ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State point guard Jeremy Fears drew attention for another kick toward an opponent's groin.
Fears was called for a technical after a video review Sunday that showed he swung his right leg backward and into Elliot Cadeau during the first half when the eighth-ranked Spartans played at No. 3 Michigan.
“I got fouled, I should have probably just fell,” Fears said after the Wolverines won 90-80. “It's an unfortunate situation.”
Spartans coach Tom Izzo said he didn't think Fears kicked Cadeau on purposes. Izzo, though, added that he “chewed him out about it,” during the game.
“Nobody is tougher on him than me,” he said. “Nobody will be tougher on him than me.”
In the emotionally charged first half, the Wolverines were called for two technical fouls as officials tried to keep the rivals in check.
When the Wolverines won the first matchup earlier this season, Fears appeared to intentionally trip preseason All-America forward Yaxel Lendeborg and Michigan coach Dusty May said there were several dangerous plays in the game.
During an in-game interview on CBS, Izzo said Fears is under a microscope because of what was said following the previous game.
“I told him I don’t even want him breathing wrong," Izzo said.
After the game, Izzo had more to say.
“I’m sick of it being one-sided,” he said. “That’s what upset me about the first time. Fears will get his lunch from me. I wonder if some of their guys will get their lunch from what happened in the first game that didn't get public.”
During the postgame handshake, May said Izzo congratulated him on winning the Big Ten championship.
“I think it’s a great rivalry,” May said. “I think it’s a lot of fun.”
In a game at Minnesota, Fears swung his leg backward to hit Langston Reynolds’ groin area and was called for a foul — and a technical on review.
He was scrutinized again in the following game when Illinois coach Brad Underwood asked officials to review whether Fears intentionally tripped David Mirkovic after stopping in front of him, but Underwood didn't win the appeal.
Fears has had a breakout season in his third year at Michigan State after bouncing back last season from a near-death experience.
His freshman year was cut short because he needed a 3-hour surgery to remove a bullet from his left thigh. While hanging out with friends on Dec. 23, 2023, during a holiday break from the team, Fears and a 19-year-old woman were shot by a male with a handgun after the man entered a residence and opened fire before fleeing.
Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Please purchase a Premium Subscription to continue reading.
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.
We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.
A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means you’re helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
Only subscribers can view and post comments on articles.
Already a subscriber? Login Here
All are invited to attend this silent, unprogrammed meeting where we listen for the spirit o… Read moreSan Mateo Quakers
Exclusive film screening in San Mateo Read moreA LITTLE FELLOW: THE LEGACY OF A.P.GIANNINI
JustMike650 said:
Source?
Proof?
Dirk van Ulden said:
David has always been a day late and a dollar short. Forgive him.
CA Is Burning said:
CA Is Burning said:
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.