Why Saint Peter’s was the ultimate underdog

PHILADELPHIA — With one minute and 21 seconds remaining in the most magical week of their lives, with spotlights dimming and reality about to strike, the seven men who’d inspired millions huddled tight.

They knew, a little after 7 p.m. here on Sunday, that the end was near, that fairy dust had lapsed. College basketball’s aristocracy had risen to restore order. The Saint Peter’s Peacocks, America’s darlings, had been no match for North Carolina. Soon, they’d exit the NCAA tournament stage right.

But for 11 days, they’d done the unthinkable. They’d captured hearts and minds across the globe. They’d defied resource imbalances and upended power structures and “made history,” head coach Shaheen…