Tom Izzo Starts 'Remorseful' Jeremy Fears For Michigan State vs. Illinois After Threatening Benching

Michigan State men's basketball head coach Tom Izzo started sophomore guard Jeremy Fears Jr. on Saturday at home against No. 5 Illinois after previously threatening to bench him a few days earlier following a crucial technical foul in a 76-73 loss at Minnesota.

Per Stephen Brooks of 247Sports, Izzo said on a pregame show that Fears was "remorseful" for his actions.

Fears got the T after swinging his leg backwards into the groin area of Minnesota guard Langston Reynolds after the whistle, which was blown after Reynolds committed a personal foul on the Spartan guard.

In addition, Fears appeared to intentionally trip Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg during MSU's 83-71 loss vs. Michigan on Feb. 1.

That play particularly upset Michigan head coach Dusty May.

Fears played 43 of a possible 45 minutes on Saturday in an 85-82 overtime victory over Illinois, leading all players with 26 points (11 in overtime) and 15 assists.