Following Purdue loss, Big Ten makes college basketball history
The Cinderella story continued Friday night as No. 15 seed Saint Peter’s defeated No. 3 seed Purdue in the Sweet 16. But with the Boilermakers’ loss, the Big Ten made some not-so-great history.
The Big Ten received nine bids to the NCAA Tournament this year, but following Purdue’s defeat, not one of those teams made the Elite Eight. It marks the first time in March Madness history a league had at least nine teams in the tournament and failed to reach the Elite Eight, according to ESPN Stats and Info.
It also extends a long streak for the Big Ten. Michigan State was the last team from the league to win a national championship when the Spartans did it in 2000. Although Maryland won the national championship in 2002, it was a member of the ACC, meaning the Big Ten’s streak now extends to its 22nd season.
As for arguably the greatest Cinderella story in tournament history, Saint Peter’s also made history on Friday. The Peacocks became the first No. 15 seed in tournament history to make the Elite Eight — after becoming the third 15-seed to advance to the Sweet 16.
They now have a date with North Carolina in the Elite Eight on Sunday. The winner punches a ticket to the Final Four on April 2 in New Orleans.
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Saint Peter’s holds on in wild finish to make NCAA tournament history
The clock has yet to strike midnight for Saint Peter’s as its Cinderella story continues. The Peacocks upset yet another NCAA championship contender in No. 3 seed Purdue Friday night to clinch the school’s first-ever ticket to the Elite Eight.
Not only is this the Peacocks’ first trip to the Elite Eight, but they’re the first-ever No. 15 seed to advance that far into the tournament.
Saint Peter’s started off the tournament by defeating No. 2 seed Kentucky in the Round of 64. After the Wildcats allowed them to stay in it for most of the game, the Peacocks were able to push the game to overtime. That’s when Saint Peter’s outscored Kentucky 14-8 to win the game 85-79.
The Peacocks’ round of 32 matchup was against the Murray State Racers — the No. 7 seed. Saint Peter’s again came away with a win to become the third No. 15 seed to make the Sweet 16, joining Florida Gulf Coast in 2013 and Oral Roberts in 2021. The Peacocks will try to make even more history when they face No. 8 seed North Carolina on Sunday with a trip to the Final Four on the line.