Two days after busting brackets everywhere with a stunning upset of Kentucky, the Saint Peter’s Peacocks were at it again.
They became the third No. 15 seed to reach the Sweet 16 with a 70-60 upset of No. 7 Murray State.
SAINT PETER'S TO THE SWEET 16! THIS. IS. MARCH. pic.twitter.com/LLTuAqSCM7
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) March 20, 2022
The game was close throughout, but Saint Peter’s was always in control. The Peacocks never trailed and led throughout the second half.
While not on the scale of the win over Kentucky, beating Murray State was still surprising. It drew a big reaction on Twitter from those watching the game.
Not so fast 🛑#MarchMadness #Sweet16 pic.twitter.com/Mtd0JCWf4K
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 20, 2022
St Peters is no longer New Jersey’s team. They’re America’s team.
— Nolan Elkin (@nolan_elkin_17) March 20, 2022
This is the entirety of the St Peters fanbase in attendance and they’re going nuts and I love it. pic.twitter.com/OrrKUs9vwJ
— 🇺🇦charlie “sharty” jones (@DisrspktdSharty) March 20, 2022
Two straight teams from Kentucky overlook St. Peters in the same weekend.
— Michael Casagrande (@ByCasagrande) March 20, 2022
I’m riding with the Peacocks!!!!! #StPeters !!!!!! 15 seed!!!! Sweet 16!!!!
— Kristina Werner (@KristinasCall) March 20, 2022
St. Peter’s to the Sweet 16 pic.twitter.com/p3YgGWoCOk
— bencaa tournament 🇺🇦 (@VT_Ben) March 20, 2022
St. Peter’s 😯 #MarchMadness
— Chido Nwokocha (@Yea_imChido) March 20, 2022
St. Peter’s. Wow. What a story.
— Frank Frangie (@Frank_Frangie) March 20, 2022
So, what lies ahead for Saint Peter’s. The Peacocks will take on the winner of Saturday’s game between Pudue and Texas. Saint Peter’s will again be the underdog. But while the first two games of the tournament were at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis — much closer t0 the campuses of Kentucky and Murray State — the Peacocks will have more of a home-court advantage.
St Peters will play Purdue or Texas 85 miles from their campus in Philadelphia. There will be so many damn people from Jersey City there.
— Sam (@smcgohon21) March 20, 2022
History, however, is not on Saint Peter’s’ side. The previous two No. 15 seeds to reach the Sweet 16 were Florida Gulf Coast in 2013 and Oral Roberts in 2021. Both lost. So, the Peacocks will need to break trends if they’re going to reach the Elite Eight.
But if this program has taught us nothing else, it’s perfectly capable of defying expectations and making history.
