Saint Peter’s isn't a Cinderella anymore. The Peacocks can win the national title. | Opinion
PHILADELPHIA – The March Madness team of destiny forged ahead Friday night, as Saint Peter’s shocked the world again in the latest chapter of an incredible story that transcends sports.
And with the historic victory by the unheralded Peacocks over No. 3 Purdue, taking down the Big Ten power, 67-64, a national championship is now in play.
What was once an unthinkable dream is now a realistic goal for a program from a tiny Jersey City, New Jersey, school that had never so much as won an NCAA Tournament game before this March.
Now the 15th-seeded Peacocks are the highest seed ever to reach the Elite Eight.
It’s time for everyone outside the Peacocks’ locker room to take off those one-game-at-a-time blinkers and start looking at the big picture.
Even if you thought Kentucky overlooked the Peacocks, and Murray State was overrated, what now?
Purdue had the look of one of the best teams in the country all season, rising to No. 1 in December and eventually losing to a red-hot Iowa team in the Big Ten final.
National championship: Why not?
Purdue’s really good, and now they’re out, just like each of Saint Peter’s first three opponents.
So why not the Peacocks?
They’ll always have the Cinderella moniker, but their performances make them look like a team that truly belongs.
It’s been an historic run in so many ways. From the Saint Peter’s size, with around 3,000 students, to its humble March Madness pedigree, to its roster of underrecruited players keeping company with college basketball’s elite.
Now they’re one win away from the Final Four. Anything is possible at this point.
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As a story for the ages played out, the crowd inside the Wells Fargo Center was standing in unison, supporting the Peacocks.
You can’t make this stuff up.
After Foussyeni Drame drained a 3-pointer from the side to put Saint Peter’s up, 50-49, Purdue went on a 7-2 run, with Trevion Williams doing most of the damage inside. After Doug Edert sank three free throws to pull Saint Peter’s to within 56-55 with 4:02 to play, KC Ndefo fouled out with 3:42 remaining, sending Williams to the line. He made just one, and on the ensuing possession Saint Peter’s guard Daryl Banks III hit a midrange jumper in the lane to tie it up.
The Peacocks forced a shot clock violation on Purdue’s next possession, Banks scored on a tough drive with 2:16 remaining. With the crowd on its feet, the Peacocks got the defensive stop, with Williams fouling Hassan Drame, who sank two free throws to give them a 61-57 lead with 1:43 on the clock.
Purdue got two free throws from Mason Gillis, but Matthew Lee hit two free throws with 41.6 seconds left to push the advantage back to four points. Gillis scored on an offensive rebound with 25.8 seconds left, and Banks was eventually fouled with 14.6 seconds left. He hit both free throws, and after Ivey drained a long 3-pointer to make it a one-point game, Edert hit two free throws with 4.1 seconds left.
Ivey missed a game-tying 3-pointer at the buzzer, and pandemonium ensued.
Dream away. Anything is possible for Saint Peter’s, including a national championship, as the Peacocks once again proved the power of Cinderella once March rolls around.