The University of Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team defeated the Michigan State University Spartans 90-80 on March 8, 2026, at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The game marked the regular-season finale for both teams in the Big Ten Conference.[1][2]

In the first half, Spartans guard Jeremy Fears Jr. swung his right leg backward toward Michigan guard Elliot Cadeau, with video review confirming contact near Cadeau's groin area. Officials assessed a technical foul on Fears.[1][3]

Cadeau walked to the Michigan bench and alerted head coach Dusty May, prompting the review.[1]

After the game, Fears commented: "I got fouled, I should have probably just fell. It’s an unfortunate situation."[1][4]

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, who has led the Spartans since 1995, said he did not believe the action was intentional and that he reprimanded Fears during the game. "Nobody is tougher on him than me," Izzo stated.[1][2][5]

Izzo referenced prior scrutiny of Fears from earlier Big Ten games, including incidents against Minnesota's Langston Reynolds and Illinois' David Mirkovic, where similar leg swings and a potential trip were reviewed.[1]

Fears, a junior guard for Michigan State, is averaging 15.1 points and a nation-leading 9.1 assists per game this season.[1][6]

Michigan improved to 29-2 overall and 19-1 in Big Ten play with the win, securing the conference regular-season title. Michigan State finished 25-6 overall and 15-5 in the Big Ten.[1][2]

The Michigan-Michigan State matchup is one of college basketball's most intense rivalries, contested annually since 1920.[5][7]

Both teams advance to the Big Ten Tournament, scheduled for March 12-16, 2026, in Minneapolis.[2][8]

Sources

1. Fox News. "Tensions high as Michigan edges Michigan State amid Fears kick controversy." March 9, 2026. https://www.foxnews.com/sports/michigan-michigan-state-basketball-fears-kick
2. Associated Press. "No. 2 Michigan clinches Big Ten title with 90-80 win over Michigan State." March 8, 2026. https://apnews.com/article/big-ten-michigan-michigan-state-basketball-03-08-2026
3. Big Ten Conference. "Michigan 90, Michigan State 80 - Final Box Score." March 8, 2026. https://bigten.org/sports/mbball/2025-26/boxscores/20260308_mich.xml
4. ESPN. "Michigan-Michigan State Game Recap." March 9, 2026. https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=401738292
5. MSU Spartans Official Site. "Izzo Postgame Presser: Michigan 90-80." March 8, 2026. https://msuspartans.com/news/2026/3/8/mens-basketball-izzo-michigan-postgame.aspx
6. NCAA.com Stats. "2025-26 Men's Basketball Leaders." Accessed March 9, 2026. https://stats.ncaa.org/?sport=mbball
7. Wikipedia. "Michigan–Michigan State men's basketball rivalry." Accessed March 9, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan–Michigan_State_men%27s_basketball_rivalry
8. Big Ten Conference. "2026 Men's Basketball Tournament Bracket." March 9, 2026. https://bigten.org/sports/mbball/2025-26/tournament