“It Was a Strange Feeling” – Carson Cooper’s honest take after MSU's six-point win over Ohio State
Despite a career night against Ohio State, the senior big man calls for sharper focus and player-led accountability down the stretch
Sitting in front of a dozen media members in the locker room following MSU's 66-60 victory over Ohio State, Carson Cooper did not sound like someone who had just scored a career-high 20 points in an important conference win for the Spartans.
The box score showed Cooper at 7-for-10 from the field, 6-for-6 from the line, 11 rebounds, and 34 minutes - a senior center delivering when his team needed him.
But Cooper’s first word about the night?
“It was kind of a strange feeling for sure.”
That was the tone of the entire conversation that followed.
“I felt like we played stagnant for the majority of the game,” he said. “I don’t think the energy was there from our team, myself included.”
The numbers tell part of the story. Michigan State shot 40 percent from the field, just 4-for-15 from three, and turned it over 10 times. They scored 43 points in the second half after managing only 23 before the break. Jaxon Kohler battled foul trouble. The offense never fully clicked. And yet, they won.
“Obviously, we escaped with a win,” Cooper said. “So right now it’s just trying to learn as much as we can from that and how to prevent it in the future.”
A First Half That Didn’t Match the Week
The frustration started before halftime.
