Sunday’s win over Ohio State was one of those “survive and advance” games for Michigan State. The Spartans played one of their worst games of the season and were lucky to come away with a win.
Tom Izzo wasn’t pleased after the game, saying that there would be a team meeting that night and that the team didn’t play how it practiced all week. He said that the Spartans had three straight days of great practices, but for whatever reason, that just didn’t translate.
Jeremy Fears echoed the same sentiment.
In his post-game media session, Fears sounded like an extension of Izzo, pointing to the fact that the team didn’t play nearly as well as it practiced and they have to find out why that is.
Every time he talks, Fears sounds more and more like a future coach.
"We weren't doing anything we practiced...we need to find the why, why did it happen, why does it keep happening."
— Kara Adams (@karaadams2_) February 22, 2026
Jeremy Fears Jr. on the frustration of another slow start for the Spartans and where they go from here to fix that.
MSU's 23 points after the first half was their… pic.twitter.com/cRxLiW0jy2
The frustration is obvious with Fears. He plays hard and practices hard, but lately the great days leading up to games just aren’t translating. It could be a lack of focus, especially against inferior opponents that Michigan State has no business struggling with (Ohio State, Indiana, Oregon, Rutgers). They have to figure out why they’re not playing well when it matters lately.
It hasn’t been every game, but the inconsistency within this team over the past month has been frustrating for everyone. As a player or a coach, however, it has to hurt a little more because they know how much work goes into each game, and when practices are great and don’t translate, it has to be infuriating.
Fortunately Michigan State has the leaders in place to right the ship.
Time’s running out on Michigan State
Like Fears said, the Spartans have to figure out the why. They need to solve the problem that is great practices not equalling great performances on game day.
The Maryland, Illinois, and UCLA games were all examples of just how good this team can be when they show up on game day and play like they’re supposed to. They played really well offensively in each of those contests, and the defense was incredible against Maryland and UCLA.
Unfortunately, three games in a month-long span is just not going to cut it. March is approaching and we’re nearing one-and-done time so it’s time to figure out what’s going wrong so it doesn’t keep happening. Izzo and Fears are on the case.