St. Peter’s Basketball Looks for More March Magic

There is a New Jersey team in the tournament this season. It may not be Rutgers, Princeton, or Seton Hall.

No, none of them made it. But one familiar name to local basketball fans did make it: St. Peter's.

Yes, the same St. Peter's basketball program that captured the hearts of the Garden State and the country with its remarkable run to the Elite Eight just two years ago.

What can the Peacocks do for an encore?

Bear in mind that St. Peter's team was very different from the current version.  Starting with Head Coach Shaneen Halloway, who soon after St. Peter's run ended against North Carolina, inked a deal to return to his alma mater Seton Hall. Ironically Halloway's Pirates are in the NIT instead this season.

After Halloway left, many of his players followed. Doug Edert went to Bryant; KC Ndefo went to Seton Hall; Daryl Banks III transferred to Saint Bonaventure. Clarence Rupert went to Southern Illinois and Matthew Lee went to Missouri State.  Fousseyni and Hassan Drame are now at Duquesne.

In a world where college basketball is now dominated by the transfer portal and the NIL, the 2022 St. Peter's team was a special collection of grit and talent.

But, the program is back with a new look up and down the roster, including Head Coach Bashir Mason, who has brought the program back quicker than anyone expected.

On Tuesday, the Peacocks received a warm send-off from fans, family members, and boosters.

Can St. Peter's recapture the glory of 2022? It will be very difficult. They face Tennessee, on Thursday night at 9 p.m. The Volunteers had been one of the hotter teams in the nation until they were bounced from the SEC Tournament.  They are heavy favorites to win, but if St. Peter's can find a way ... what a story it would be.