Fears Jr. Nears Magic Johnson's Assist Record

Michigan State's Jeremy Fears Jr. is on the cusp of surpassing a significant record held by basketball legend Magic Johnson. As of March 5, 2026, Fears Jr. needs only six more assists to move into third place on the school's single-season assists list. He leads the nation with an average of 9.1 assists per game this season, demonstrating his exceptional court vision and passing prowess.

Coach Tom Izzo praised Fears Jr.'s development, noting his ability to elevate his teammates' performance, a trait he shares with past Michigan State greats like Johnson and Mateen Cleaves. Fears Jr. has also been a consistent scorer, averaging 15.1 points per game and scoring in double figures for 17 consecutive games.

The No. 8 Spartans (24-5 overall, 14-4 Big Ten) are currently enjoying a four-game winning streak, positioning themselves for a potential triple bye in the upcoming Big Ten tournament. They are tied with Nebraska for second place in the conference with only two regular-season games remaining.

Rutgers (12-17, 5-13 Big Ten) remains a challenging opponent, despite their record. The Scarlet Knights previously pushed Michigan State to overtime in their January 27th matchup, a game where Fears Jr. scored 10 of his 29 points in the extra period. Coach Steve Pikiell emphasized the need for his team to play a full 40 minutes, acknowledging the Spartans' strong finish in their prior encounter.