JERSEY CITY, N.J. — Jaylen "JuJu" Murray dreamed of playing college basketball while playing on the courts of the Bronx, growing up in Highbridge.

The Freshman Guard is now part of a St. Peter's University squad playing in the regional semifinal round, the Sweet 16, of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.

"For me to be in this position in my first year, it's a blessing," said Murray.

What You Need To Know

  • The St. Peter's University Peacocks have reached the 'Sweet 16' round of the NCAA Division One Men's Basketball Tournament

  • The Peacocks defeated powerhouse Kentucky and Murray State last week to advance

  • The team is lead by Head Coach Shaheen Holloway, who was raised in South Jamaica, Queens

  • This is the Peacocks 4th appearance in the NCAA Tournament, the first time since 2011

The Cinderella story of the St. Peter's team, the Peacocks, has captured national attention.

First, they knocked off perennial powerhouse Kentucky in the first round of the tournament last Thursday, followed by another upset win over Murray State Saturday, to advance to the next round.

They play Purdue Friday evening in Philadelphia. Head coach Shaheen Holloway, who grew up in South Jamaica, Queens, is trying not to let the hoopla over the team get in the way of their goal.

"I focus on the mission and what's in front of me right now. And what's in front of me is helping these young gentlemen accomplish their goals and dreams," said Holloway.

St. Peter's is a Jesuit University located on 30 acres in Jersey City, about a 12-minute PATH train ride from Manhattan, with about 3,000 students. In comparison, the University of Kentucky has around 30,000.

Peacocks senior forward and defensive whiz KC Ndefo, who grew up on the Queens-Nassau Border in Elmont, says the team is receiving support from the entire metro area, including players from other local college teams.

"All the other basketball teams you know St. Johns, LIU they are reaching out to us to keep going, put it on for our area, and just stay the course and keep winning," said Ndefo.

The Peacocks totally believe they can do just that said JuJu Murray.

"Our coaches believe in us, we believe in each other, so confidence is very high for us right now, very high," said Murray.