PC’s Cotton Named All-American
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
After largely being ignored by the national media for much of the regular season, Bryce Cotton is finally getting some attention.
Now, of course, the pressure is on...because the spotlight is shining squarely on the Providence Friar senior guard. As PC prepares for this week's Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden in New York, the post-season honors are beginning to roll out, and Cotton's performance in leading Providence to a 20-win season has caught the attention of at least one major reporting agency.
NBCSports.com named Cotton a 2nd team all-American, joining Kyle Anderson (UCLA), Nick Johnson (Arizona), Cleanthony Early (Wichita State) and Andrew Wiggins (Kansas) on the squad.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTCotton is the 26th Friar all-time to earn an All-American honor. The most recent All-American from PC was Marshon Brooks, who earned Associated Press 3rd team All-American honors in 2011.
Cotton, a 1st team all-Big East selection, earns the honor after ranking second in the Big East in scoring (21.7 ppg, 23.4 ppg in conference play), only behind 1st team All-American Doug McDermott. The senior became the Big East assist champion with a 6.1 average in league contests. Prior to his All-American honor this week, Cotton was named a Big East 1st teamer for a second straight season. He was one of three members of the 1st team to be a unanimous selection, and joins former Friar Ryan Gomes (2004 and 2005) as only the second Friar ever to earn two All-Big East 1st team accolades.
"We're getting ready for a tough Providence team," St. John's head coach Steve Lavin said Monday, as his team begins preparing for a 3rd meeting with the Friars this Thursday, "and Bryce Cotton is one of the best guards in the country. He's as tough as they come, and presents quite a challenge."
The senior leads the nation in minutes played, averaging 40.1 minutes. He averaged 41.9 minutes per Big East contest, and could become the first player in the nation to average more than 40 minutes per game since Chris Quinn of Notre Dame achieved the feat in 2005-06. Cotton also is tied for ninth in the nation in scoring (21.7).
NBCSPORTS.COM FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICAN
Doug McDermott, Creighton (26.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 44.7% 3PT)
Sean Kilpatrick, Cincinnati (20.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg)
Russ Smith, Louisville (17.5 ppg, 4.8 apg, 3.5 rpg, 2.0 spg, 39.4% 3PT)
Jabari Parker, Duke (19.2 ppg, 9.0 rpg)
Shabazz Napier, UConn (17.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 5.2 apg, 1.8 spg, 40.7% 3PT)
SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICAN
Kyle Anderson, UCLA (14.9 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 6.7 apg, 48.0% 3PT)
Nick Johnson, Arizona (16.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg)
Bryce Cotton, Providence (21.7 ppg, 5.9 apg)
Cleanthony Early, Wichita State (16.0 ppg, 5.9 rpg)
Andrew Wiggins, Kansas (16.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.2 spg)
THIRD TEAM ALL-AMERICAN
T.J. Warren, N.C. State (24.2 ppg, 6.9 rpg):
DeAndre Kane, Iowa State (17.1 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 5.9 apg)
Nik Stauskas, Michigan (17.4 ppg, 3.4 apg, 3.3 rpg, 45.8% 3PT)
Cameron Bairstow, New Mexico (20.3 ppg, 7.2 rpg)
Melvin Ejim, Iowa State (18.2 ppg, 8.6 rpg)
