US EditionJeremy Fears' 26 points and 15 assists help No. 10 Michigan State beat No. 5 Illinois 85-82 in OT
Jeremy Fears scored 26 points and made 15 assists, leading Michigan State to an 85-82 overtime victory over Illinois despite recent disciplinary concerns, coach Tom Izzo said.
- In a February 7, 2026 game in East Lansing, the Michigan State Spartans edged No. 5 Illinois 83-76 in overtime, ending their 12-game winning streak.
- Tom Izzo debated whether to restrict Fears' minutes after two incidents, including a leg swing at Minnesota and a trip last week against Michigan, amid sportsmanship concerns.
- Jeremy Fears scored 26 points, including a tiebreaking three-point play with 1:47 left in overtime, to lead Michigan State over Illinois, with Kur Teng hitting a go-ahead 3 and Jake Davis tying at 71.
- Tom Izzo said he doesn't condone Fears' actions but hasn't suspended him, adding `Things got blown up`, while Brad Underwood asked officials to review a trip, and Dusty May criticized `several plays that are very dangerous`.
- Entering the matchup, Fears led the nation with 204 assists and was averaging nearly 15 points per game, playing more than 40 minutes after coach Izzo debated discipline.
48 Articles
48 Articles
Tom Izzo Ignores Jeremy Fears' Questionable Antics After 3rd Straight Game With Controversial Trip
Tom Izzo / Jeremy Fears / Michigan State Spartans The Michigan State basketball team secured a Big 10 win over rival Illinois on Saturday in East Lansing. Guard Jeremy Fears played a large role. He scored 11 of the team’s final 14 points in an 85-82 overtime victory. He also made headlines for a potentially dirty play. The officials reviewed this and said he didn’t do it on purpose. Izzo should be ashamed he’s letting this happen. pic.twitter.c…
Michigan State Stuns No. 5 Illinois in Overtime Behind Fears’ 26 and 15
Photo: Dale Young ~ Dale YoungEAST LANSING ~ Michigan State delivered one of its grittiest performances of the season, outlasting No. 5 Illinois 85-82 in an overtime thriller at the Breslin Center. The Spartans, coming off a stretch of inconsistent play, rediscovered their defensive identity by holding the Illini to 36% shooting and 27% from 3-point range. Sophomore guard Jeremy Fears Jr. set the tone with 26 points and 15 assists, while Michiga…
Jeremy Fears' 26 points and 15 assists help No. 10 Michigan State beat No. 5 Illinois 85-82 in OT - IPM Newsroom
Illinois Newsroom - With a chance to send the game to a second overtime, Illinois center Zvonimir Ivisic missed a 3-point shot at the buzzer. Michigan State knocked the Fighting Illini out of first place in the Big Ten and ended their 12-game win streak. The post Jeremy Fears’ 26 points and 15 assists help No. 10 Michigan State beat No. 5 Illinois 85-82 in OT appeared first on IPM Newsroom.
No. 5 Illinois falls to No. 10 Michigan State in OT, 85-82
Jeremy Fears started the game and finished with 26 points — 11 in OT — and 15 assists in 42 minutes, lifting the Spartans to an 85-82 win over No. 5 Illinois on Saturday night, after coach Tom Izzo debated whether to discipline the standout point guard after his sportsmanship was called into question in two straight games.
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