WHAT IF?: Could Jeremy Fears stock RISING at NBA Combine impact MSU basketball return?
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The fate of Michigan State basketball's future hinges on Jeremy Fears' NBA draft decision, with his performance at the NBA Combine significantly boosting his stock. Once seen as a near-certain return to MSU, Fears' 17-point scrimmage showing, improved shooting metrics (47% from three in last 10 games), and strong defensive self-assessment have raised his draft stock to a projected 47th overall in ESPN's mock draft—pushing his NBA draft return odds to 8.3%. Yet, despite the momentum, the host remains confident he’ll come back, citing the massive financial upside of staying in college thanks to the NIL era, where even late first-round picks earn $2.7M. The real concern? If Fears leaves, MSU’s projected national ranking could plummet from 6th to 19th, with a weakened offense and no true floor general beyond freshman Carlos Medlock. Meanwhile, the mailbag tackles football’s 2026 outlook: Samson Gash, a four-star speedster from Detroit, is the only realistic freshman impact candidate at wide receiver, given the position’s depth issues. The most anticipated game? A razor-close, emotionally charged showdown with Northwestern, fueled by Pat Fitzgerald’s return and Aiden Childs’ redemption arc. On baseball, the host delivers a sobering reality: despite fan passion, baseball remains a low-priority program due to its lack of revenue potential and national reach, with no realistic path to a College World Series title or financial return.
Jeremy Fears’ NBA draft stock rose to 8.3% chance of staying due to 17-point scrimmage performance and 47% 3PT shooting in final 10 games.
Even with a projected 47th pick in ESPN’s mock draft, the NIL era makes returning to MSU financially more attractive than a late first-round NBA salary.
If Fears leaves, MSU’s projected national ranking could drop from 6th to 19th, with offense falling from 7th to 33rd in Bart Torvik projections.
Samson Gash is the only realistic freshman impact player in 2026, given MSU’s depleted and unproven wide receiver room.
The most fun game of 2026 is predicted to be the Northwestern matchup, driven by Pat Fitzgerald’s return and Aiden Childs’ redemption arc.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Intro & Everydayer Club Pitch
The episode opens with a promotional segment for the Everydayer Club, an ad-free, Discord-enabled subscription service for fans of the Locked On Podcast Network.
Jeremy Fears’ NBA Draft Stock Rises
“I did not say 50. I did not say 60%. No, I still think it's a long shot. But man, things are looking good for our guy Jeremy Fears.”
Why Fears Might Still Return to MSU
Despite rising draft stock, the host argues Fears will return due to NIL compensation likely exceeding late first-round NBA salaries and the lack of a true floor general in the 2027 roster.
The Domino Effect of Fears Leaving
“This would be a team that would be fighting for its life to make the NCAA tournament with just one true ball handler being a true freshman in Carlos Medlock.”
Mailbag: Football Freshman Impact
Samson Gash is identified as the only realistic freshman impact player in 2026 due to MSU’s weak and inexperienced wide receiver corps.
“Give me something squirrely like a 26-23 overtime victory against Northwestern for that one. That's right. MSU misses four field goals in regulation, but finally... They drill a 28-yarder on the hash in overtime to win it after an Aiden Childs turnover in the first possession of their overtime.”
“Even a College World Series run wouldn’t move the financial needle for MSU, making it an unattractive investment.”
“This would be a team that would be fighting for its life to make the NCAA tournament with just one true ball handler being a true freshman in Carlos Medlock.”
Host
michigan state spartans
other
jeremy fears
person
nba combine
other
northwestern
other
samson gash
person
aiden childs
person
pat fitzgerald
person
notre dame
other
michigan
other
espn
organization
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