Daniel Jakes

As we head into the last days of the First Weekend of the NCAA Tournament, there is only one story line that should be talked about, this years Cinderella; the Peacocks of Saint Peter’s. The small New Jersey school has made its mark in this years NCAA tournament. Like last years Tournament sweetheart, Oral Roberts, this team is lead by a highly efficient shooting attack. They have tremendous guard play, along with a front court that pursues the ball extremely well. This team just wants to dance all tourney long! Let’s run through the round 2 matchups from Indianapolis!

Michigan (76) vs. Tennessee (68): The Wolverines Move On

For the early game, it was a battle of defensive intensity. Though the score might not suggest it, both teams were following their defensive responsibilities. On Michigan’s end it was evident that they were trying to maintain the Volunteer’s 3 Point shooting ability as they were limited to just 2/18 from the outside.

For Tennessee it was imperative that they speed up the guards for Michigan and pick them up the length of the court. Not necessarily applying pressure, but to make them as uncomfortable as they could. Forcing the Wolverines to a total of 15 turnovers for the game, scoring 20 points off of the turnovers created.

In the end it was the ability of Hunter Dickinson and Eli Brooks that led their teams to a victory. The past few games for the Wolverines it was Eli Brooks who always had an offensive answer. It was his late game running hook shot that ended up sealing the game before the free throws put the nails in the coffin.

Saint Peter’s (70) vs. Murray State (60): Not Midnight Just Yet!

The clock hasn’t struck midnight for the Cinderella Peacocks just yet! As you may have noticed if you follow our Twitter page (@StudentUSports), they are a fan favorite of our contributors!

Like a majority if the games this weekend here in Indianapolis, it was a close battle going back and forth a majority of the game. Saint Peter’s though, like mentioned in the beginning, had a great all around game from their backcourt players. It wasn’t just on the offensive end of the ball though, they were given the task of guarding the dynamic duo of Justice Hill and Tre Hannibal.

It was a second half where Saint Peter’s just didn’t want to give up a lead. Every time that the Racers would cut the lead to three or four points, the Peacocks always seemed to have an answer. Whether that was Doug Edert making a shot, or Matthew Lee making a play, or Murray State just making an error to give them the ball back. It was always the Peacocks story this March!