Saint Peter’s Peacocks, Who Beat Purdue in March Madness, Boast a Head Coach Who Beat Kobe Bryant to an MVP Once

March Madness is in full swing at the moment. And just like every year, there is a Cinderella team that captures everyone’s eyes. This time it is the 15-seed Saint Peter who has reached the Elite 8 and is coached by Shaheen Hollaway, a former player who beat out Kobe Bryant for MVP.

Saint Peter became only the third 15 seed in NCAA history to earn a spot in the regional final. The Peacocks started off the first round with a massive upset as they beat the number 2 seed, Kentucky. Then they breezed past Murray State, before setting up a Sweet 16 matchup with Purdue. They shocked third-seeded Purdue, 67-64, in a game that oddsmakers said it wouldn’t even be close. Consequently, they became the first No 15 seed to reach the Elite 8 in the NCAA Tournament history. Accordingly, all the credit for this historic moment should go to Shaheen Hollaway, who has transformed the University’s basketball program.

How has Shaheen Hollaway, who beat Kobe Bryant for the All-American MVP, transformed the Peacocks?

Shaheen may never have made the NBA, but he was a two-time All-American player. And at the All-American all-star game, he beat out Kobe for the MVP. And now he is the head coach of the Saint Peter’s team, a squad that has done something which no one has ever done. The Legendary Coach K of Duke has praised Hollaway and has said that he has transformed the basketball program to millions of dollars. Furthermore, he said that will transform the University providing them with better resources.

In February the team was 12-11, and then Hollaway stressed on defense and they have been undefeated since then. Even though they showed they can slug it out with a powerhouse like Kentucky. Maybe the most impressive part of Saint Peter’s run has been the collective offensive contribution of all 10 players. Unsurprisingly, they showed that swag which allowed to upset Kentucky and Murray State.

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And for Hollaway, this is an incredible achievement. Even though this is his last year, the coach says he is not worried, and he says that this weekend was the culmination of his life’s work. Incredulously, his team has the chance to be the biggest Cinderella story in the NCAA Tournament history.

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