Michigan State guard Jeremy Fears Jr. (1) reacts after hitting a basket during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Jeremy Fears played one of his best games to help No. 10 Michigan State earn a much-needed win after his coach thought about benching him.

Fears started the game and finished with 26 points — 11 in OT — and 15 assists in 42 minutes, lifting the Spartans to an 85-82 win over No. 5 Illinois on Saturday night, after coach Tom Izzo debated whether to discipline the standout point guard after his sportsmanship was called into question in two straight games.

Late in the first half, Fears was scrutinized again.

Fighting Illini coach Brad Underwood asked officials to review whether Fears intentionally tripped David Mirkovic after stopping in front of him. Underwood lost the appeal.

“They looked at it,” Underwood said. “It’s always going to be a judgment. He stopped. It’s what he does.

“He was terrific. We didn’t do a very good job of squaring him up.”

Izzo said on the pregame radio show that he doesn’t condone what Fears has done, adding he hasn’t done anything to merit a suspension.

“He’s remorseful,” Izzo said.

In a 76-73 loss at Minnesota on Wednesday night, Fears swung his leg backward into Langston Reynolds’ groin area after the whistle when Reynolds was called for a foul on Fears. Officials gave Fears a technical on review.

In last week’s 83-71 loss to rival and second-ranked Michigan, Fears appeared to intentionally trip preseason All-America forward Yaxel Lendeborg.

The day before facing the Fighting Illini, Izzo said he still was considering benching Fears for at least a portion of the game. Izzo said the redshirt sophomore needed to “grow up a little bit.”

Entering the game against Illinois, Fears led the nation with 204 assists and was averaging nearly 15 points a game as Michigan State’s leading scorer.

While Izzo was considering disciplining Fears, Izzo has made clear he remains upset about Michigan coach Dusty May’s public criticism of Fears. May accused the Spartans of “several plays that are very dangerous,” during a news conference.

“Things got blown up,” Izzo said.

Fears has had a breakout season in his third year at Michigan State, following up a bounce-back season.

His freshman year was cut short because he needed a 3-hour surgery to remove a bullet from his left thigh. While hanging out with friends on Dec. 23, 2023 during a holiday break from the team, Fears and a 19-year-old woman were shot by a male with a handgun after the man entered a residence and opened fire before fleeing.

ILLINOIS (20-3)

Davis 1-5 3-3 6, Mirkovic 5-13 7-8 18, T.Ivisic 5-9 0-1 12, Stojakovic 8-14 0-0 17, Wagler 2-16 10-12 16, Humrichous 3-6 0-0 8, Z.Ivisic 2-8 0-0 5. Totals 26-71 20-24 82.

MICHIGAN STATE (19-4)

Carr 4-10 0-0 8, Kohler 4-12 0-0 11, Scott 3-6 3-4 10, Cooper 3-4 3-4 9, Fears 7-19 12-13 26, Ward 3-4 2-2 8, Teng 4-10 0-0 10, Fort 1-1 0-0 3, McCulloch 0-1 0-0 0, Wojcik 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 29-67 20-23 85.

Halftime_Illinois 39-35. 3-Point Goals_Illinois 10-36 (Humrichous 2-4, T.Ivisic 2-6, Wagler 2-8, Stojakovic 1-2, Davis 1-5, Mirkovic 1-5, Z.Ivisic 1-6), Michigan State 7-24 (Kohler 3-8, Teng 2-6, Fort 1-1, Scott 1-4, Carr 0-2, Fears 0-3). Fouled Out_T.Ivisic, Scott. Rebounds_Illinois 36 (Z.Ivisic 8), Michigan State 47 (Kohler 16). Assists_Illinois 13 (Mirkovic 6), Michigan State 18 (Fears 15). Total Fouls_Illinois 21, Michigan State 19.

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Jeremy Fears scored 26 points, including a tiebreaking three-point play with 1:47 left in overtime, and had 15 assists to help No. 10 Michigan State hold on for an 85-82 win over No. 5 Illinois on Saturday night.

With a chance to send the game to a second overtime, Illinois center Zvonimir Ivisic missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

The Spartans (20-4, 10-3 Big Ten) knocked the Fighting Illini (20-4, 11-2) out of first place in the Big Ten and ended their 12-game winning streak.

Illinois’ David Mirkovic scored 18 points, Andrej Stojakovic had 17 points and Tomislav Ivisic fouled out with 2:22 left in overtime after scoring 12 points.

Illini freshman Keaton Wagler, who averaged 27-plus points the previous four games, missed 14 of 16 shots and scored 16.

Michigan State’s Kur Teng made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 8.5 seconds left in regulation and Jake Davis tied the game at 71-all with two free throws after getting fouled on a put-back attempt on the ensuing possession.

Illinois led 39-35 at halftime after six ties and nine lead changes and was ahead by nine points early in the second half.

Michigan State’s Jaxon Kohler had 11 points and 16 rebounds while Jordan Scott and Teng scored 10 apiece.

Up next

Illinois: Hosts Wisconsin on Tuesday.

Michigan State: At Wisconsin on Friday.