Rapid Reaction: Cotton’s New Facet Leads PC to Victory in Puerto Rico

Much has been made about Providence’s luck, or lack thereof, over the past six months, but they certainly caught a big break when Bryce Cotton decided to return to PC amid rumors of a transfer last spring.  His return was critical for this group, while the continued development in his game is stunning.

It seemed unlikely that Cotton could make another sizable jump in production after a quantum leap from his freshman to sophomore seasons.  He made more three point field goals (77) than he took as a freshman, finishing with the third highest total of three point makes in Providence history, and tying for tops in the Big East last season.  He closed the season a 14 point per game scorer, shooting nearly 38% from three and 90% at the free throw line.

The problem was, if Cotton’s offense didn’t come from beyond the arc or at the stripe he was somewhat limited last year, as over half of his made field goals came from three.  From the day he stepped on campus Cotton always had an excellent floater, but he was unable to get past his man off of the dribble with any consistency.

Need proof?  In Big East play last season he made one two point field goal or less in 10 of PC’s 18 conference games.

Now a junior, Cotton has battled through sprains to both his thumb and ankle to average 24.5 points per game after his first four games this season, leading Providence to a 3-1 record in games he’s been active in.  With an improved handle, Cotton has transitioned into the lead guard role with ease, and he’s scoring in different ways now.

Questionable with the ankle injury coming in, the junior was outstanding in Providence’s 72-67 victory over UNC-Asheville on Sunday morning in Puerto Rico, scoring 30 points, grabbing five rebounds and handing out five assists, while only turning the ball over once in 40 minutes.

And he did it differently on Sunday, as nine of his 11 made field goals came from within the three point arc, as he carved up Asheville’s defense and finished on a variety of difficult layups and floaters in the paint.

Looking for a sign of the impact of God Shammgod’s return to the program?  Cotton leveraged the crossover move Shammgod made famous throughout his career, flashing ball handling capabilities that simply didn’t exist a year ago.

The result is a guard who has improved more than any Friar since Herb Hill exploded over the final year and a half of his Providence career.

Cotton decided his Providence career would continue in the spring, fortunately for the Friars.  He’s not only filled in admirably for Vincent Council, but he’s carried this team in his absence.

1. Overshadowed by the outstanding day of Cotton, Kadeem Batts finished with his second double double in a row (15 points, 10 rebounds).  Batts has had his face-up jump shot working since the Friars kicked off exhibition play, but he’s also been more assertive with his back to the basket — finishing in traffic, and through contact far more effectively than in the past two seasons.  Through five games he’s averaging over 17 points and nine rebounds a game, and he’s providing a paper-thin Providence front line with a much-needed interior presence.

2. Rebounding woes continue: A critical offensive rebound cost Providence at the horn against Massachusetts on Friday night, while on Sunday they gave up a whopping 19 offensive rebounds.  That Providence was able to win while giving up that many second chances in addition to surrendering 20 turnovers is a surprise.

Lee Goldsbrough may have played his way past Brice Kofane on the depth chart.  For the next month there will be no depth, so both will continue to see big minutes, but Goldsbrough is more sure handed offensively, and is better positioned on defense and on the glass.  Kofane struggled in both areas throughout the invitational.

Not to be forgotten was Goldsbrough’s critical jump shot to put Providence ahead by a point with 2:25 left on the clock.  He also drew a key charge in the second half and forced a double dribble by cornering an Asheville guard after a turnover.

3. Freshman night for Fortune: While Josh Fortune’s seven turnovers against Penn State could be excused (he played 45 minutes out of position at point guard with Cotton down), but his eight tonight were often momentum-builders for Asheville.  Perhaps a positive sign, after being benched for committing an ugly turnover late in the second half, Fortune returned to the game and immediately stuck a difficult step back jumper with just over five minutes to play to give PC the lead back at 59-58.

4. Settling in for Henton: LaDontae Henton was far more efficient on Sunday, making 5-9 from the field and 3-5 from three point range en route to a 15 point, 10 rebound, three steal double double.

Henton has rushed a number of three point attempts early in this season, but he made an absolutely critical play thanks in large part to his patience late in the second half.  The ball swung to the sophomore forward at the top of the key with four minutes to play and the Friars up a point.  It looked as though he would launch from deep, but he up faked and stepped in for a closer look at the top of the key that he knocked down.

5. What it means: The Friars leave Puerto Rico having lost a pair of heart-breakers to UMass and Penn State, but they remained composed over the final final five minutes Sunday to earn their only win of the invitational.

Providence trailed with 2:30 remaining, but Goldbrough’s jumper and a driving layup by Cotton pushed them ahead by three with 1:38 remaining.  Asheville was held to one made field goal over the final three minutes of the game.

Ed Cooley’s group heads home at 3-2 on the season, ending a busy eight day span in which they played five games.  Their next five games take place over a full month.  The Friars play just one game in the upcoming week – against Fairfield on Friday – and then a very winnable game versus Holy Cross follows four days later.

From there, Providence closes the first semester with three home games (Mississippi State, Rhode Island and Colgate) before Sidiki Johnson will be eligible to join a froncourt that badly needs him.

Only time will tell if Council and McDonald’s All American freshman Kris Dunn will be healthy enough to join him by then.

Email Kevin at kevin.farrahar@friarbasketball.com

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