MSU's Tom Izzo Reacts to Jeremy Fears Jr.'s Kick at Michigan's Elliott Cadeau's Groin on Video

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo told reporters on Sunday that he didn't believe Jeremy Fears Jr. intended to Michigan's Elliot Cadeau in the groin during a 90-80 loss, though he "chewed him out about it."

"Nobody is tougher on him than me," he added. "Nobody will be tougher on him than me."

Fears said he "got fouled" on the play in question and "should have probably just fell," calling the groin kick "an unfortunate situation."

But his history with unsportsmanlike or questionable plays will make it harder for some to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Fears appeared to intentionally trip Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg during their matchup earlier in the season, was given a technical foul for swinging his leg backwards into the groin of Minnesota's Langston Reynolds' groin area and tripped David Mirkovic in a matchup against Illinois, though officials didn't determine it to be an intentional act upon review.