Kearney continues to earn playing time through hard work during practice and solid play on the court in the few minutes he receives.

Izzo said something hit Kearney in mid-December.

“He wanted to get rid of the idea of being a soft kid, and to be honest with you I thought he was a little soft coming out of high school,” Izzo said. “But I think he’s made a negative a positive. He just kind of vowed that it’s not going to be a problem. He’s got length and intelligence, he’s probably right behind (senior forward Draymond Green) as one of the smartest basketball players on the team.”

Kearney said he knew he’s had to come out and play every game with confidence.

“I’ve been looking forward to every game,” he said. “Just trying to prove to coach that I can go out and contribute the team. That’s the main thing, that I can contribute now and not wait until next year.”

The limited playing time and increasing production is reminiscent of the unquestioned team leader this year — Green.

Green averaged 3.3 points and 3.3 rebounds a game his freshman year in 11.4 minutes. Kearney averages 1.5 points and a rebound a game in 7.8 minutes, but those stats steadily are increasing.

“He actually brought it up yesterday in one of our meetings. He said as the season went along, he kept working, kept getting better,” Kearney said of Green. “And then he started getting more minutes. That’s some of the things I pay attention to. I just wanna keep on working and getting better.”

Green said Kearney does indeed bring memories of himself to mind.

“I was one of those guys who was in pretty much the same situation that he was in as a freshman, so I definitely understand it,” Green said. “I know I never lost my confidence. Playing on the scout team, it helps you build confidence as well.

“If I can compete with Keith Appling every day, who can’t I compete with? It was the same thing for me. If I can come out here and I can compete with Goran Suton and Delvon (Roe) and all these guys every day, and sometimes I kill them, why can’t I compete with anybody else?”

Although Green said it took some convincing to see that the “soft” reputation wasn’t true, some Spartans already knew.

Junior center Derrick Nix said the skinny frame would put off the image of being soft, but high school games against Kearney allowed him to see otherwise.

“He always scored double-figures against Pershing,” Nix said. “If you can score double-figures against Pershing you’re not soft at all. He probably worked the hardest on the team (Tuesday) and that’s a sign of his character.”

Kearney has made process, but the journey is far from over.

“Still gotta keep on working, never get satisfied,” Green said. “But he’s proved a lot to me.”