Overview
- Officials upgraded a first‑half sequence to a contact dead‑ball technical on video review after Fears swung his right leg backward into Elliot Cadeau’s groin.
- Michigan won 90-80 to complete a season sweep of the rivalry, with the Wolverines already holding the Big Ten regular-season title.
- The call follows a February review that issued Fears a technical for a similar kick against Minnesota, plus prior complaints from opposing coaches including Michigan’s Dusty May and Illinois’ Brad Underwood.
- Tom Izzo argued the play was not intentional and said Fears is under a microscope, while also saying he chewed out his guard; Fears said he should have probably just fallen and called it an unfortunate situation.
- Fears, a redshirt sophomore leading Division I at about 9.1 assists per game with roughly 15 points, was named first-team All-Big Ten on Tuesday as MSU enters the conference tournament as the No. 3 seed.