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The Michigan State Spartans opened their 2026-27 basketball season with a convincing 96-59 victory over Quinnipiac on Monday night, but head coach Tom Izzo wasn’t about to let the blowout distract him from the bigger picture.
Even after Jeremy Fears Jr. finished with 13 points and 11 assists, Izzo delivered a powerful message to his star point guard: Being good simply isn’t good enough anymore.
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And judging by the Hall of Fame coach’s comments, the expectations for Fears have never been higher.
Michigan State’s head coach Tom Izzo calls out to players during the first half against Quinnipiac on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Tom Izzo Sends Strong Message to Jeremy Fears Jr.
Following Monday’s victory at the Breslin Center, Izzo explained that the expectations for Fears have changed dramatically. The veteran coach believes his point guard has reached a point in his career where merely playing well is no longer acceptable.
“[H]is standards for me have changed. Okay isn’t good enough. Good isn’t good enough anymore. He’s got to play at an elite level, and when he started to do that in the second half defensively, it changed the whole game. I thought the rest of the guys kind of rose. I always said, when the head dies, the body follows. All in all, I guess I was pleased until I watched the film,” Izzo said during his postgame press conference.
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That is quite a statement from a coach who has never been shy about demanding excellence. But perhaps the most interesting part of Izzo’s message was his belief that Fears’ defensive intensity helped elevate everyone around him.
Izzo wasn’t finished, either.
Izzo Makes It Clear: The Expectations Have Changed
When discussing Fears’ development and leadership responsibilities, Izzo explained that his demanding approach comes from the respect his point guard has earned.
“I’m pushing him to a different level now. He’s earned respect, but he’s…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/tom-izzo-sends-strong-message-143000146.html
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Publish date : 2026-11-04 14:30:00
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