Why is Michigan State so good this season despite losing a number of star players from the Big Ten title-winning 2024-25 squad? Well, a lot has to do with the growth of Jeremy Fears Jr.
While he’s not the only reason Michigan State is 7-0 and about to be ranked in the top 10 when the new poll comes out on Monday, he a main component to the success. He’s improved in just about every statistical category, and he passes the eye test with flying colors. He’s not just a stat merchant like other guards can be, he actually puts in the work.
Actually, you could argue that a lot doesn’t even show up on the stat sheet.
Fears is one of the best defenders at the point guard position in the nation, and he’s an elite leader — there’s a reason he’s called “The Floor General”. He has also stepped up his game on the offensive end which is something fans were begging to see this offseason. He’s responded.
After beating North Carolina on Thanksgiving, marking Michigan State’s third ranked win in seven games, Fears took to X and made a quick statement explaining why he looks so much better while hinting that the team’s ceiling is higher than we all thought.
I just needed an off season we still getting better ❗️❗️❗️❗️
— Jeremy Fears jr. The Floor General (@jeremy_fears) November 29, 2025
”I just needed an offseason,” Fears wrote on X. “We still getting better.”
In case you’re confused by the first part of the statement, Fears was shot in the leg during Christmas break during his true freshman season and missed the remainder of the year. His offseason following that injury was spent rehabbing and learning how to essentially walk comfortably again. It was clear that he didn’t have a normal offseason, and while he did take a step in 2024-25, he still left a lot to be desired.
Now, Fears looks like one of the best point guards in the country, and there are murmurs of “All-American” surrounding him. He just needed a fully healthy offseason to work on his craft, and he’s now reaching the potential that we all saw from him when he committed to Michigan State.
Tom Izzo has likened Fears to his ‘next Mateen’ and some even said that his performance against North Carolina reminded them of Cassius Winston.
All he needed was an offseason to go from “good Big Ten point guard” to “All-American”.