ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan State point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. has drawn 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 of the eighth-ranked Spartans’ 90-80 loss at No. 3 Michigan.
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.
Michigan State’s Jeremy Fears was called for a technical foul Sunday after a video review Sunday that showed he swung his right leg backward and into Michigan’s Elliot Cadeau’s groin area during the first half. Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
During an in-game interview on CBS, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said Fears is under a microscope because of what was said after the previous game.
“I told him I don’t even want him breathing wrong,” Izzo said.
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.
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He was scrutinized again in the following game when Illinois coach Brad Underwood asked officials to review whether Fears intentionally tripped David Mirkovic after Fears stopped in front of him, but Underwood didn’t win the appeal.
Fears, who scored 22 points and had nine assists Sunday, 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 three-hour surgery to remove a bullet from his left thigh. While hanging out with friends Dec. 23, 2023, during a holiday break from the team, Fears and a 19-year-old woman were shot by a man with a handgun after the man entered a residence and opened fire before fleeing.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
