What can Michigan State basketball do to replace Jeremy Fears?

Michigan State basketball will be without Jeremy Fears Jr. for the next few months. What can the Spartans do to replace him?

As you all know by now, Michigan State basketball guard Jeremy Fears suffered a leg injury from a gunshot while he was back home on break. He likely will miss the rest of the season, so others will have to step up.

This season, Fears averaged 3.5 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists across 15.6 minutes per game. These aren’t crazy stats that need to be replaced, but others will have to improve their game to make up for the significant playing time Fears was getting.

Here are three things Tom Izzo can do to replace Fears.

Move Malik Hall to the Three

This is my favorite option with Fears now out of the lineup. I think we will have to lean on AJ Hoggard, Tyson Walker, and Jaden Akins more now, but we still can’t run them into the ground. Malik Hall, who has been playing the four most of the season, could be an option at the three.

He has played this position in the past, so it shouldn’t be a huge adjustment for him. Hall can slide in at the three when one of Akins, Hoggard, or Walker need a break. I am very confident of any combination of those four in the three guard positions, and this lineup would especially do well if we need to go big against an opponent.

More Tre Holloman

One thing Fears has done extremely well this season is running the offense efficiently. I believe that Tre Holloman is someone who can step in and fill that role. He has played point guard well in the past and I have full faith in him doing it now.

If Tre is playing point guard for us, I don’t think he can be our main scoring option. That’s not me saying Tre can’t score, but I think his focus needs to only be on running the offense. So having someone like Walker or Hall in at the same time is critical because they can be guys that can create their own shot if the shot clock is winding down.

However, I think Tre is a much better player off the ball, and this leads me to my third option.

More Tyson at the one

I also think Tyson is at his best when he is playing off the ball. However, I think he may need to play some point guard as well now. As I just mentioned, I think Holloman playing off the ball is a more effective option for him. So having Tyson run the point at times can help accomplish that. Tyson is good enough where he can score and be effective playing point guard or off the ball. So that’s why this may be a better option than the last because I believe Tre is significantly more dangerous off the ball.

When AJ needs a break, sliding Tyson to the one and letting Tre do his thing at the two would be a really good option. Those two can score whenever they want, and even adding Akins in as well would make this lineup very dangerous.

Thankfully for MSU fans, Izzo is the coach. He knows what he’s doing and I have no doubt he will make the right choice in filling Fears’ void.