Kudos again to the Cinderella men’s basketball program of Saint Peter’s University

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — A dateline, why not?

And why not enclose the manner in which the 15th-seeded Saint Peter’s University men’s basketball team pulled off back-to-back stunning upsets over the likes of 2nd-seeded Kentucky and 7th-seeded Murray State. Well, you could say they were down the same road, for the Peacocks took charge of both games, never losing their way in the first and second rounds, and playing not just like the Metro Athletic Association Conference champions, but like a program playing like it had been there before.

And at the small private Catholic Jesuit School campus in Jersey City Saturday night, they were rocking. Renamed for now as the “Run Baby Run,” court, at Yanitelli Center it was a full house hugging, jumping up and down, yelling, and whatever else they could do to support these two NCAA Tournament nights never before seen at the school.

But at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, from the 76-69 overtime thriller over Kentucky, this time it was a 70-60 masterpiece over Murray State to unbelievably land in the Sweet 16 Philadelphia Region. Philly? Only about an hour and one-half ride down the New Jersey Turnpike. Getting there? Well, the Peacocks became only the fourth 15th-seed to get that far, and now awaits the survivor between 3rd-seeded Purdue and 5th-seeded Texas.  This was also labeled the fourth biggest upset in the NCAA tournament along with three other 15th seeds.

There had been some other quality wins through the years of the program, as in the National Invitational Tournament at Madison Square Garden. The 20-point halftime shocker over highly ranked Duke that turned into a impressive victory, the close game lost in the final minutes against highly ranked Kansas and Jo Jo White, and there was another highlight when Rich Rinaldi let loose with a fling over his shoulder that became a basket. I was sitting there alongside former Saint Peter’s guard Tony Holm from Weehawken, and he was injury sidelined for the season, but felt great when he saw this.

There might have been more stellar times but nothing to surpass this. Not only did it become the first time the school won an NCAA game in its fourth try, but everything else fit right in, everything else was brand new as it improved its overall record to 20-11 and ran its win streak to nine games.

And it was another team effort for a group that lacks size but is crafty with the ball on offense, plays tight on defense, does its share of rebounding, blocks shots, and importantly converts foul shots, as in a 24-15 advantage this game. While Murray State was missing freebies, Saint Peter’s was making its last six attempts.

Against Kentucky, it trailed only once. This time, it led from start from finish, never panicked, just played their game and again outplayed the huge favorite higher seed.

There was 6-foot-3 junior wing Daryl Banks tossing in double figures (16 points) for the second-straight game, and he added four assists and the same number of steals. There was 6-7 senior forward KC Ndefo adding a dozen points to go with seven boards. There was 6-2 junior guard Doug Edert finding open shots for a quartet of 3s and 16 points, and making 8-of-10 foul shots down the stretch, to go with five steals. There was 6-7 junior forward Hassan Drame bringing down 10 rebounds, blocking five shots, and tallying 14 points.

“Run Baby Run” was originated in the Don Kennedy coaching years, especially in the 1967-1968 years with the likes of Bob Leckie, Ken Grant, Pete O’Day, Elnardo Webster, Ed Strong, and the others who ran, ran, ran and was a tough task for mostly all opponents. These years are history. These two NCAAshockers were even more historic, and if they ever accomplish this again, it will again make the national headlines.

During the regular season, the blue and white Peacocks lost four times, once by a point, once by two, and twice by three. Their closest win was by two points. Shateen Holloway, the 6th-year head coach, played at Seton Hall University and experienced time in the NCAATournament.

This time, he did a masterful job of coaching this team through these two rounds, giving his players a mouthful at times, and smiling and laughing with them other times. When the final buzzer sounded after disposing of the Wildcats coached by John Calipari, the team showed its excitement with handshakes among them, waved to their cheering fans in the stands, and happily took off for their locker room, but after the Murray State final buzzer, it was much more. This time, the players hugged, high-fived,

posed for photos, and there was Hollowayjoining in.

What now? Well, they will face in Philadelphia the winner of the game between 3rd-seeded Purdue and 5th-seeded Texas. That’s the magical Sweet 16.

In the Kentucky game, the Peacocks trailed only once. Against Murray State, they led from start to finish. They received another crafty game from point guard, 6-foot junior Matthew Lee. He handed out seven assists, came up with four steals, and put in eight points. He just brought the ball up and avoided turnovers.

It was again a team effort.

Then there was 6-7 senior forward KC Ndefoturning in 12 points and taking down nine rebounds to go with four blocks. There was 6-7 junior forward Hassan Drame scrubbing the boards for a dozen rebounds, making three blocks, and adding 13 points. There was 6-2 junior guard Doug Edert finding open shots and sending up four 3s, converting 8-of-10 free throws down the stretch, and totally sconred14 points. Then there was 6-3 junior guard Daryl Banks III coming up with his second-straight double figures by tossing in 13 this time and pulling down six boards. There was some quality bench strength when late fouls occurred.

And in Jersey City, the state’s second largest city, they are probably still celebrating. I mean, this was the time they never took part in anything like this, so why not rejoice with kudos and fun for their small school’s achievement.

Princeton’s women, the 11th seed and Ivy League champion, made it 2-for-2 for the Garden State when they eliminated the 6th-seeded Kentucky women in the first round Saturday, and next plays 3rd-seeded Indiana.