Run, baby, run

Not to jinx it, but the Saint Peter's University men's basketball team is in the semifinals of its league tournament (the mighty Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) in Atlantic City today. The SPU Peacocks, from my alma mater in Jersey City, have the best record of the remaining four teams. Today they face Quinnipiac, the Bobcats, at 5:30 p.m. West Coast time. The winner of that one plays for the championship tomorrow afternoon against the winner of today's other contest, between the Rider Broncs and the Monmouth Hawks.

The champ in A.C. gets to go to the NCAA National Tournament, where they will be annihilated in the first round by men twice their size. But still, they will be on the bracket card and give their fans another few days to cheer for them.

There have been some upsets so far in the league tourney. Quinnipiac was the 11 seed and Rider the 9. Monmouth was the 4 and the Peacocks were the 2. I'd be fine with there being no further upsets, thank you.

During the regular season, Saint Peter's won every game against Quinnipiac and Monmouth. But Peter's split a pair with Rider, who edged out 1-seed Iona by a single point on Wednesday. Rider is pesky.

The Peacocks are seeking to avenge a loss that their women's team suffered at the hands of Quinnipiac on Wednesday. 

I've been wearing my old Saint Peter's sweatshirt for a few days now. It dates back to the late '90s, when the school was still a college and I was still a middle-aged alumnus. But I hope to have reason to be wearing it again tomorrow, even though it is not daisy fresh.

UPDATE, Friday night: St. Peter's trailed at halftime, 31–30, but won the game, 64–52.