Michigan State Rallies Past Illinois in Overtime Thriller

Spartans point guard Jeremy Fears shines with 26 points and 15 assists after coach Izzo considered benching him.

Feb. 8, 2026 at 12:39am

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In a highly anticipated Big Ten matchup, No. 10 Michigan State defeated No. 5 Illinois 85-82 in overtime at the Breslin Center. Spartans point guard Jeremy Fears, who had faced scrutiny for his sportsmanship in recent games, delivered a standout performance with 26 points and 15 assists, including 11 points in the extra period. The game was marked by controversy as Illinois coach Brad Underwood unsuccessfully appealed a play where Fears was accused of intentionally tripping an opposing player.

Why it matters

This victory is a crucial boost for Michigan State's NCAA Tournament hopes, as they look to solidify their position as a top contender in the Big Ten. The game also highlighted the ongoing debate around sportsmanship and player conduct in college basketball, with Fears' recent actions drawing the ire of opposing coaches.

The details

Michigan State's Jeremy Fears, who had been the subject of disciplinary discussions by coach Tom Izzo, delivered a standout performance to lead the Spartans to victory. Fears finished with 26 points and 15 assists, including 11 points in overtime. The game was not without controversy, as Illinois coach Brad Underwood unsuccessfully appealed a play where Fears was accused of intentionally tripping an opposing player.

  • The game was played on Saturday, February 8, 2026 at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan.
  • In the first half, Fears was scrutinized for a play where Illinois coach Brad Underwood appealed to officials, claiming Fears had intentionally tripped an opposing player, but the appeal was denied.

The players

Jeremy Fears

The standout point guard for Michigan State, who had faced recent scrutiny for his sportsmanship but delivered a dominant performance with 26 points and 15 assists, including 11 points in overtime.

Tom Izzo

The head coach of Michigan State, who had considered benching Fears for disciplinary reasons but ultimately kept him in the starting lineup, where he led the Spartans to a crucial victory.

Brad Underwood

The head coach of Illinois, who unsuccessfully appealed a play where he claimed Fears had intentionally tripped an opposing player, but the officials ruled it was a basketball play.

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What they’re saying

“If he breathes on somebody now, there's going to be a call”

— Tom Izzo, Head Coach, Michigan State

“They looked at it. 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.”

— Brad Underwood, Head Coach, Illinois

“I had some mistakes that I made in past game that I don't want to let happen. I hurt my team.”

— Jeremy Fears

What’s next

The Spartans will look to build on this momentum as they continue their push for a high seed in the NCAA Tournament, while Illinois will aim to rebound from this tough loss.

The takeaway

This game showcased the talent and resilience of Michigan State's Jeremy Fears, who overcame recent disciplinary concerns to lead his team to a crucial victory over a top-5 opponent. It also highlighted the ongoing debate around sportsmanship and player conduct in college basketball, an issue that will likely continue to be a point of emphasis for coaches and officials.