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Michigan State point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. appeared in only two Big Ten games as a true freshman last season before suffering non-life-threatening injuries from a gunshot wound to the leg.

One year later, he’s an unquestionable catalyst stirring the conference co-leaders, who will carry an eight-game winning streak into a Big Ten game vs. Northwestern on Sunday afternoon in Evanston, Ill.

“Jeremy’s like someone you would love to have on your team and hate to play against, so I’m happy he’s on my side,” teammate Jaden Akins said. “He brings that energy and effort and then just dog mentality to the team. When he has a matchup set in his mind, he’s going to do his best job to shut that guy down and make it a tough night for him.”

Fears Jr. helped spark the No. 16 Spartans to their latest victory, notching his first career double-double during Thursday’s 88-54 home rout of Washington.

While Akins scored 20 points to pace Michigan State (13-2, 4-0), Fears Jr. facilitated the attack by tying his career high with 10 assists to go with 12 points.

After contributing just three assists in limited conference action last season, Fears Jr. enters Sunday averaging 7.5 assists in Big Ten play while recording a steal in three of four games.

Spartans coach Tom Izzo continues to laud his point guard’s defensive intensity.

“When the front of your attack point is neutralized, that makes a big difference in the game,” Izzo said. “We’ve got a guy that can do that.”

The Spartans have limited opponents below 50 percent shooting from the field in all but one game this season.

Northwestern (10-5, 1-3), meanwhile, has started the calendar year with two straight conference losses on the road. The Wildcats have been idle since falling 79-61 at No. 20 Purdue last Sunday.

Wildcats coach Chris Collins hopes the Boilermakers didn’t unearth a blueprint for how to limit Brooks Barnhizer, whose 11 points on 4-of-15 shooting were well below his season scoring average of 19.3

“He was double- and triple-teamed every time he attacked, and that was smart, because look at what Brooks has been doing, you know,” Collins said. “They were playing the percentages, as well. They wanted him to be a passer, and they wanted to test our other guys. And we didn’t make them pay.”

While Barnhizer still contributed team highs in rebounds (eight) and assists (five), the scoring lead at Purdue went to freshman Angelo Ciaravino. His 19 points surpassed his previous career best of 12.

“He’s fearless. He’s athletic. He’s not afraid of the moment. He’s competitive,” Collins said.

Ciaravino and fellow freshman K.J. Windham combined for 40 minutes and may be eyeing an accelerated workload Sunday and beyond.

“With those guys, it’s about just sharpening up the little things, you know. The details of the defensive scheme, being in the right spots, the things we’re trying to do,” Collins said. “And the more they pick that up, the more they’re going to continue to play because both those kids have talent.”

The Wildcats are 4-2 in their past six games against the Spartans, including 2-1 at home.

–Field Level Media