March Madness 2022 – From Eli Manning’s fanbase to the streamers on the Jersey Turnpike

Few things unite New Jersey more than the mention of Wawa, going to the beach, or the phrase “20 regular, cash.”

With the 2022 NCAA Tournament, you can add St. Peter’s peacocks to that list — even if they only last a few more days in March Madness.

On Friday, the team debuted at Sweet 16 in Philadelphia, just 90 miles from its home circuit, and faced 3-ranked Purdue in the Eastern Conference semi-finals.

Peacock came out on top and made history as the first 15 seeds to make the Elite Eight.

Last weekend, Saint Peter’s followed up their inaugural 85-79 overtime win over Kentucky with a 70-60 win over Murray State as the Peacocks never fell behind to become the third 15th seed to reach the Sweet 16.

These days, peacocks live a glamorous life as team Cinderella and enjoy being the darling of underdog heroism. Here’s a look at their week:

March 17

The Peacock’s St. Patrick’s Day win over Kentucky was the beginning of this Cinderella story. It also led to a new holiday that may be celebrated in the state for years to come.

Happy St Peter’s Day!!# strotop🦚 pic.twitter.com/xoemdAKv6w

Saint Peter men’s basketball (PeacocksMBB) March 18, 2022

check us @Twitter# strotop🦚

Saint Peter men’s basketball (PeacocksMBB) March 18, 2022

Well, well, well…we’re going to tweet it! Tweet embedThanks for the laugh. pic.twitter.com/DTCRDsDTSm

St. Peter’s Athletics (SPUAthletics) March 18, 2022

The peacock also received congratulations from an underdog fellow.

In 2018, UMBC Retrievers became one of the most popular teams to wear the proverbial glass slipper at March Madness after becoming the first 16 seeds to beat a single.

Welcome to the club Tweet embed pic.twitter.com/Fy1qkeYKq3

– UMBC Athletics (UMBCAthletics) March 18, 2022

March 18

Getting verified on Twitter is just one of the perks that comes with defeating a second seed. Less than 24 hours after the big win, the Peacocks were officially in charge. They’ve also republished an introduction series to the team that includes an “exceptional” mustache, a set of twins, an aspiring actor, and more.

We’ll go ahead and pass this on to our new followers overnight

You will find that all the information is still very accurate# strotop🦚 https://t.co/8W7CeYk7ei

Saint Peter men’s basketball (PeacocksMBB) March 18, 2022

We all did it!!! ☑️# strotop🦚 | # March depression pic.twitter.com/rrrFIGznVg

Saint Peter men’s basketball (PeacocksMBB) March 18, 2022

Coach Shaheen Holloway and goalkeeper Doug Edert They saw their social status grow as well. According to Twitter, Holloways has averaged 601 new followers per day since the victory over Kentucky. Idirt, who got bargain nothing With Buffalo Wild Wings, he added 82 followers daily.

Do you know the old saying about birds of a feather? In this case, The Spirit of St. Peter and Peacock, NBC’s global broadcasting service, got together.

what?! Birds should flock in their forms. Pack your bags Spirit Squad. We connect you to the game. Can you be ready in…a few hours?! 🏃‍♀️💨 We make this happen. # peacock https://t.co/dIuK357DmE

– peacock (peacockTV) March 19, 2022

March 19

Kentucky had a tough time competing with New Jersey when it came to basketball. Both the second-seeded Wildcats and the #7 racers came from Bluegrass State and fell to Saint Peter.

“St. Peter did the unthinkable” 😱

The 15-seed ladder is directed to #sweet 16Tweet embed # March depression pic.twitter.com/aQpOfjJNzS

– NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 20 2022

It seems all right.# strotop🦚 pic.twitter.com/gOvN5blfGp

St. Peter’s Athletics (SPUAthletics) March 20 2022

This week’s second Peacock Surprise was praised by several local teams and another feathered friend.

He was raised in Jersey. Hated in Kentucky. https://t.co/EhyuReniQT

– Princeton WPP (@Princeton WPP) March 19, 2022

Advance Cinderella!!!! Represent New Jersey! Tweet embed # demons

– NJ Devil (@NJDevil00) March 20 2022

Actor 👏 https://t.co/9b5qAnWJQ7

New York Giants March 20 2022

This is a victory for birds everywhere!

Aflac March 19, 2022

When asked how his team faced off against bigger teams, Holloway, of Queens, New York, who played at Seton Hall, had a very apt response that made its way onto local billboards.

“I have guys from New Jersey and New York City. Do you think we’re afraid of anything?”

“Do you think we worry about men trying our muscles? We do.” 💪

Shaheen Holloway Tweet embedMentality. # March depression pic.twitter.com/BuVSv4rmn0

– NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 20 2022

Peter’s column I wrote yesterday, I wrote that someone should slap Shaheen Holloway’s quote about “Men from New Jersey and New York City” on a billboard. Well today… https://t.co/nsQhZxxyYn pic.twitter.com/tgEfEk7t7R

– Steve Politi (@StevePoliti) March 21, 2022

March 20

The Peacocks play their home games at Run Baby Run Arena, and the party back in Jersey City seemed as lively as the facility’s name.

welcome home, Tweet embed! 🦚🏀🏠# strotop🦚 pic.twitter.com/OOoqL2xX1N

St. Peter’s Athletics (SPUAthletics) March 20 2022

March 21

After the party, the team hosted a special New Jersey visitor Phil Murphy, and coach Holloway appeared on Good Morning America.

That’s weird, usually Juju is the one making the help 👀

Thanks for coming today Tweet embed!# strotop🦚 pic.twitter.com/6MknEZORr5

Saint Peter men’s basketball (PeacocksMBB) March 21, 2022

“Listen, we’re just here enjoying the moment. A lot of teams are under a lot of pressure. It’s not us, we’re just moving on.” St Peter’s coach Shaheen Holloway Ali Tweet embed industry #sweet 16. 🏀# strotop # March depressionhttps://t.co/kWY5S6eOU4 pic.twitter.com/uIP5P9XBqJ

Good Morning America (GMA) March 21, 2022

March 23

St. Peter hosted two parties in as many days as her 16 farewells attracted many supporters. Those unable to attend the in-person ceremonies can at least view the ceremonial banner on the New Jersey Turnpike.

So sweet, Jersey City 💕# strotop🦚 pic.twitter.com/Ssbcydhlmd

St. Peter’s Athletics (SPUAthletics) March 23, 2022

What’s out ✊ https://t.co/G371RIv8Pm

Saint Peter men’s basketball (PeacocksMBB) March 24, 2022

March 24

Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning seems to have always been a big peacock man. We don’t question timing, and neither are the New Jersey Devils.

JERZ. https://t.co/26npjk4kjX

New Jersey Devils (NJDevils) March 24, 2022

March 25

Cinderella is unstoppable in the city of brotherly love. St. Peter’s exited Purdue 67-64 and became the first New Jersey school to reach Elite Eight since Seton Hall in 1991.

Is there another way to celebrate National Peacock Day?

Date!!!!

Head your arms of peace to the Elite Eight!!

67-64 🚂# strotop🦚 pic.twitter.com/0t7LVyW4ca

Saint Peter men’s basketball (PeacocksMBB) March 26, 2022

Make the ladder prop! 🦚# March depression Tweet embed pic.twitter.com/rgMhhquYkB

– NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 26, 2022