Saint Peter's Basketball: 3 keys to victory against Purdue in Sweet 16

Saint Peter’s Basketball: 3 keys to victory against Purdue in Sweet 16

By Jon Surratt | Mar 22, 2022

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 17: Head coach Shaheen Holloway of the Saint Peter's Peacocks looks on in the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first round of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 17, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

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Well, this matchup was definitely expected by everyone. The Sweet 16 matchup is set between the No. 3 seed Purdue Boilermakers and No. 15 seed Saint Peter’s Basketball. A story of two different programs and two different stories getting to this point.

The Boilermakers have been one of the best teams in the country all season, consistently in the AP Top 10 all season. Purdue has top NBA talent in Jaden Ivey and dominant big men in Zach Edey and Trevion Williams. Although the team did not win the Big Ten regular season or conference tournament, Purdue looked like the most dominant team in the Big Ten for a large part of the season.

Although the team had some hiccups here and there, offensively the team is no slouch, ranking second in KenPom offensive efficiency, scoring 79.8 points per game, and 31st in rebounds per game at 37.3. On the other side, Saint Peter’s was near the top of their conference… in the MAAC.

Throughout the season, the Iona Gaels were at the top of the conference but were upset against the Rider Broncs in the conference tournament. This left the door open for the second-ranked Peacocks and they capitalized to move onto the NCAA Tournament.

Their present… a date with No. 2 Kentucky Wildcats and Naismith Player of the Year Candidate Oscar Tshiebwe. However, after a fast-paced and emotional game, the Peacocks pulled it out in overtime in extraordinary fashion 85-79. Then the team played the No. 7 seed Murray State Racers 70-60.

This is the third time a 15 seed has made the Sweet 16, but it does not look the best for the Peacocks to pull out the victory as Purdue has five days to prepare, but if the Peacocks are to pull it out here are three keys to how they can.