Michigan State needs improved shooting, and Jeremy Fears can help

NEW YORK - Michigan State has a shot to capture a second red letter victory over a strong, athletic SEC team on Tuesday when the No. 17 Spartans face No. 12 Kentucky in the Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden.  In order to get it done, the Spartans will need to do something they have not done thus far in the young season - shoot the ball well. Michigan State ranks No. 358 in the country in 3-point shooting (fourth from last), at 21.6 percent accuracy. Michigan State survived 1-of-14 shooting from 3-point range to defeat Arkansas on Nov. 8. But the Spartans likely won’t be as fortunate against the Wildcats, if the Spartans’ shooting woes don’t improve. Ironically, point guard Jeremy Fears enjoyed the best shooting performance of his career in Thursday's victory over San Jose State, scoring a career-high 15 points, and doing uncommonly good damage from 3-point range (3-of-5).  Fears can’t shoot 60 percent from deep on most days (no one can), but if he can settle in to being a 33-plus percent shooter from beyond the arch with more frequent and opportune attempts, he will emerge as one of the best point guards in the Big Ten and provide major steps toward helping the Spartans make a run at successfully defending its conference championship. But first, this date with the Wildcats. (MORE inside SpartanMag. Join SpartanMag now - $1 for the first week - and enjoy a complimentary year of The Athletic included with your membership.)