Michigan State is in the middle of a rough patch right now, and everything that can go wrong seems to be heading in that direction more often than not. The Spartans have now suffered back-to-back losses against No. 3 Michigan and now Minnesota, with a matchup against No. 5 Illinois on the docket on February 7 at home.
For guard Jeremy Fears, things are really not looking good for him, as he has been in some hot water as of late. Fears was accused of having some uncalled-for, dangerous plays against Michigan and now against Minnesota. He was issued a technical foul for kicking a player after being pushed.
Fears is being accused of using dirty tactics, which is something no player is known for, but it seems to be following Fears around now. During the second half of the game against Minnesota, Golden Gophers guard Langston Reynolds was whistled for a foul, but head coach Niko Medved asked for a replay that resulted in Fears receiving the technical for kicking Reynolds in the groin.
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
The video above shows the technical foul from a different angle, and it shows that while Fears gets pushed from behind, he does bring his leg up and kick Reynolds between the legs. It is not a good look for Fears, who is already in hot water for dirty play tactics.
Tom Izzo isn't above benching Fears going forward
In his postgame press conference, head coach Tom Izzo, of course, was immediately asked about the Fears incident. Izzo spoke on it as much as he could, not fully seeing the play, but when the media told him Fears did actually kick Reynolds, he agreed the technical was the right call.
It seems like Izzo is over all this dirty play stuff as he is thinking of even benching Fears for the Illinois game. Izzo feels his guard needs to grow up a little as well and not fall into the baiting that opposing teams are trying to do.
"Immaturity. If he plays that way, he deserves it, and he ain’t gonna play that way if I bench him the next game," Izzo said.
It will definitely be something fans will be watching as the Spartans look to stop the bleeding against Illinois. The loss to Minnesota dropped Michigan State to fourth in the standings, and they can't afford to stop anymore.