Tom Izzo considers benching Fears Jr. amid dirty play controversy

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo is weighing whether to bench starting point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. amid controversy over a technical foul where he kicked a Minnesota player in between the legs.

The foul happened during the second half of Michigan State’s 76-73 loss against Minnesota. Fears Jr. got fouled by Langston Reynolds and Fears flailed his right leg in an upwards motion, hitting Reynolds in between his legs.

Officials reviewed the play and called a technical foul on Fears Jr., who was then benched for a few minutes.

After the game, Izzo was asked by reporters if he feels that teams are trying to bait Fear Jr. into plays where he could respond negatively.

“When somebody comes out and publicly says something about a guy, that sometimes happens,” said Izzo. “But that’s Jeremy’s fault and I made sure I cleared all that up. I think the officials knew it, I talked to them. I did not see what happened in the play. I saw him get pushed and I saw his leg come up and I didn’t think he hit anybody but if he did, then he deserves it, I guess.”

“But if he didn’t, I questioned it. So are they baiting him? Well of course, of course when you go public with something you should get baited and it’s his fault and I make no bones about it.”

Izzo says he’s considering sending Fears Jr. to the bench in the next game.

“I sat him for a while, I don’t know, I don’t even know if I’m going to start him the next game.”

Izzo says controversial plays made public in Michigan State’s last game against Michigan contributes to how people perceive certain plays made by Fears Jr. Izzo also says Fears Jr. needs become more mature.

“But I stuck up for him too because what happened in the last game, I’ll just say what happened in the last game, the way that was handled was poorly too and so that starts everything. Jeremy’s gotta grow up a little bit but at least he played harder, I’m worried about my other two guys not playing hard enough, three guys. ”

“If he plays that way he deserves it. He ain’t going to play that way if I bench him the next game.”

“If he deserves it, good for him. I’ve had it with that too. That’s not the way I teach, that’s not the way I coach. I’ve told him about it.”

Michigan State’s next game is a home matchup against No.7 ranked Illinois on Feb. 7