Andrew Pace
Saint Peter's University's men's basketball team, the Peacocks, competes in the NCAA Division I intercollegiate men's basketball programme. The team is based in Jersey City, New Jersey, and plays in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). Basketball has been the most popular sport at the university since its first season in 1930–31. The Peacocks have enjoyed success in the MAAC, winning the championship five times and appearing in the NCAA tournament five times, including a notable run to the Elite Eight as a 15th seed in 2022.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the Basketball Team | Saint Peter's Peacocks men's basketball team |
| University | Saint Peter's University |
| Location | Jersey City, New Jersey |
| Conference | Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) |
| Division | NCAA Division I |
| Nickname | Peacocks |
| Colors | Blue and White |
| Head Coach | Bashir Mason |
| MAAC Championship Wins | 5 times (1991, 1995, 2011, 2022, 2024) |
| Previous Conference | Metropolitan Collegiate Conference (MCC) (1965-1969) |
| First Season | 1930-31 |
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What You'll Learn
Saint Peter's Peacocks men's basketball team
The Saint Peter's Peacocks men's basketball team represents Saint Peter's University in Jersey City, New Jersey. The team plays in the NCAA Division I and is a member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). Basketball has long been the most popular sport at the university, with the 1930–31 season being the same year the college reopened following its twelve-year closure due to World War I. The dean named the Peacock as the official mascot to celebrate the school's rebirth.
The Peacocks have appeared in the NCAA tournament five times and have won the MAAC Championship five times (1991, 1995, 2011, 2022, and 2024). They are currently led by third-year head coach Bashir Mason, who was hired on April 12, 2022. In 2022, the team made history as the tenth No. 15 seed to upset a No. 2 seed, knocking off the Kentucky Wildcats 85–79 in overtime. They then defeated the Murray State Racers in the next round, becoming the third No. 15 seed in tournament history to make it to the Sweet 16. Their Cinderella run continued as they upset the No. 3 seed Purdue Boilermakers to advance to the Elite Eight, becoming the first No. 15 seed to achieve this feat.
The Saint Peter's Peacocks first gained national recognition on March 18, 1968, with an upset win over the Duke Blue Devils in the 1968 NIT Quarterfinals at Madison Square Garden. This was the first sell-out for a college basketball game at the current Madison Square Garden. During the 1967–68 season, the Peacocks went 24–4, averaging 94 points per game. In the following years, the Peacocks continued their success, making three consecutive NIT appearances.
In 2024, the Peacocks returned to the NCAA Tournament after winning the MAAC Championship again. However, they were unable to replicate their previous year's success and lost in the First Round. The team plays its home games in Run Baby Run Arena and has the official colours of blue and white.
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NCAA Division I intercollegiate team
The Saint Peter's Peacocks men's basketball team is the NCAA Division I intercollegiate team representing Saint Peter's University in Jersey City, New Jersey. The team competes in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) and plays their home games in the Run Baby Run Arena. The Peacocks have had a successful history in the MAAC, winning the championship five times (1991, 1995, 2011, 2022, and 2024). They have also appeared in the NCAA tournament five times, including a memorable run to the Elite Eight as a 15th seed in 2022. This was a historic achievement, as they became the first No. 15 seed to advance that far in the tournament and finished the season ranked 24th in the nation.
Saint Peter's University was one of the founding members of the MAAC, which began its basketball programme in the 1981-82 season. The Peacocks have since become one of the most successful teams in the conference, with the second-most wins of any MAAC team. The team's colours are blue and white, and their mascot is the Peacock, chosen to celebrate the school's rebirth after a 12-year closure due to the impacts of World War I.
The Peacocks first gained national recognition on March 18, 1968, with an upset win over the Duke Blue Devils in the NIT Quarterfinals. They have continued to make a name for themselves with impressive tournament runs, such as in the 2021-22 season, where they defeated the Kentucky Wildcats and the Murray State Racers to reach the Sweet 16. They then upset the Purdue Boilermakers to become the first No.15 seed to advance to the Elite Eight, concluding their season with an impressive 22-12 record.
The team is currently led by head coach Bashir Mason, who was hired in 2022. In the past, the Peacocks have been led by notable coaches such as Shaheen Holloway and Don Kennedy, who guided the team to some of its most memorable victories. Basketball has long been the most popular sport at Saint Peter's University, with the team's rich history and passionate fan base.
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Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC)
Saint Peter's University is one of the founding members of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), which began its men's basketball programme in the 1981–82 season. The Saint Peter's Peacocks men's basketball team has since become the NCAA Division I intercollegiate basketball programme representing Saint Peter's University in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Basketball has long been the most popular sport at the university, with the 1930–31 season marking the university's first basketball season and the school's rebirth following a twelve-year closure due to the impacts of World War I. The dean named the Peacock as the official mascot to commemorate the occasion. The Peacocks first gained national recognition on March 18, 1968, when they defeated the Duke Blue Devils 100–71 in the 1968 NIT Quarterfinals at Madison Square Garden.
