Michigan State's Jeremy Fears Kicks Elliot Cadeau In Groin, Receives Technical

During the first half of the No. 3 Michigan vs. No. 8 Michigan State rivalry game in Ann Arbor, Michigan State guard Jeremy Fears Jr. was assessed a technical foul after a video review showed him swing his right leg backward into Michigan guard Elliot Cadeau.

The incident came in Michigan’s 90-80 win over Michigan State.

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The technical was formally ruled following the replay review and drew immediate attention given the high-profile matchup and the timing in the first half.

The call amplified scrutiny on Fears because of several earlier incidents this season.

Reports note he previously appeared to trip Michigan opponent Yaxel Lendeborg, swung his leg into Langston Reynolds' groin in a game at Minnesota (which resulted in a foul and technical after review), and was involved in an apparent trip of David Mirkovic that Illinois coach Brad Underwood unsuccessfully asked officials to review.

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Those prior episodes have helped frame the latest review as part of a pattern of on-court contact drawing official attention.

Reactions from both the player and head coach highlighted the tension around the call.

Fears described the play as "an unfortunate situation," saying he had been fouled and should have fallen.

Coach Tom Izzo said he didn’t believe the kick was intentional but reprimanded Fears during the game and emphasized that the guard is "under a microscope."

Izzo voiced frustration over perceived uneven scrutiny, telling Fears on CBS, "I told him I don’t even want him breathing wrong."

Izzo also noted the rivalry atmosphere and said officials whistled two technicals on Michigan in the first half, which added to the charged environment.

Beyond the on-court controversy, coverage emphasized Fears' personal backstory and the stakes for his breakout season.

News reports note Fears is having a breakout third season and highlighted his recovery from a near-fatal shooting last December that required a three-hour operation to remove a bullet from his left thigh.

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That context has made his performance and conduct a focal point for both supporters and critics as the season progresses.