Michigan State's Fears Chasing Assists Record vs. Rutgers

Spartans point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. is six assists away from passing Magic Johnson for third place on the school's single-season assists list.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Michigan State point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. is closing in on the school's single-season assists record, needing just six more to pass the legendary Magic Johnson for third place. Fears leads the nation with 9.1 assists per game and has reached double digits in assists 12 times this season. The No. 8 Spartans will face Rutgers on Wednesday night, with Fears looking to make history.

Why it matters

Fears' pursuit of the assists record is a significant milestone for the young star, who has emerged as one of the top point guards in college basketball this season. Passing Johnson, considered one of the greatest players in Michigan State and NBA history, would cement Fears' legacy as an all-time great Spartan.

The details

Fears currently has 264 assists on the season, fourth-most in school history. He trails only Cassius Winston (291 in 2018-19), Mateen Cleaves (274 in 1998-99), and Johnson (269 in 1978-79). Fears has also scored in double figures in 17 straight games and leads the team with a 15.1 scoring average.

  • Fears is six assists away from passing Magic Johnson for third place on Michigan State's single-season assists list.
  • The Spartans face Rutgers on Wednesday, March 5, 2026.

The players

Jeremy Fears Jr.

Michigan State's star point guard who is closing in on the school's single-season assists record.

Magic Johnson

Legendary Michigan State basketball player who holds the school's third-highest single-season assists total.

Tom Izzo

Head coach of the Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team.

Jaxon Kohler

Michigan State forward who is averaging a team-best 9.2 rebounds per game.

Steve Pikiell

Head coach of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights men's basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“He's playing as good as anybody in the league right now. He's making players around him better and that's what the great ones do. Mateen Cleaves and (Magic) had the ability to make decent players into very good players.”

— Tom Izzo, Michigan State Head Coach (statenews.net)

“Jaxon has been struggling a little bit. Now hopefully we can get him back up. If he's playing his best basketball, we're playing our best basketball.”

— Jeremy Fears Jr., Michigan State Point Guard (statenews.net)

“You've got to play 40 minutes. Halftime doesn't mean the game is over. Halftime means the battle has just begun.”

— Steve Pikiell, Rutgers Head Coach (statenews.net)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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