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A Look Back at an Epic vs. Marquette

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The last time Providence played in a home game as significant as this afternoon’s against Marquette came three years ago against the very same Golden Eagles.

You know today’s stakes. Providence is back on the bubble after three straight wins over Butler, Xavier, and Creighton, and a win today gives them a sweep over another team pushing for a bid.

Three years ago, it was Senior Night for a special group of Friars, led by Bryce Cotton and Kadeem Batts, who decided not to transfer after Keno Davis was fired and Ed Cooley hired. They eventually went on to win the Big East Championship, but everything about Senior Night against Marquette felt do-or-die.

Times were different then — far different. The Friars hadn’t played in the NCAA Tournament in a decade, and the Dunk roared from the opening tip through two overtime periods before Providence pulled out a thrilling one-point victory.

The level of play and back-and-forth nature of this game have been forgotten by many in Providence, as the Friars have elevated their program and played in a number of memorable games since.

Still, this one deserves its place in Friar lore because of what it meant to not only the program, but the players who led its turnaround.

It was Cotton’s farewell and it exemplified everything that made him an all-timer.

50 minutes played, 25 points, nine assists, seven rebounds, and 15 shots at the foul line. With the Friars trailing by a point with under ten seconds to play in double overtime, Cotton caused a tie-up and was fouled on the ensuing inbounds pass. He made both shots to put PC up for good.

Sophomore LaDontae Henton played 48 minutes, scored 20 points, and grabbed 16 boards.

Carson Desrosiers and Kadeem Batts combined to block eight shots, and Josh Fortune made a pair of four-point plays in the second half, including one in the final 30 seconds of regulation.

After the final horn sounded Cotton was embraced by Kris Dunn, who tried to play through an injured shoulder earlier in the year, but lasted just four games. What could have been.

Batts and Henton hugged at center court, and Cotton pointed to his brother in the stands before heading to the locker room and stepping off Dave Gavitt Court for the final time.

This afternoon at the Dunk the Friars are once again on the NCAA Tournament bubble and need to defeat Marquette to keep their hopes alive. Let’s hope we get something close to what we saw in 2014.

Twitter: @Kevin_Farrahar

Email: kevin.farrahar@friarbasketball.com

3 Comments

  1. Derec Lamenxola

    February 25, 2017 at 2:20 pm

    Providence College Mens Basketball Has TO Win Tonight

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  3. Derec Lamenxola

    February 25, 2017 at 2:31 pm

    Providence College Mens Basketball Has To Win Tonight And Bscuase Im Bone Redey We Need Every One Strom The Cort So And We Have To Coach Cooley Has To Win Have A Team. MEEDING providence Got Win This Year In The Tourmment Providence College Mens Basketball.Ed Cooley Got Derec Lamdndola Plerys

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