St. Peter’s looks to be the first 15-seed to win in the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16

Since the tournament expanded in 1985, just three (including St. Peter's) of 296 No. 15 seeds have reached the Sweet 16. The first two lost, but covered the spread.

Saint Peter's players celebrate after defeating Murray State.Read moreDarron Cummings / AP

by Ed Barkowitz, For The Inquirer

Published March 21, 2022, 3:24 p.m. ET

Offered to take renowned sports bettor “Spanky” to dinner this Friday. At his level, it’s helpful to use a pseudonym. He lives in the New York area and he’s going to be in town for the St. Peter’s game Friday against Purdue. Unfortunately, he had to decline.

“I’ll be with a big Jersey City caravan,” he replied regrettably.

Hope Philadelphia knows what’s in store this weekend. Sounds like New York is going to invade the Wells Fargo Center, but instead of coming to jeer the Flyers or Sixers, they are flocking in to celebrate 15th-seeded St. Peter’s unlikely appearance in the Sweet 16.

Since the tournament expanded in 1985, there have been 296 teams seeded either 15 or 16 and just three have made it to the Sweet 16: St. Peter’s, No. 15 Oral Roberts last year, and No. 15 Florida Gulf Coast in 2013. And that 296 is not counting the 32 No. 16 seeds who lost play-in games since 2001.

St. Peter’s reached the East Regionals (aka Sweet 16) by beating second-seeded Kentucky as an 18-point underdog and seventh-seeded Murray State as an 8-point ‘dog. If you had a $100 money-line play on both games, you’d be up $1,500. Friday’s money line against Purdue is +600.

While no 16th seed has ever reached this round, two 14th seeds have, in addition to the previous two No. 15s. All lost their Sweet 16 games, but all covered.

St. Peter’s was 500-1 at the start of the tournament at FanDuel to win the championship. Most ‘books have some liability on the Peacocks, but not nearly what they might have on Arizona. FanDuel said it took nearly 100 wagers, including a $1,000 play that would pay a half-million dollars. When the Peacocks’ odds dropped to 200-1 after beating Murray State, BetMGM sold a $4,000 ticket that is worth $800k.

The likelihood of St. Peter’s winning four more games and cashing these tickets is incalculable — but the Peacocks certainly should be more than 200-1 at MGM or even the 300-1 at the SuperBook.

One more thing. If Spanky and his boys want action on St. Peter’s, they’ll need to stay in Pennsylvania. Wagering on schools located in the Garden State is prohibited in New Jersey.

Lowest seeds to reach Sweet 16

2022 — No. 15 St. Peter’s plays No. 3 Purdue at the Wells Fargo Center. The Peacocks are 12.5-point underdogs.

2021 — No. 15 Oral Roberts lost to No. 3 Arkansas, 72-70, in Indianapolis. ORU easily covered the 11.5-point spread and nearly won the game. It blew a 12-point lead and watched as Arkansas hit the game-winner with three seconds left in what was a mostly empty Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

2013 — No. 15 Florida Gulf Coast lost to No. 3 Florida, 62-50, in Arlington, Texas. FGCU’s “Dunk City” run started in Philadelphia but fizzled when it ran into the Gators. Still managed to cover the 13-point spread, but the 135.5 total never got home.

1997 — No. 14 Chattanooga lost to No. 10 Providence, 71-65, in Birmingham, Ala. Another loss, but another cover as the Mocs stayed within the 8-point spread. They had the game tied with 8 minutes left, but Providence, led by guard God Shammgod, pulled away.

» READ MORE: Ashley Howard out as La Salle head coach

1986 — No. 14 Cleveland State lost to No. 7 Navy, 71-70, in East Rutherford, N.J. David Robinson, the greatest player in Navy history, hit a short jumper with six seconds left for the win. Cleveland State, led throughout the year by diminutive point guard Ken “Mouse” McFadden, covered the 2-point spread.

About the 13s

Six No. 13 seeds have made the Sweet 16. None advanced, three covered. The most recent, La Salle in 2013, was a 4.5-point underdog and fell to Wichita State by 12.

This & that

NBA: Sixers over/under-win-watch is getting a little tight. BetMGM had them at 50.5 in the preseason. They entered Monday’s game vs. top-seeded Miami at 43-27, needing to win eight of their final 12 to reach over. (Or lose five of their final 12 to secure under.)

College basketball: A $10 money-line parlay on Villanova men (-225 vs. Michigan, Thursday) and Villanova women (+625 at Michigan, Monday) would pay $94.72 at BetMGM if both won.

Men’s NIT: Impressive work by the oddsmakers. The over/under for Sunday’s North Texas-Virginia game was 110.5, a ridiculous indictment of two awful offenses. Virginia won it in overtime, but it was 55-55 at the end of regulation. North Texas had the ball with a chance to win but shot an air ball. The teams then combined to score 30 points in the five-minute overtime. Go figure.

College hoops picks

Went 1-2 on Saturday. Losers were under-UCLA 126.5 (Bruins beat St. Mary’s 72-56, grrr), and over-Arkansas 139.5 (Razorbacks beat New Mexico State 53-48, the over never had a prayer). Winner was North Carolina +5.5 (Tar Heels gagged a 25-point lead to Baylor, but won in overtime).

Went 2-2 on Sunday. Had Ohio State money line (lost to Villanova) and Auburn -7.5 (lost outright to Miami). Winners were Houston -4.5 (pulled away from Illinois, 68-53), and Purdue team total over 68.5 (beat Texas, 81-71).

Record for first two rounds: 10-8 (55.6%).

And finally

Professional sports bettor Bill Krackomberger offers this sage advice for those betting in-game, especially on basketball. The video feed on our mobile device, kiosk or other mechanism is way behind what they’re seeing on the other side of the window, which gives the house a distinct advantage.

“Only play live wagers during commercials,” he said. “The books have at least 10 seconds on what you think is live.”