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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St. Peter’s Basketball (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Luck

For Saint Peter’s luck has been a lot of the reason the team has gotten to where the team is so far. Kentucky shot 48.3% from the field throughout the season and averaged 38.3 rebounds per game and just had an incredible offensive season.

All of those numbers dropped against Saint Peter’s, only grabbing 36 rebounds in an overtime game and shooting 42.6% with only four threes. The Peacocks found the Wildcats on the team’s off-night and capitalized.

Then against the Racers, a team that averages 79.1 points a night and just dominated San Francisco, only put 60 points in a putrid offensive night. Yes, Saint Peter’s has a very good defense as previously mentioned, but there was some luck in those two wins against the better teams.

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If Saint Peter’s looks to get past Purdue, the team will need the Boilermakers to beat themselves, which Purdue has done on a few occasions throughout the year, and to have the lucky bounces go its way in order to make the elite eight – which would be the first time for a 15 seed to do.