Sports

Tom Izzo Blames Michigan For Exposing Jeremy Fears To Evade Accountability

#Michigan State Spartans
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Tom Izzo / Jeremy Fears / Michigan State Spartans

© Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images


The Michigan State basketball team was upset by Minnesota on the road in Big 10 action on Wednesday night. Star guard Jeremy Fears was a storyline for a second straight game.

Fears’ antics were considered dirty as viewers pointed out numerous instances of potentially dangerous play.

Fears was seen attempting to trip a Minnesota player on more than one occasion. He appeared to elbow another in the head/neck region.

The guard was called for a technical foul after trying to kick a Gopher in the groin. Tom Izzo spoke on the drama after the contest.

“When someone comes out and publicly says something, that sometimes happens,” he said. “I did not see what happened on the play (in question). I saw him get pushed, and I saw his leg go up. I didn’t think he hit anybody, but if he did, then he deserves (the technical foul). I guess.

“If he didn’t… I questioned it. Are they baiting him? Of course. When someone goes public with something, you should get baited… I stuck up for him, because what happened in the last game was handled poorly, too.”

Tom Izzo blamed Michigan.

While he did say that this was ultimately a Jeremy Fears issue, he subtly threw Michigan under the bus.

Wolverines head coach Dusty May was vocal about a tripping incident that occurred between Fears and star player Yaxel Lendeborg last weekend. Fears kicked his leg out as Lendeborg ran to defend a Michigan State player.

May believes it was intentional.

“Appeared?” he responded when asked about the alleged trip. “It wasn’t an illusion… I think there were several plays that were very dangerous… they’re not isolated incidents.”

Given the magnitude of the rivalry, May’s comments made headlines. It was top of mind in Wednesday’s matchup. Officials watched Fears closely.

He provided them a reason to “T” him up.

Will Jeremy Fears be held accountable?

Izzo said he “doesn’t know” if he’ll start the guard next game. He did bench him momentarily after the technical foul. He threatened repercussions while doubling down on Michigan’s contributions to the narrative.

“That’s not what I teach… He ain’t going to play that way if I bench him… but he is a physical player… I think things got blown up in the last game. When that stuff goes public, then you’ve got to really deal with it.”

-Tom Izzo

By bringing Michigan into the conversation, Izzo took blame away from Jeremy Fears. He never truly condemned his player’s antics.

Maybe he needed to see the tape. As of Wednesday night, he believed the situation to be completely overblown.

Video reflects otherwise as many call for action to be taken by either MSU or the Big 10. We’ll see if the trend continues in the Spartans’ next game.