St. Joseph's will answer its critics on the court

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- St. Joseph's University is finished trying to impress its critics.

The Hawks think they've done enough -- a 29-1 record, a top seed in the NCAA tournament and two decisive wins on their way to the round of 16.

So don't expect them to put any extra emphasis on the fact that vocal critic, and Wake Forest graduate, Billy Packer will be broadcasting their game against the Demon Deacons.

"People are going to say what they're going to say," All-America guard Jameer Nelson said Wednesday. "They've been saying things about us all year. We don't take it as motivation. We just play through it. I think we do a great job of blocking things out."

Any questions about the Hawks' strength of schedule could be answered in East Rutherford, the only regional where the top four seeds advanced. Second-seeded Oklahoma State (29-3) plays No. 3 seed Pittsburgh (31-4) in the first game Thursday night, before St. Joe's plays fourth-seeded Wake Forest (21-9).

"We kind of just fit in," Martelli said. "We're not as fast as Wake. We're pretty good defensively. We're not as good defensively as Pitt and Oklahoma State. I think people have a tough time really touching and feeling us."

Despite the talent of the teams, the presence of Packer was hard to ignore. When the tournament field was announced, Packer went on national television and quickly rattled off several teams that he felt were more deserving of a No. 1 seed than the Hawks.

Martelli shot back, calling the announcer a "jackass."

On Wednesday during the team's practice session, Martelli walked across the court at a certain point to shake hands with Packer and chat briefly.

"I think it was just Martelli's master plot to get more media attention," Hawks guard Tyrone Barley said of the feud. "Little schools don't get enough credit."