Since joining the MAAC, the Peacocks have established themselves as a dominant force within the conference. They have compiled the second most wins of any MAAC team and have won the MAAC Championship five times (1991, 1995, 2011, 2022, and 2024). This places them tied for second for the most MAAC Championships in the conference's history. The Peacocks play their home games in Run Baby Run Arena and are currently led by third-year head coach Bashir Mason, who was hired on April 12, 2022.
The 2021–22 season was a historic one for the Peacocks, as they became the tenth No. 15 seed to upset a No. 2 seed by knocking off the Kentucky Wildcats 85–79 in overtime. They then defeated the Murray State Racers in the next round, becoming the third No. 15 seed in tournament history to advance to the Sweet 16. Their Cinderella run continued as they upset the No. 3 seed Purdue Boilermakers to become the first No. 15 seed to reach the Elite Eight. The Peacocks concluded the season with an overall record of 22–12 and the best NCAA post-season run by any MAAC program in the conference's 41-year history.
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Saint Peter's University founding member of MAAC
Saint Peter's University is a private Jesuit university in Jersey City, New Jersey. Founded in 1872 as a men's liberal arts college, it offers over 60 undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 5,600 students. The university is located on a 30-acre campus just south of Journal Square, about 2 miles from Manhattan.
The Saint Peter's Peacocks men's basketball team is the NCAA Division I intercollegiate program that represents Saint Peter's University. The team competes in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), of which the university is a founding member. The Peacocks play their home games in Run Baby Run Arena and are currently led by third-year head coach Bashir Mason.
The Peacocks have a rich history in basketball, with the sport being the most popular at the university. The team first gained national recognition in 1968 when they defeated the Duke Blue Devils 100-71 in the NIT Quarterfinals at Madison Square Garden. They have since appeared in the NCAA tournament five times, including a historic run to the Elite Eight as a 15-seed in 2022. In that season, they achieved the best NCAA post-season run and the most wins by a MAAC program in a single NCAA Tournament.
Saint Peter's University is the only NCAA Division I institution whose mascot is the peacock. The choice of the peacock as a mascot has a historical connection to the land on which the university stands. The land was once owned by a man named Michiel Reyniersz Pauw, whose last name means "peacock" in Dutch. Additionally, in pagan mythology, the peacock symbolizes rebirth, reflecting the university's closure and reopening in the early 20th century.
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MAAC Championship wins
The Saint Peter's Peacocks men's basketball team has had a rich history in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), winning the MAAC Championship five times (1991, 1995, 2011, 2022, and 2024). Their success in the MAAC has been a testament to their dedication and talent, with their wins placing them as the second most winningest MAAC team.
The 2021-22 season was a historic one for the Peacocks. Led by head coach Shaheen Holloway, they became the tenth No.15 seed to upset a No.2 seed, knocking off the Kentucky Wildcats 85-79 in overtime. They then continued their winning streak, defeating the Murray State Racers 70-60 and becoming the third No.15 seed in tournament history to advance to the Sweet 16. Their magical run continued as they upset the No.3 seed Purdue Boilermakers 67-64, making them the first No.15 seed to ever reach the Elite Eight. This Cinderella story concluded with a loss to the eventual national runner-up, the No.8 North Carolina team, but not before they had made their mark on the tournament.
The 2022 MAAC Championship win was a significant moment for the Peacocks. They defeated the No.2 Fairfield Stags 68-63 to claim their fifth conference title. This win secured their place in the NCAA tournament, where they aimed to replicate their previous season's success. While they were unable to advance beyond the first round, their presence as a MAAC program was strongly felt.
The Saint Peter's Peacocks have a long and proud history in the MAAC, with their five championship wins placing them among the most successful teams in the conference. Their most recent victory in 2024 demonstrated their continued dominance and ambition within the conference. The team's success has brought recognition not only to the university but also to the MAAC as a whole, showcasing the high level of competition and talent within the conference.
The Peacocks' MAAC Championship wins have been a testament to their resilience and skill, and they have consistently proven their ability to rise to the challenge. Their success has not only brought pride to their university but has also inspired other MAAC teams to strive for similar achievements. The Peacocks' legacy in the MAAC is one of determination, sportsmanship, and a true passion for the game of basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
St Peter's University's basketball team, the Peacocks, compete in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC).
St Peter's University is one of the founding members of the MAAC, which began play in men's basketball in the 1981-82 season.
The Peacocks have won the MAAC Championship five times: in 1991, 1995, 2011, 2022 and 2024.
