The rivalry between the Michigan Wolverines and Michigan State Spartans appears to be ramping up on the basketball court.
The Wolverines beat Michigan State 83-71 at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Mich. on Friday, but Michigan coach Dusty May had a point to make about the contest three days later. May suggested Michigan State had engaged in “dangerous” play, pointing to one instance where Spartans guard Jeremy Fears Jr. appeared to try and trip Michigan star Yaxel Lendeborg.
“I think there were several plays that were very dangerous,” May said. “They’re not isolated incidents. The film’s there. 40 minutes of it. It’s not hard to find.”
Here’s Dusty May on Jeremy Fears Jr. tripping Yaxel Lendeborg: https://t.co/QUk7PBZuTR pic.twitter.com/YcUEHyHHio
— TheWolverine.com (@TheWolverineOn3) February 2, 2026
The play in question certainly looked like a non-basketball play.
Dusty May was asked today about a play where Jeremy Fears Jr. appeared to trip Yaxel Lendeborg. “Appeared?” he asked.
— Anthony Broome (@anthonytbroome) February 2, 2026
Said there are “several plays that are very dangerous” from the game and “the film’s there. 40 minutes of it. It’s not hard to find.”
pic.twitter.com/gOYx0NQL9L
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo was not impressed, however, while acknowledging that he had addressed “some things” with Fears in private.
“I have no idea. I do know that I thought there were a couple plays the other way, too, like jumping into a guy and getting a foul, when it was a complete joke,” Izzo said. “Michigan’s over. I’m moving on to Minnesota. I don’t care what Dusty says. … If anybody did anything dirty, tell them to call me and I will be more than happy to address it.”
Tom Izzo addressed Dusty May's criticism of Michigan State’s “dirty plays.”
— Michigan State Content (@msucontent) February 2, 2026
“I thought there were a couple plays the other way too.”
“Michigan’s over. I’m moving on to Minnesota. I don’t care what Dusty says.”
“If anybody did anything dirty, tell him to call me. I would be… pic.twitter.com/uYEgaU4ojv
Friday’s game was a physical one, with Michigan taking a big lead, surviving a furious comeback, and holding on for a road win. Still, the moment between Fears and Lendeborg did stand out, but animosity between the two teams is certainly growing. That was the case even before the game.
Michigan and Michigan State are set for a rematch in Ann Arbor on March 8 to wrap up the regular season. It should be one to watch.
