Shaheen Holloway and Saint Peter’s nearly brought down St. John’s on opening night of the college basketball season at Carnesecca Arena.
Now the Peacocks will face another Power-6 team when they visit Maryland on Friday in a guaranteed game in which the Terps pay Saint Peter’s for the contest. The game will air on the Big Ten Network at 3 p.m.
“They just called us [Wednesday] and we needed another game, especially another guaranteed game, so I decided to do it, ”Peacocks coach Shaheen Holloway, former McDonald’s All- associate head coach, said by phone on Thursday. American and former associate head coach of Seton Hall.
“It’s a great opportunity for my team. They have the chance to play against a Big Ten school, a big opponent, a big school, a big coach, a nationwide televised game. That’s all you could ask for, especially for a mid-major, so whenever you can get games like this, you jump on them.
Maryland (3-0) had games against Monmouth, Towson and George Mason scheduled for this week, but all have been called off due to COVID-19 concerns. The Terps, selected 10th in the Big Ten, are also set to open the conference game against Rutgers on December 14.
The Peacocks (2-1), tied for third at the MAAC, picked up victories over La Salle and Stony Brook and came close to beating St. John’s on November 25, but Vince Cole scored a three-point winner in the match. last seconds. They come off an 82-68 win over Stony Brook on Tuesday.
“Saint Peter’s looks like Seton Hall in different uniforms,” Maryland coach Mark Turgeon, whose team lost to Seton Hall last December at the Prudential Center, told NJ Advance Media. “[It’s a] big game for us. They will squeeze, play tough and their match 2-3[-up zone]. They have great tenacity and team speed versatility. Extremely well trained with excellent players.
One of those players is second-year winger Fousseyni Drame, who was named MAAC player of the week on Monday after averaging 15.5 points at the top of the team with 6.5 rebounds against St. John’s and La Salle. He was named league rookie of the week three times last winter.
“For me, it’s an opportunity for my guys to dress up and be thankful that I get to play that great basketball game every time,” Holloway said. “And for me, I’m getting to know my team because I’m still learning.”
Holloway wore a white towel over his shoulder to honor the late John Thompson Jr., the legendary Georgetown coach who died in August at the age of 78. He’s one of a number of coaches – both black and white – honoring Thompson and his plans. to continue to do so in the future.
“Yes I will wear it [Friday],” he said.
SAINT-PIERRE REJECTS ZARIQUE NUTTER
Saint Peter’s has officially announced that former school goalkeeper Patrick, Zarique Nutter, has been fired from the team. The news was first reported on Twitter by NJ Advance Media.
“He’s not on the team anymore,” Holloway said.
The 6-foot-5 Nutter signed up in April.
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Adam Zagoria is a freelance journalist who covers Seton Hall and NJ College Basketball for NJ Advance Media.
