At the beginning of St. Peter’s 2021-2022 basketball season, less than 500 people were typically in attendance.
A few months later, the team NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Play in front of thousands of fans in an unprecedented run.
peacock shocked sports world By becoming the first No. 15 seed to advance to the Elite Eight. They also aimed to make more history. final fourSt. Peters ultimately fell short of the semi-final round of the 83-year-old tournament, but managed to inspire fans across the country rooting for the underdogs.
Let’s take a look back at the Peacocks’ incredible run.
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NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Round 1 vs No. 2 Kentucky
St. Peter’s Peacocks guard Matthew Lee passes Kentucky Wildcats guard Sirville Wheeler March 17, 2022 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
(Zach Bollinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The 15th-seeded Peacocks’ first Test of the tournament was against No. 2. kentucky wildcatsSt. Peter’s guard Darryl Banks III led with 27 points, while underdog Peacocks delivered an unlikely 85-79 upset in overtime.
This victory seemed to epitomize the uniqueness of March Madness. St. Peter’s basketball budget is well below the annual salary of Kentucky head coach John Calipari. A small Jesuit school in New Jersey was able to beat him to one of college basketball’s perennial Blue Bloods. Since the tournament was expanded in 1985, the No. 15 seed has beaten the No. 2 seed only nine times in the history of the tournament.
NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Round 2 vs. No. 7 Murray State University
The St. Peters Players celebrate their victory over the Murray State Racers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on March 19, 2022.
(Jamie Sabau/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
Just two days later, St. Peters once again broke the hearts of Kentuckians by defeating the 7th seed. murray state racer 70-60 in the second round of the tournament.
The Peacocks earned a spot in the Sweet 16. It was his 2021 when Oral Roberts accomplished the feat and the last time a 15 seed made it to the regional semifinals. The 2013 Florida Gulf Coast is his only other 15 seed to play in the regional semifinals.
Murray State entered the game with 21 straight wins. The Racers had an impressive season, with only three defeats before falling to St Peters in the tournament.
The Sweet Sixteen vs. No. 3 Purdue
KC Ndefo of the St. Peter’s Peacocks dribbles the ball as Mason Gillis of the Purdue Boilermakers defends at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia March 25, 2022.
(Tim Nuwachuk/Getty Images)
Supporters of the Underdog Program traveled from New Jersey to Philadelphia by plane, train and car to see their teams compete in the Sweet 16.
The fans were rewarded with a historic victory.peacock Kill the 3rd seed Purdue Boilermakers I went 67-64 and advanced to the Elite Eight. St. Peters became the first No. 15 seed to reach the regional finals.
The crowd inside the Wells Fargo Center erupted when Darryl Banks III hit a turnaround jump shot to tie the game 57-all. Banks went on to score the game’s go-ahead baskets to lead the Peacocks to victory.
At this point in the tournament, Saint Peter’s seemed used to running when it mattered.
Elite Eight vs. No. 8 North Carolina
Clarence waves to the crowd after the St. Peters Peacocks lose 69-49 to the North Carolina Tar Heels during the Elite 8 Round of the NCAA Tournament at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on March 27, 2022. Rupert.
(Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
8th seed North Carolina Tar Heels He jumped to the early lead and ended St. Peter’s sensational run in the tournament.
The Peacocks were at a disadvantage from the game’s first hint, failing to collect a single point in the first four minutes of the contest. St. Peters entered his locker room at halftime on his 38-19.
St. Peters failed to make a second-half comeback, ultimately losing 49-69.
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In less than two weeks, the St. Peter’s Men’s Basketball Team did the unthinkable. They won hearts across the country, flipped programs with far more resources, and made history.
After suffering a disappointing loss to North Carolina, the team retreated to the locker room and took the bus back to campus, returning to relative obscurity.
A lot will change for the team heading into the 2022-2023 season, but their magical run of March Madness won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
