Michigan State Spartans sophomore guard Jeremy Fears Jr. was called for a technical foul during Sunday's Big Ten Conference regular season finale against Michigan for kicking Wolverines junior guard Elliot Cadeau in the groin.
It happened with 14:24 remaining in the first half with Michigan holding a 10-7 lead. Fears was dribbling with the ball as Cadeau was pressing him outside the three-point arc. As Fears turned his back while maintaining his dribble, Cadeau tried to reach around him for the steal and was called for the person foul. However, as the whistle was blown, Fears threw his right leg up behind him and got Cadeau right in the crotch. Cadeau immediately signaled to the bench for a replay challenge.
Jeremy Fears Jr. is assessed a dead ball technical for kicking Elliot Cadeau in the groin#GoBlue #GoGreen pic.twitter.com/30wobSqbQN
— C.J. Lowe (@cjlowehoops) March 8, 2026
After the play was reviewed by the officials, Fears was assessed a technical foul for the contact. Fears is lucky that he was not ejected on the play, as we have seen other players ejected for kicking opponents in a sensitive area. He tried to play it off as an accident, but he has a recent history of similar incidents that made his reaction hard to believe.
Spartans coach Tom Izzo has said publicly after a prior incident that he does not coach this dirty style of play and suggested he would be willing to bench fears if needed. However, in this game so far, Fears scored 10 points in 18 minutes of first-half action. At halftime, the Wolverines lead the Spartans 42-41.
Moonlighting as a blogger to pursue my interest and enjoyment of sports. Former high school and Division I athlete (now a "retired" family man) that loves watching and discussing all sports. Follow me on Twitter (@HoldoutSports).
