Murray State and Saint Peter’s both are going for a historic first-ever Sweet Sixteen appearance. Who has the edge in this matchup?
TV schedule, March 19, 6:45 pm on CBS
Arena: Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis
Not many bracket predictions had Saint Peter’s surviving its first-round game with Kentucky, but here they are. Their 85-79 overtime win pushes the Peacocks into a second-round contest with Murray State.
One of these teams will be playing in next weekend’s Sweet Sixteen contest and neither have ever traveled that far. Saint Peter’s Kentucky conquest was their first-ever NCAA Tournament win and Murray’s overtime win over San Francisco (92-87), was its fifth-ever March Madness victory.
The overtime thrillers could leave both teams with weary legs, so roster depth and bench use will be important for coaches Shaheen Holloway (Saint Peter’s) and Matt McMahon (Murray State).
Murray State (31-2) played 43 of their 45-minute game without starting guard Carter Collins after the 6’3 senior sprained his ankle. Starting center K.J. Williams fell violently on his tail-bone late in the game and point-guard Justice Hill had continual cramping problems during the heart-stopping victory.
Saint Peter’s (20-11) guard Daryl Banks III scored a season-high 27 points during the Peacock’s upset win and Doug Edert’s jumper with 49 seconds left in the game, sent the contest into the extra session. Edert’s season-high 21 points came against former Kentucky coach Rick Pitino’s Iona Gaels and the 6’2 junior scored 20, including 15 points during the second half and overtime against Kentucky.
Murray State coach Matt McMahon says Saint Peter’s is a tough-minded, defensive team.
"“We’re very familiar with them and they very well-coached,” said McMahon. “Incredibly tough. One of the best defensive teams in all of college basketball. Not just my opinion. The numbers show that. So, we know it will be a great challenge on Saturday but certainly looking forward to it. As I told our players after the game in the locker room, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the opportunity to win a game and go to the Sweet 16.”"
Holloway demands hard-nosed defense but gives his players offensive freedom.
"“We’ve got good players,” said Holloway. “I know this is getting old and it’s cliché, but we have guys that really have a chip on their shoulder; they really believe they belong at big-time schools. I give the guys freedom to play offense. As long as they do what they have got to do for me on defense, on offense they have their freedom.”"
The Peacocks have already made program history with their first-ever Big Dance victory and one of these teams will make history Saturday by punching their Sweet Sixteen ticket.