Not many outside of New York and New Jersey knew much about Saint Peter’s or their head coach Shaheen Holloway before they upset Kentucky in the first round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.
But after they made the Sweet 16 by beating Murray St. on Saturday night, the Peacocks became fan favorites of college basketball.
The main reason for their success? Head coach Shaheen Holloway.
Holloway arrived at Saint Peter’s in 2018 but wasn’t an overnight sensation.
The team went 10-22 in his first season, a rough start to his rookie coaching debut.
But he’s had three straight winning seasons since then, going 18-9, 14-11 and 21-11. He was also named the MAAC Coach of the Year in the 2019-20 season.
Holloway hasn’t sent any Peacocks’ players to the NBA and doesn’t have superstars on his roster, which might be frowned upon by some. But in this age where players have more options in their basketball playing careers, that has helped Holloway and his program carve out a path to Sweet 16.
His starting team is made up of 3 juniors, 1 senior and 1 freshman. His first four off the bench consist of 2 juniors, 1 freshman, 1 sophomore and 1 senior.
Holloway has had the proper time to construct and develop his team and program, which is one reason for their magical run.
Saint Peter’s is the anti-Kentucky. The former builds a team and the latter churns out players.
But Kentucky is now literally one-and-done while Saint Peter’s took a one-hour drive down I-95 to play the No. 3 ranked Purdue Boilermakers in Philadelphia tonight, which is essentially a home game to the Jersey City team.
While the Peacocks are being celebrated by Tournament fans, the real magic is being orchestrated by their head coach.
Holloway has successfully recruited players from the New York-New Jersey area, including African players who came to the area to play high school basketball.
But to bring it all together, he added his New York toughness and basketball attitude.
Holloway played his high school ball at St. Patrick in Elizabeth, NJ and played college ball at Seton Hall in South Orange, NJ.
And while he has deep basketball roots in New Jersey, make no mistake- he’s New York to the core.
“Listen. I’m a New York guy, but Jersey adopted me,” Holloway told CBS Sports’ Jamie Erdahl when she innocently, but mistakenly called him a New Jersey guy. “But I’m a New York guy.”
Holloway is from Queens, NY, and like any real New Yorker, he will quickly let you know that’s where he’s from.
There’s a big difference between being from New York and being from New Jersey. It’s a significant territorial identity that’s important to note. I exemplify this for although I live in New Jersey, I am a born and raised New York City kid and will always let people know that when asked.
Holloway’s dual-state background gives him the ability, and credibility, to recruit in both states, which makes him the perfect head coach for Saint Peter’s. It’s also part of the reason he’s rumored to be the favorite for the vacant head coaching position at his alma mater, Seton Hall.
Most importantly, the tough New York attitude you hear in his voice and see in his stance is reflected through his players, which is why they’ve shown no fear under the bright lights of March Madness.
“I’ve got guys from New Jersey and New York City,” replied Holloway to a reporter when asked about how his team responded to the physical play of Murray St. “You think we’re scared of anything? You think we’re worried about guys trying to muscle us and tough us out? We do that. That’s who we are.”
Tonight, Purdue is the favorite in their Sweet Sixteen matchup against Saint Peter’s.
But thanks to coach Holloway, New York and New Jersey will be representing both on and off the court in Philly, so don’t be surprised if the Peacocks move on.
