CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The magic of March Madness is often defined by Cinderella stories, and Saint Peter’s University knows this narrative well. Just two years removed from their improbable Elite Eight run, the Peacocks returned to the big stage, but this time, the script was decidedly different. Facing the formidable Tennessee Volunteers in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, Saint Peter’s found themselves grounded, as Tennessee asserted dominance from the opening tip, securing a decisive 83-49 victory.
This year’s journey to the tournament for Saint Peter’s was unexpected in itself. Predicted to languish near the bottom of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), the Peacocks defied expectations, clinching a 19-14 record and the MAAC Tournament title, earning their ticket to March Madness. However, the Volunteers, a team with Final Four aspirations, were a different caliber of opponent than those Saint Peter’s faced during their historic 2022 run.
“It really emphasizes just how incredible that Elite Eight run was,” reflected Saint Peter’s guard Latrell Reid, a returning player from the 2022 Cinderella squad. “I know there might have been some expectation for a repeat performance, but tonight just highlights the unpredictable nature of this tournament.”
The stark reality of the NCAA Tournament for a No. 15 seed was on full display Thursday night. Peacocks head coach Bashir Mason, who was leading Wagner just two years prior during Saint Peter’s magical run under Shaheen Holloway, understood the challenge. “Reflecting on the game and Saint Peter’s history, and considering the teams they overcame to reach the Elite Eight – defeating a No. 2 seed Kentucky, a ranked Murray State, and Purdue, the Big Ten champion – it underscores how truly remarkable that achievement was for a smaller institution like Saint Peter’s from Jersey City,” Mason stated in the post-game press conference.
Despite the lopsided scoreline, Tennessee coach Rick Barnes offered words of encouragement to Mason during the postgame handshake. “I told him he’s building something special and they’ve done a tremendous job to get back to this tournament. It’s a difficult feat to accomplish. And while the loss stings now, especially given their ambition to win, their presence here again speaks volumes about their program,” Barnes acknowledged.
Five Key Takeaways from Saint Peter’s vs. Tennessee
1. Brotherly Competition on the March Madness Stage
College basketball often throws up fascinating storylines, and the Saint Peter’s vs. Tennessee matchup was no exception, featuring a unique sibling rivalry. In a nod to basketball history, reminiscent of the 1992 Sweet Sixteen where Seton Hall’s coach P.J. Carlesimo pitted freshman Danny Hurley against his brother Bobby of Duke, Saint Peter’s introduced freshman Armoni Zeigler off the bench. His opposite number? Tennessee’s dynamic point guard, and his half-brother, Zakai Zeigler.
While not a direct, full-game matchup, moments arose where the Zeigler brothers found themselves guarding each other. On this occasion, family ties took a backseat to fierce competition. Zakai Zeigler shone for Tennessee, racking up 11 points and 10 assists, while Armoni, in his 16 minutes of play, contributed valuable experience despite not scoring. Theirs was a silent testament to the intense, business-like atmosphere of March Madness, where personal connections are temporarily set aside for the pursuit of victory.
2. Latrell Reid’s Accountable Leadership
Amidst the defeat, Saint Peter’s guard Latrell Reid emerged as a standout performer, both in play and accountability. The veteran guard, with prior March Madness experience, led the Peacocks with 17 points. However, his passion boiled over, leading to an ejection after two technical fouls.
In a display of leadership and maturity, Reid used the post-game press conference to issue an unprompted apology. “Before we wrap up, I want to apologize for being ejected today,” Reid stated. “I’m a competitor, and my emotions got the better of me, which isn’t reflective of who I am. I don’t believe I even received a technical foul all season. There was some back-and-forth, just typical competitor interactions on the court.”
Coach Mason praised Reid’s accountability, calling it a “character reveal.” “Adversity struck early in the game, and our emotions hindered our focus and ability to perform to our potential,” Mason elaborated, highlighting the learning opportunity within the loss.
3. Drame Twins Continue March Madness Journey
The Saint Peter’s 2022 Elite Eight team dispersed afterwards, with players entering the transfer portal. However, Latrell Reid wasn’t the only Peacock from that run to return to the NCAA Tournament this year. Twin forwards Fousseyni and Hassan Drame also found their way back to March Madness with Duquesne University.
On Thursday, as Saint Peter’s faced Tennessee, Fousseyni Drame and the 11th-seeded Duquesne Dukes were celebrating a 71-67 upset victory over sixth-seeded BYU. Fousseyni contributed significantly with eight points and eight rebounds, advancing Duquesne to a second-round matchup against third-seeded Illinois. This underlines the lasting impact of the 2022 Saint Peter’s team, with its members continuing to make waves in college basketball.
4. Peacock Nation Travels Strong
Despite being considerable underdogs against the Tennessee Volunteers, and playing in Charlotte, North Carolina, a location favoring Volunteers fans, Saint Peter’s fans showed up. The 19,000-seat Spectrum Center was awash with Tennessee orange, but a vocal contingent of several hundred Peacocks fans made their presence known from the tip-off. This contrasted sharply with Wagner’s earlier game, where the fellow metropolitan-area underdog had minimal fan representation.
“That’s Peacock Nation for you: they show up and show out,” Reid remarked about the fan support. “We’re incredibly grateful and appreciative of their unwavering support all year. We have endless love for those fans.” Teammate Marcus Randolph echoed this sentiment, “It means the world. This is an amazing support system, and we love to see it.” The enduring legacy of the 2022 Saint Peter’s run is evident in their dedicated fanbase.
5. Kentucky Upset Echoes for Saint Peter’s
Shortly before the Saint Peter’s vs. Tennessee game commenced, the arena screens showed the final moments of Kentucky’s stunning loss to 13th-seeded Oakland. Tennessee fans erupted in cheers, showcasing the intense SEC rivalries. For Saint Peter’s, it was a moment of déjà vu. Their historic 2022 journey began with an upset victory over another underperforming Kentucky team.
While the loss to Tennessee was definitive, the memory of Saint Peter’s improbable Elite Eight run, sparked by that Kentucky upset, remains vivid. That victory two years ago was recognized as special at the time; with each March Madness tournament since, its legendary status only grows.
Jerry Carino has been a fixture in New Jersey sports journalism since 1996, specializing in college basketball since 2003. He is also an Associated Press Top 25 voter. Contact him via email at [email protected].*
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