Right now, it looks like the clock is about to strike midnight on Saint Peter’s, and Purdue and Kentucky have to be kicking themselves.
The Boilermakers and Wildcats were Saint Peter’s most high-profile victims–they also beat Murray State–in their improbable run to the Elite Eight. This afternoon, North Carolina is doing what Purdue and Kentucky couldn’t, and that’s overwhelming the Peacocks with their size, athleticism and talent.
Upsets happen all the time in college basketball, and we should credit Saint Peter’s for playing well and winning more than we criticize their opponents for losing.
However, there’s no doubt that Boilermaker fans and members of Big Blue Nation should feel like their teams missed an opportunity to take care of business.
Purdue should be embarrassed
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) March 27, 2022
There’s always a first round surprise factor. Has happened before and will again. Purdue knew what it was dealing with and had a week to prepare. https://t.co/kphGxn4RJ3
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) March 27, 2022
If there are any Kentucky or Purdue fans watching this game, this is probably a good time to stop or else risk living the angst all over again.
— Chris Fallica (@chrisfallica) March 27, 2022
Bunch of Kentucky and Purdue fans probably had to turn this off already.
— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) March 27, 2022
Kentucky, Murray State, and Purdue watching UNC roll over Saint Peters pic.twitter.com/pFMLG5ZAwe
— John Babyar (@johnbabyar) March 27, 2022
Not embarrassed by the players but embarrassed by the Coach and his gameplan. He knew St Peters was going to be all in but Painter did as usual, kept players on the floor who couldn’t execute.
— BoilerGrad (@Boilers32) March 27, 2022
UNC doing what UK and Purdue did not do. Step on the throat and not let up. Mid-majors can be pesky and thats how you beat them.
— Zack Pounders (@ScubaPounders15) March 27, 2022
To this point, North Carolina has done what Kentucky, Murray St and Purdue failed to do. Get a lead and land a serious body blow against Saint Peter’s.
— Dave Ommen (@BracketguyDave) March 27, 2022
Kenny Smith is right and wrong.
You have to penetrate and get it to the bigs that way to beat St. Peter’s.
He’s dead wrong and blinded by his UNC love that the Heels only had the personnel to do it — because Purdue and Kentucky did. They just failed to execute.
— Matthew Hatfield (@hatfieldsports) March 27, 2022
Kentucky, Murray State and Purdue fans have to be watching this and asking:
What was the problem, Coach?
— rickbozich (@rickbozich) March 27, 2022
If I were Kentucky, Purdue or third team I can’t remember, I would have considered beating Saint Peter’s
— Patrick Daugherty (@RotoPat) March 27, 2022
Kentucky and Purdue rn pic.twitter.com/6xtLNCq0SX
— MILLER TIME CAPX (@CapX34) March 27, 2022
North Carolina currently leads Saint Peter’s 38-19 at halftime. The Tar Heels are 20 minutes away from a trip to the Final Four in New Orleans.
Once there, they will meet archrival Duke in what will be one of the most anticipated college basketball games of the modern era. The two storied Tobacco Road programs have never met in the NCAA Tournament before.
Now, they are about to square off with a berth in the national title game on the line, in Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski’s last season, no less. The hype for that matchup will be out of control.
The post Everyone’s Saying Same Thing About Purdue, Kentucky Today appeared first on The Spun.