Bryce Cotton steals Big East spotlight for Providence in victory

Bryce Cotton played all 40 minutes against Creighton, scoring 23 huge points.

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Bryce Cotton got the net around his neck, and, he said, vindication that Providence belonged in the NCAA tournament. He had stated a few times at this Big East tournament that he began the season thinking these Friars were special, but couldn't figure out why they were special. Asked after Saturday's game if he finally knew the reason, Cotton surveyed the joyous scene playing out in front of him and said only, "Here it is." It was an answer open to interpretation, and so here is one: Providence, like its point guard, was destined for a late peak.