Big East Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade (2013-23)

By Joey Loose | Jul 4, 2023

Dec 13, 2016; Villanova, PA, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Josh Hart (3) gets congratulations from head coach Jay Wright and guard Jalen Brunson (1) after leaving the game late in the second half against the Temple Owls at The Pavilion. Villanova defeated Temple, 78-57. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

4 of 26

Big East Basketball Providence Friars guard Bryce Cotton Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

23. Bryce Cotton

A 6’1 guard originally from Tucson, Arizona, Cotton was actually recruited to Providence well over a decade ago by Keno Davis. He barely played as a freshman and stuck around with the Friars after Ed Cooley was hired in 2011. Cotton was an important weapon for the next three seasons, with increased productivity. We can only focus on his senior year, which happened after 2013, and that year alone was quite the story.

Cotton averaged 21.8 points and 5.9 assists and played nearly every single minute for the Friars in a high-impact season. Not only did he have a plethora of standout performances, but he helped lead Providence to the Big East Basketball Tournament title and their first trip to the NCAA Tournament in a decade. He had a few double-doubles and scored a career-high 36 points in his final game, a Tourney loss to North Carolina.

Among the nation leaders in points and assists per game, it’s not shocking to know that Cotton was named First Team All-Big East and played a major role in Providence’s success. He was the clear Big East Tournament MVP and led a major breakthrough early in Cooley’s career with the Friars. He was a great outside shooter and all-around fantastic weapon for a Providence squad that started to turn things around at the end of his time there.

Home/Big East