“I think there were several plays that are very dangerous,” May said. “I’m incredibly proud of our guys for the response they had to some of those situations. I’m incredibly proud of their self-control, restraint and impulse-control … they weren’t isolated incidents. The film is there, 40 minutes of it. It’s not hard to find.”
May appeared to be frustrated with Fears’ actions, which seemingly crossed a line from being physical to dirty at times. In addition to committing multiple “dangerous” plays, Fears also got tangled up with Michigan players on other occasions.
On Monday afternoon, Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo was asked about May’s recent comments and the incidents involving Fears.
“No insult to you, I don’t care what Dusty says, I don’t care what they say,” Izzo said. “There were some things Jeremy did, I addressed on it. Him and (Michigan’s) point guard (Elliot Cadeau) were going at it pretty good, that’s what happens in games like this. If anybody did anything dirty, tell him to call me and I’d be more than happy to address it. If it was physical play, that’s the way that game’s always going to be.”
The in-state rivalry between Michigan and Michigan State is always a physical matchup, but there appeared to have been multiple plays by Fears that crossed a line, especially when he attempted to trip Lendeborg. It remains to be seen if the Big Ten will get involved and reprimand or warn Fears for his actions, but there’s no doubt there will be an additional layer of bitterness when the rivals square off again in March.