BUFFALO, N.Y. - Jameer Nelson and Delonte West showed why they're one of the best backcourts in the nation.
And it's because of them that Saint Joseph's is heading to the round of 16 for the first time in seven years.
Saint Joseph's beat Texas Tech 70-65 on Saturday - and guess who's waiting for the Hawks in the next round? Billy Packer's alma mater Wake Forest.
"I guarantee you he won't be rooting for us," West said, smiling.
Said Packer, who had questioned whether Saint Joseph's deserved a top seed: "To me it's a non-issue, but I think other people thought it was a big issue. No big deal to me one way or another."
West was on early and Nelson impressive late, the two combining for 39 points.
West scored 11 of his 15 points during a 24-2 first-half run that put the Hawks ahead for good. Nelson struggled, missing five of his first six shots.
"That's why we're a backcourt tandem, we know each other's needs," West said.
Nelson, who scored 14 of his 24 points in the second half, deferred the credit to West, who also added eight assists.
"People are just now noticing him that he's one of the best players in the country," Nelson said.
Texas Tech coach Bob Knight believes in the top-seeded Hawks (29-1).
"From watching the film, I really liked and enjoyed watching them play," Knight said. "It's good for kids to see a really good team play the way those kids do."
Andre Emmett, the Big 12's all-time leading scorer, led Texas Tech (23-11) with 18 points.
Texas Tech erased a seven-point deficit by tying it at 60 when Emmett hit a free throw with 5:09 left.
Pat Carroll responded with a 3-pointer, putting Saint Joseph's ahead. Nelson followed with a 3-pointer and then hit two free throws on the Hawks' next two possessions, giving Saint Joseph's a 68-62 lead with 75 seconds left.
The Red Raiders offense went cold, missing six of its last seven attempts, including Jarrius Jackson's awkward 3-point attempt with five seconds left.
UCONN 72, DePAUL 55: Ben Gordon scored 18 and Emeka Okafor had 10 points and 12 rebounds for the second-seeded Huskies (29-6).
UConn coach Jim Calhoun left the bench midway through the second half during a timeout with an upset stomach but returned with 1:54 left.
The seventh-seeded Blue Demons (22-10) missed their first 10 shots and fell behind 11-0. Consecutive two-hand dunks by Josh Boone in the final minute gave Connecticut a 39-20 halftime edge, a season low for DePaul.
