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PHILADELPHIA — More than his teammates, more than any of the three previous Saint Peter’s victims, R.J. Davis knows what to expect early Sunday evening at Wells Fargo Center.
The North Carolina guard knows how hard the Peacocks will play. How tough they will defend. How physical they will be. It won’t be new to the White Plains native and former Archbishop Stepinac star.
“They got tough kids from the New York and New Jersey area. It just shows how much grit and confidence they have [to get to this point],” Davis said Saturday, on the eve of the East Region final between No. 8-seed North Carolina and Cinderella Saint Peter’s, the 15th-seed that is looking to make NCAA Tournament history. “They don’t back down from anyone, and that’s just what New York and New Jersey is about. They’re not afraid of anyone. They’re playing well. They’re here for a reason.”
Davis, a talented sophomore guard and the all-time leading scorer in Westchester County history, is close with Saint Peter’s freshman guard Jaylen Murray. The two played AAU together and have remained friends. Davis gave Murray a call after Saint Peter’s stunned Kentucky.
“That’s like a brother to me,” Davis said.
While Davis has been focused on his own team, he has followed Saint Peter’s and is thrilled to see how far it has gotten, particularly since the team is loaded with local players.
“There’s a lot of critics that say [the] New York [area] is down, so just to see them make this run, it’s amazing,” Davis said.
Davis himself has enjoyed a strong year, keying the 180-degree turn North Carolina has made over the last two months. He became a full-time starter this year, averaging 13.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and shooting 38.3 percent from 3-point range. He led the Tar Heels to a second-round upset of top-seeded Baylor, scoring a career-high 30 points, and has notched 21 assists compared to just six turnovers in three tournament games.
“I’m just confident,” the 6-foot guard said. “This is nothing new to me. I’ve been this way my whole life.”
Davis knows he will be on the side of the villains Sunday. North Carolina is trying to prevent history. But he’s living out a dream, too. He grew up watching the NCAA Tournament, imagining what it would be like to be part of it. Now he’s one step away from a trip to New Orleans for the Final Four.
“I’m just enjoying everything,” Davis said. “I’m taking advantage of it.”
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