The Peacocks downed Purdue, 67-64, in the round of 16 and became the first No. 15 seed to reach the round of 8. Kansas, a No. 1 seed, also advanced after defeating Providence.
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By Adam Zagoria and Mitch Smith
PHILADELPHIA — Time isn’t up for the biggest underdog of the N.C.A.A. men’s tournament just yet.
Tiny St. Peter’s University is alive and well and moving on to the final eight of the N.C.A.A. tournament after slaying yet another basketball powerhouse. Playing inspired defense and without any fear, the No. 15 seed Peacocks stunned No. 3 Purdue, 67-64, on Friday night before a crowd at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia that included many St. Peter’s fans who made the trip down the New Jersey Turnpike and roared in approval.
The Peacocks (22-11) will advance to face the winner between No. 4-seeded U.C.L.A. and No. 8 North Carolina in Sunday’s East regional final, with a chance to reach the Final Four in New Orleans. They have now knocked off No. 2 Kentucky, No. 3 Purdue and No. 7 Murray State to become the first seed 13 or lower to reach the final eight.
“I got a bunch of guys that just play basketball and have fun. That’s all we do,” St. Peter’s Coach Shaheen Holloway said in a television interview as his players drowned him out with jubilant celebrations.
THE ST. PETER’S PEACOCKS HAVE DONE IT
FIRST EVER 15-SEED TO ADVANCE TO THE ELITE EIGHT 🤯 pic.twitter.com/H8FMQJPrr5
The Peacocks captured national attention immediately after knocking off Kentucky — one of the national title favorites — before becoming just the third No. 15 seed to advance to the round of 16. St. Peter’s is the first New Jersey school to make it this far in the men’s tournament since Holloway was a point guard on the 2000 Seton Hall team.
“We’re happy but make no mistake, we’re not satisfied,” said guard Doug Edert, who finished with 10 points, including two clutch free throws in the final seconds. “We feel like we belong.”
The game was tight throughout with 15 lead changes and both teams trading control deep into the second half. Purdue, known for its big, tall, athletic players, outrebounded and outscored St. Peter’s inside, but the Peacocks found a way to win anyway.
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