Saint Peter’s shooting for consistency and synergy in MAAC tournament

Shaheen Holloway and Saint Peter’s look to end streaky stretch in MAAC tournament. (Photo by NJ Advance Media)

His Saint Peter’s team may be considered among the favorites in this week’s Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament, but Shaheen Holloway pulled no punches when discussing what has plagued the Peacocks on their up-and-down journey to Atlantic City.

“I think our defense has been really good this year,” Holloway began, before revealing the real issue in the room before Saint Peter’s takes on Rider in Thursday’s quarterfinal round. “I have no complaints with our defense. I’m having trouble with our offense. Some teams could go on pause and come back and not miss a beat, but the two pauses we were on hurt us offensively, hurt our rhythm.”

“Before we went on pause, I thought we were playing at a good pace, and think about this: My team was on pause and we haven’t had a positive case. That, I thought really messed up our rhythm offensively, so I’ve got to find a way to get some rhythm back offensively. We’re not making shots, we’re not executing, and I’ve got to try to find a way to turn that around.”

Holloway and the Peacocks do have a weapon exclusive to them that very few teams in the country, let alone the MAAC, have been able to contain in junior forward KC Ndefo. The unanimous first team all-conference selection embodies the style and tenor of Saint Peter’s on-court product, and if it were up to his coach, would be the MAAC Player of the Year, an honor Ndefo remains very much in contention for, with his prime competition being Manny Camper of Siena.

“All those guys are very good players,” said Holloway of the first team, which also includes Camper’s teammate, Jalen Pickett, as well as Monmouth guard Deion Hammond and Isaiah Ross of Iona. “But me, myself, when I look at player of the year, he means everything to that team. No disrespect to any of those other guys, because those guys are very good, but if you take KC off our team, our team is clearly not the same.”

“I’m not sure you could say that about any of the other guys, so in my eyes, I think he’s the player of the year hands down. The things he’s done this year alone and the things he’s done for our program and our team, I don’t think it’s close.”

Should Saint Peter’s win its first MAAC crown in ten years, it will signal the culmination of what many thought to be destiny when Holloway replaced John Dunne in 2018. However, with a group still finding its way and working out its kinks, the affable and emotional coach is simply looking to get his squad on the same page and find a sustainable level of growth, although he did take a moment to explain the significance of a testimonial.

“This group has been a little different, just so much inconsistency,” he surmised. “It’s funny because I hear a lot about how my team is an older group. They don’t realize I have four freshmen, five sophomores and one junior. They’re still learning how to play and play together. But if that was to happen, it would mean everything to the community of Jersey City and Saint Peter’s if we could ever get to that point.”