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Saint Peter flies high.
The Peacocks entered the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament as the No. 15 seed and made an incredible run to the Sweet 16. The St. Peters upset No. 2 Kentucky on Thursday, 85–79, and then defeated No. 7 Murray State in the second round, 70 -60.
The school in Jersey City, NJ got students, alumni and fans excited ahead of their next game against No. 3 Purdue on Friday night in Philadelphia.
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St. Peter’s head coach Shaheen Holloway questions the call during the first half of a college basketball game against Murray State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 19, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Randy Holmes, who starred with the Peacocks during their 1995 NCAA Tournament run, said in a recent interview with Fox News Digital that the St. Peter’s team “inspired” the community, and that was largely due to clear coach Shaheen Holloway.
“Coach Shaheen Holloway is pushing these guys to play at a higher level. Under the circumstances, it is amazing what he did and how his team bribed,” Holmes said. “As a result of this, he brought together the community of St. Peter. There are people that I haven’t spoken to, corresponded with, or interacted with in 15 years, and all of a sudden St. Peter is winning now, and it just reunited us. It’s amazing what he did and what the team did.”
ST. PETER TOP, MURRAY’S STATE; PEACOCKS ONLY 3RD 15-SEED TO CWEET 16
Jaylen Murray of the St. Peters (32) looks to play against Daquan Smith of Murray State (1) during the first half of a college basketball game in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 19, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Derron Cummings)
Holmes was on the ’94-95 team coached by Ted Fiore. This squad also finished 15th and lost to No. 2 UMass in the first round of the tournament. At the time, this was Saint Peter’s second appearance at the tournament. This is the fourth season for the school.
Caidren Clark echoed those sentiments in a separate interview with Fox News Digital. He said he received a lot of messages after the team’s upset victory over Kentucky.
“Yes, I got a lot of Facebook messages, a lot of text messages from people, direct messages on Instagram. There was a lot of contact from people I didn’t talk to and people I kept in touch with,” Clarke said. “It’s amazing that they remember how I played there. I thank them, but in the end it’s not about me. I’m with you guys because I had the opportunity and it didn’t work out but I live through them because that’s what I would like to do and they do it. So for me it’s like thank you guys for thinking of me, but it’s not even about me, it’s more about them
Clark is the school’s all-time scoring leader and one of the few Peacocks players to continue playing professional basketball after college. He played from 2002 to 2006 but was never able to take part in the tournament.
Umana’s Caidren Clark competes against Fabi Shoes’ Jarel MacNeil during the Lega Basket series. Match between Umana Venezia and Fabi Shoes Montegranaro at Palaverde on October 30, 2011 in Treviso, Italy. (Arturo Presotto – Iguana Press/Getty Images)
He said he was very excited to see St. Peters defeat such a giant as Kentucky.
“I am so excited. When the game was against Kentucky, I watched and watched. put it on and I’ll watch the whole second half standing in front of the TV with a basketball in my hand and my jersey on. So many emotions, goosebumps, everything that’s going on,” he told Fox News Digital.
“I was just genuinely happy for the guys. When they were able to do it, it was just wow, they really just did it. It was a release for me because I never had the opportunity. go out there and kill the University of Kentucky, it was like they did it.”
Holmes looked to the team’s chances in the Sweet 16 against the Boilermakers. Saint Peter’s is the third seed at number 15, making it to the Sweet 16.
“For these guys, there is no limit. Who would have thought they would beat Kentucky? If you can beat Kentucky and teams like that… you have a chance,” Holmes told Fox News Digital.
“Right now they are gambling at home and everyone is proud of them and they are a Cinderella story. They are making history. I am very proud of the coaching staff, the young players and of course the Saint Peter community and I think they have some more in the tank.”
KC Ndefo #11 from Team St. Peter’s Peacocks celebrates with teammates after a 70-60 victory over the Murray State Racers in the second round of the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 19, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Clarke said it came to an execution.
“I like their chances because we are very good defensively,” he said. “We don’t let the game get away from us. We control the game from the defensive side, and in the offensive part we slow it down, we force the teams to play at their own pace. This allows us to create opportunities for ourselves. The coach has great plans for the game, and he showed it in the game against Kentucky.
“Xs and Os should have been there, defensively we’ll be there, it all comes down to shooting,” Clarke added. “I believe that at the moment we have nothing to lose. All the pressure is on the power stations to confuse us while they go there and play for free and compete, which I know what we will do. I like our chances.”
St. Peter’s team has two seniors, six juniors, two sophomores, and five freshmen. When asked if he had any advice for the team, Holmes said he cherishes the time they spend at the tournament.
“I would say appreciate the moment, play the moment, because nothing is promised. Just enjoy it. Take lots of pictures because who knows when they’ll get back to this level of play so far in the tournament. Just cherish every bite and have fun,” he said.
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The winner will advance to the Elite Eight, where they will play the winner of North Carolina and UCLA.