Michigan State star draws fresh scrutiny with kick toward opponent's groin

Tensions were moving precocious betwixt 2 rivals connected Sunday arsenic the Michigan Wolverines men’s hoops squad edged the Michigan State Spartans, 90-80.

Spartans prima Jeremy Fears Jr. drew scrutiny successful the archetypal fractional of the crippled erstwhile helium kicked toward hostile Elliot Cadeau’s groin. He was called for a method foul arsenic the video reappraisal showed that helium swung his close limb backward into Cadeau.

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Michigan St defender Jeremy Fears Jr. (1) puts up a changeable betwixt Michigan defender Roddy Gayle Jr, left, and Michigan halfway Aday Mara successful the archetypal fractional of an NCAA assemblage hoops crippled successful Ann Arbor, Michigan, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Lon Horwedel)

Cadeau instantly walked toward his seat and called for caput manager Dusty May to inquire for a replay review.

"I got fouled, I should person astir apt conscionable fell," Fears said aft the game. "It’s an unfortunate situation."

Michigan State caput manager Tom Izzo said helium didn’t judge that Fears kicked Cadeau connected intent but added that helium "chewed him retired astir it," during the game.

"Nobody is tougher connected him than me," helium said. "Nobody volition beryllium tougher connected him than me."

Izzo said during an in-game interrogation with CBS that Fears is nether a microscope due to the fact that of what was said pursuing the erstwhile game.

Head manager Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during the crippled against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the 2nd fractional astatine Pinnacle Bank Arena connected Jan. 2, 2026 successful Lincoln, Nebraska.  (Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)

He elaborated much aft the game.

"I’m sick of it being one-sided," helium said. "That’s what upset maine astir the archetypal time. Fears volition get his luncheon from me. I wonderment if immoderate of their guys volition get their luncheon from what happened successful the archetypal crippled that didn't get public."

Fears, successful a crippled against the Minnesota Golden Gophers, swung his limb backward to deed Langston Reynolds’ groin country and was called for a foul. He received a method foul connected a review.

He came nether scrutiny again against the Illinois Fighting Illini erstwhile manager Brad Underwood asked officials to look astatine whether Fears intentionally tripped David Mirkovic aft stopping successful beforehand of him. Underwood didn’t triumph the appeal.

Fears has had a breakout play successful his 3rd twelvemonth with the Spartans. He’s averaging 15.1 points per crippled and is starring the federation with a 9.1 assists per crippled average.

Michigan State finished the regular play with a 25-6 grounds and a 15-5 grounds successful the Big Ten Conference.

Michigan State defender Jeremy Fears Jr. (1) reacts to a idiosyncratic foul telephone against him during the 2nd fractional against Michigan astatine Crisler Center successful Ann Arbor connected Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

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Michigan, with the win, solidified its Big Ten regular-season title. The Wolverines are 29-2 this play and 19-1 successful the conference.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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