Illinois at home Saturday night, where they will no doubt need to lean on Jeremy Fears and his 14.7 points per game.
Will Michigan State solve its Jeremy Fears problem before it's too late?