The last Big Ten player to record 10-plus assists in the first two games of the NCAA Tournament was actually all the way back in the 1970s when former Michigan State superstar Magic Johnson had four straight games with those numbers.
Jeremy Fears Jr. now joins the exclusive list with Magic after he put up 10-plus assists in a win over Louisville following an 11-assist game against North Dakota State.
According to Yahoo Sports, Fears is the first Big Ten player to accomplish this feat since Magic. And what happened in that 1979 NCAA Tournament? That’s right, Michigan State won the national title. Maybe Fears can replicate some of Magic’s magic and lead the Spartans to a Final Four for the first time since 2019 and Tom Izzo’s ninth ever.
Jeremy Fears Jr. makes Big Ten history after recording his second straight game with 10 assists in this year's NCAA Tournament 🔥
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) March 21, 2026
Magic Johnson had four consecutive games for Michigan State in 1979, although unofficial. pic.twitter.com/TtC4gLpi36
Not only did Fears join Magic by getting 10-plus in back-to-back games to start the tournament, but he dished out a whopping 16 assists against the Cardinals. He’s now averaging 13.5 over his first two 2026 NCAA Tournament games and his 16 also broke a Denzel Valentine record for most in a single NCAA Tournament game by a Spartan.
Fears has been one of the best players in America this season, and he was even named a second-team All-American just a week ago. He’s carrying over that elite regular-season play into the NCAA Tournament, leading the Spartans to a Sweet 16 because of his overall play.
Jeremy Fears Jr. now needs to turn the scoring up
No one can ever truly complain about Fears’ offense since he accounts for so many buckets whether he’s assisting or scoring, but he needs to be scoring more for Michigan State to have a chance against the UConns, Dukes, or Floridas who are left in the NCAA Tournament.
Fears failed to reach double figures in the tourney opener against North Dakota State and he hit 10 late against Louisville. He needs to get that scoring touch back that he had for a good two-month stretch during Big Ten play.
I have no doubt it returns, but he needs to be more aggressive with his own shots.