Tom Izzo defends Jeremy Fears’ character: ‘I’m fortunate to coach him’

Jeremy Fears has been at the center of the college basketball world over the past few weeks, for both good and bad reasons. The sophomore point guard caught fire as one of the nation’s best players, and then he faced Michigan and made some mental mistakes that sparked some controversy.

Fears was caught trying to trip Yaxel Lendeborg while he was attempting to close out on a shooter, and he caught immediate flak. The next game, he was given a flagrant foul for swinging his leg at a Minnesota defender’s groin.

Finally, he was accused of tripping an Illinois player, but it was determined to not be a foul, and Brad Underwood agreed in the post-game presser.

Tom Izzo had been critical of Fears throughout this stretch, but even he admitted that the whole “dirty” accusation is overblown because he has never been accused of that before. He was always trying to get in opponents’ heads, but he was never trying to hurt anyone.

Izzo gave Fears the benefit of the doubt, but still said that he had to grow up a bit.

This is a great teaching opportunity for Izzo, and he’s not taking it for granted. He’s also thankful that he has a player who is so good that his biggest issue is staying out of trouble on the floor. Plus, Fears is coachable — there’s a reason Izzo keeps likening him to Mateen Cleaves.

Tom Izzo “fortunate” to coach Fears

Izzo appeared on the Jim Rome Show on Wednesday and spoke a little on the Fears situation.

The way he spoke about his point guard was cool to hear because it’s obvious that the two are going to have a long-lasting friendship after they’re no longer coach and player. They’re going to have a Mateen-Izzo or a Draymond Green-Izzo type relationship.

”I’m fortunate to coach him, yet I’m also trying to make him better.”

A coach that truly cares about a student-athlete as a player as well as a person is rare these days, but Izzo fits the bill. He’s trying to help Fears become a better person and player, and he’s also becoming a better coach because of it in the process.

Every one of his great leaders has gone through a “rough patch” and Izzo has had to try and right the ship with some tough love, and it usually works.

We’re going to see how Fears responds to Izzo’s coaching through this time under the microscope on a national level. A 17-point, 15-assist effort in a win over the nation’s No. 5 team is a good start.