EAST LANSING – Tom Izzo believed in Carson Cooper from the jump.
Enough so that the longtime Michigan State coach gave an unranked recruit from Jackson a shot to play in the Big Ten.
Cooper’s presence in the paint led to an opportunity and he’s now looking to expand that role as a senior and recently named co-captain. The 6-foot-11, 245-pound center plans on becoming a 3-point threat, but the guy in charge has reservations…