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The Saint Peter's Peacocks are set to face the Purdue Boilermakers. Check out our March Madness odds series, which includes our Saint Peter's Purdue prediction, odds, and pick.
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The Saint Peter's Peacocks are the true Cinderella story at the 2022 NCAA Tournament. They have greatly reshaped the March Madness odds in the East Region by taking out second-seeded Kentucky and seventh-seeded Murray State. When they beat Kentucky, the Peacocks seemingly set the table for Murray State to make a deep run. Keep in mind, when making a Saint Peter's Purdue prediction, that Murray State had lost only twice all season, and not once since Dec. 22 against Auburn, an elite opponent. Murray State had fewer losses (two) than Gonzaga (three) entering the NCAA Tournament. The Racers appeared primed to go deep in the bracket. Saint Peter's had other ideas.
Let's appreciate what Saint Peter's has done. In terms of seed-based upsets, UMBC over Virginia — a 16 seed over a No. 1 seed — is a bigger upset than the Peacocks over Kentucky. However, in terms of money and resources invested in men's basketball, Saint Peter's over Kentucky rates as a bigger surprise. One can legitimately claim that it's the biggest upset in NCAA Tournament history, certainly since the shot-clock era of college basketball began in the 1985-1986 season. The upset is that big … and yet Saint Peter's didn't have an empty fuel tank after it. The Peacocks immediately regrouped and beat a Murray State team which hadn't lost in nearly three whole months. It's an extraordinary achievement for coach Shaheen Holloway, who is expected to take the open job at Seton Hall once this NCAA Tournament ends.
Purdue has an amazing opportunity in front of it, for anyone contemplating a Saint Peter's Purdue pick. The Boilermakers get to play a No. 15 seed in the Sweet 16. No team seeded 15th has reached the Elite Eight. No team seeded lower than 12 has reached the Elite Eight (2002 Missouri and 2021 Oregon State were both No. 12 seeds). Purdue is the overwhelming favorite to make a regional final, which would set up the Boilermakers for a chance to make their first Final Four in 42 years.
That's right: Purdue hasn't made the Final Four since 1980. Interestingly, Purdue faced UCLA in the 1980 Final Four national semifinals. Purdue could very possibly meet UCLA in the Elite Eight if it can get past Saint Peter's.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Saint Peter's-Purdue odds:
March Madness Odds: Saint Peter's-Purdue Odds
Saint Peter's: +12.5 (-110)
Purdue: -12.5 (-110)
Over: 135 (-110)
Under: 135 (-110)
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Why Saint Peter's Could Cover the Spread
The combination of Doug Edert in the backcourt and K.C. Ndefo in the frontcourt is tough and unflappable. Purdue has better athletes and more size, but Saint Peter's handled Oscar Tshiebwe of Kentucky and then withstood Murray State's speed. If it can do that, it can handle Purdue.
Why Purdue Could Cover the Spread
The size of Purdue isn't just one guy; it is across the Boilermakers' lineup. Saint Peter's simply can't match up with all these tall trees.
Final Saint Peter's-Purdue Prediction & Pick
Purdue will dominate unless Saint Peter's can shoot extremely well. The Peacocks have no margin for error in this game. They have to shoot the lights out. Anything less is a Boilermaker romp.
Final Saint Peter's-Purdue Pick: Purdue -12.5
