Michigan State's Jase Richardson, Jeremy Fears Jr. prioritize recovery ahead of Elite 8
ATLANTA — Michigan State guards Jase Richardson and Jeremy Fears Jr. made sure to start their recovery by walking around Saturday’s media day with ice bags on their knees ahead of their Elite Eight game against Auburn.
Richardson has been icing his knees since high school after watching dad Jason’s experiences with a series of knee issues.
Jason Richardson underwent autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) surgery to repair cartilage in his knee in 2013 and microfracture surgery on the same knee the following year. Bone spurs in his knee led to Richardson’s retirement in 2015.
That’s stuck with Jase.
“Being with him through those surgeries, I remember going to rehab and watching him work out while he was trying to get back healthy,” he said. “I saw the recovery that he did on his body, and still, it didn’t do a lot. So that just taught me I have to keep constantly taking care of my body, keep constantly working on myself and recovery.”
For Fears, he quickly learned the move to collegiate basketball also meant more wear and tear.
“When I first stepped on the college floor, playing with (seniors) Malik (Hall) and AJ (Hoggard), guys that were much older than me, they’re much more physically ready, played in college and experienced,” Fears said. “Me taking those hits as an 18-year-old, not knowing what to expect, it’s kind of taxing on your body.”
The Spartans have played 36 games this season and have a quick turnaround before they face Auburn in the Elite Eight on Sunday.
“You only get a day’s rest, and that doesn’t do a lot when you’ve already played 30-something games into the season,” Jase said.
Michigan State vs. Auburn time, TV channel
- Time: 5:05 p.m. ET Sunday
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: Fubo (free trial)
Gunter Schroeder is a student in the University of Georgia's Sports Media Certificate program.