The pitchforks and torches are out in full force again, folks. Jeremy Fears made another routine basketball play that has resulted in rival fans calling him “dirty” and vilifying him once again.
After the trip and hard foul on Yaxel Lendeborg during the Michigan loss and the kick to a Minnesota defender’s groin, Fears has unfortunately developed a reputation. Fair or not, he’s been labeled as a “dirty” player by college basketball fans, and for a two-week span, he probably deserved it a little.
Fears was leaning into that villain role just a little too much and it led to some questionable plays that forced the officials’ hands during the Illinois and now the Ohio State games.
Against Illinois, an Illini defender tripped on Fears as he was making a move to call for the ball on a breakaway and that was reviewed and ruled clean. On Sunday against Ohio State, Fears was fouled by a Buckeye defender, and while selling the foul a little more than he should have, his leg flailed in the direction of another groin. Fortunately this time it didn’t make contact and it was ruled a clean play by the officials after a review. He clearly didn’t mean to kick anyone, and he didn’t even make contact.
Officials reviewed this play between Jeremy Fears and Amare Bynum.
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) February 22, 2026
"They've ruled nothing egregious." pic.twitter.com/0bOU4zqp1e
The fact that this play was even reviewed was strictly because of the reputation that Fears had unfortunately built after the Michigan and Minnesota games. If he never trips Lendeborg or flails his leg at a Minnesota defender’s groin, we’re not even talking about this play. Heck, we’re not talking about that Illinois play either.
Unfortunately, the narrative has been pushed so many times that Fears is going to be under the microscope even more and opposing players are going to start baiting this even more. They’re going to sell it more like the Ohio State defender did when Fears pretty clearly didn’t make contact.
It may not be entirely warranted, but Fears is going to have to stay away from even slightly controversial plays for the remainder of the season or it’s going to be a distraction.
Tom Izzo is already sick of the narrative.