Saint Peter's gearing up for Sweet 16 matchup against Purdue
JERSEY CITY, N.J. -- The Saint Peter's University men's basketball team headed to Philadelphia on Wednesday, as they look to continue their Cinderella run in the NCAA tournament.
The Jersey City Police Department provided an escort to Philly ahead of Friday night's game against Purdue.
The Peacocks shocking run to the Sweet 16 has brought nationwide attention to the small school.
"I don't know if I ever dreamed of this. This is something that kids dream about when they're young. So just living this opportunity is amazing," guard KC Ndefo said Tuesday.
"We're a 15 seed, we did some things that people didn't think, so we become a Cinderella story. Me personally, I believed in us the whole time," coach Shaheen Holloway said. "I feel like we can plan with anybody, and our guys are proving it right now."
Everything in Jersey City was a little brighter Wednesday.
"We were actually just talking about the game. We think Saint Peter's is gonna go all the way, honestly. Like, they have to win," Saint Peter's University senior Mariella Ortiz said.
At 2,300 students, Saint Peter's is the smallest school in the NCAA Tournament, but they've come up with the biggest moments.
"I mean, we're like witnessing history," sophomore Yanis Benadouda said. "Happy is an understatement. We're proud, we're excited and we're ready to go further."
Student tickets sold out online in 20 seconds.
"It's a different feeling. Anybody in class, this is all on their mind right now. Everybody's talking about this game. Everybody's talking about our basketball team. Everybody's talking about Doug," sophomore Joseph Basilio said.
Doug Edart has become the face of the program with his sensational shots and magnificent mustache.
"Is everybody here gonna be getting, like, fake mustaches to be wearing?" CBS2's Steve Overmyer asked.
"My boyfriend said he was going to get, order one of the fake mustaches off Amazon. I'm like, alright, this is getting out of hand here," senior Stephanie Radakovic said. "The amount of Instagram followers they have now. They're doing, like, sponsorships and everything. It's great. They have their own t-shirts now, it's crazy."
Edart has released his own t-shirt line and signed a promotional deal with Buffalo Wild Wings.
Two of the highest rated shows in America last week were Saint Peter's basketball games. They were seen by more than 12 million people.
"This is bigger than Saint Peter's. This is about New Jersey. Most people I talk to about New Jersey, it's the state you drive over to get where you're going," Basilio said. "Who are we? We're Saint Peter's, and, you know, we'll just gotta show them who we are again this Friday."
The school says sales for merchandise has skyrocketed and their Amazon vendor said they were the highest selling school over the weekend with more than $40,000 in sales.
Watch Steve Overmyer's report
On the quad, there was nothing but love and basketball as students, faculty and fans cheered on the men's team as the players left for Philadelphia.
Peacocks soccer player Dam Blackmore is proud to see his fellow athletes' succeeding.
"It's what we all want to achieve, so for them to do is, is amazing, and I wish them all the luck," he told CBS2's Cory James.
Supporters braved the rain and cold, some holding signs, others carrying children.
Administrator Nicole Decapua brought her kids, ages 2 and 5 -- young minds that might one day remember this moment.
"My little one here who came here Saturday night to watch the game. and we've been watching on TV," she said.
Among those at the send-off were alumni, a sight that touched administrators who are proud to see their school make history.
"It shows the spirit of our school, that people will come out here," said Frederick Bonato, Saint Peter's University provost and vice president of academic affairs.
"What are you hoping for next?" James asked.
"I'm hoping for Elite 8, that's what I'm hoping for," Bonato said, laughing.
That excitement and hope unfolded in the streets as the Peacocks boarded their bus to get ready for the next chapter of their Cinderella story.
"It's just the greatest time ever," one fan said.
"We gonna bring this back home," another fan said.
They're getting ready to face some stiff competition. At one point this season, the Purdue Boilmakers were the number one team in the country.
If Saint Peter's wins, it would be another huge upset for a team that doesn't mind being considered the underdog.
You can watch Friday's game live at 7 p.m. on CBS2, and share your photos with us on social media using the hashtag #CBSNewYork.