Jeremy Fears Jr. looking to get his groove back for Michigan State basketball’s offense

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EAST LANSING – Jeremy Fears Jr. knows all about Illinois basketball and the snakepit that awaits Michigan State basketball Saturday night.

Even if he has yet to step into State Farm Arena as an enemy.

The Illini were one of three finalists when the 2023 Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year picked the Spartans. The Joliet native felt the juice of the Orange Crush. His brother, Jeremiah, initially had committed to coach Brad Underwood for next year before reclassifying and instead heading to Oklahoma.

“If they go on a run, it’ll get loud,” Fears said after practice Thursday. “It brings them energy and brings them life. So our job is, obviously, you probably gotta try to control the crowd.”

Yet Fears isn’t focused on the familiarity and anticipated animosity from Illini fans frothing for the Spartans’ arrival. He knows any chance to win a Big Ten regular-season title requires No. 11 MSU to block out the noise and correct the issues that have cost it three losses in the past four games and the top spot in the conference.

Michigan State’s Jeremy Fears Jr. pushes the ball against Illinois during the first half on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.

“It’s just another game,” Fears said after practice Thursday. “Obviously, our goal is to win the Big Ten, and we’re still competing and still in there.”

The Spartans (19-5, 10-3 Big Ten) head to Illinois for a Saturday night showdown (8 p.m./Fox) that will be pivotal in determining whether they can rebound from a rough patch and remain in contention or continue their February fade.

“Guys have been great. I feel good about my team. It doesn’t get any easier,” MSU coach Tom Izzo said after practice Thursday. “Illinois is playing well. We go down there. Some years you’d say, ‘Oh God, we gotta go to Illinois.’ This year I’m saying, ‘Oh good, we get to go to Illinois,’ because I know they’re good. I know they’re real good. I know they’re better than their record. And I want to see…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/jeremy-fears-jr-looking-groove-110422970.html

Author : Detroit Free Press

Publish date : 2025-02-15 11:04:00

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