Huskies humble NC State

Even before Sunday night's tip-off against N.C. State, Washington junior Brandon Roy admitted that he was unsure if he could play against the Wolfpack.



However, Roy, who wasn't even three weeks into his four-to-six week rehabilitation period after arthroscopic surgery on a torn meniscus in his knee, entered the game against the Wolfpack with 4:19 remaining in the opening half to the roaring approval of a capacity crowd. 



"I was anticipating coming back for this game the whole time," said Roy, wanting to play in the Huskies biggest non-conference home game in their history. "I just didn't want to let the secret out too early."



Once Roy had entered the game, UW coach Lorenzo Romar stuck with his star player.

"We couldn't take him out," Romar said with a smile.

In 18 minutes of play, Roy was a perfect 5-for-5 from the field, scoring 10 points and snatching three rebounds for the 18th-ranked Huskies, but, most importantly, it was Roy who met N.C. State's Julius Hodge in the game's most crucial play, securing the 68-64 victory over the No. 12 Wolfpack.



After Nate Robinson missed a late free throw, the Wolfpack had 10 seconds on the clock, down 66-64. Hodge, the ACC Player of the Year last season, made a move past Robinson on the left wing and drove to the hoop. Roy, with a sleeve protecting his left knee, went vertical, meeting Hodge in midair.



Hodge missed the shot, and the ball scooted out of bounds. 



"I knew he was going to go up and shoot it," Roy said. "I went up and kind of tipped it before I got high enough, and it slipped out of his hands." 



N.C. State players, however, were looking for a foul call on Roy, as the players collided in mid air.

"I asked Julius and he said he got hit with the body, and I believe him," said N.C. State coach Herb Sendek. "From my angle it looked like it was."

Roy's early return was the saving grace for the Huskies, who otherwise struggled against the Wolfpack. Nate Robinson, who had been averaging 22.5 points per game entering the contest, shot only 2-of-11 for seven points. Seniors Tre Simmons and Will Conroy also had sub-par nights, shooting 40 percent.



Bobby Jones, considered to be Washington's best defensive player, sat out the final 5:24 of the game after picking up his fifth foul.



"It makes this win even more special when we can still find a way to win," Romar said.



UW center Hakeem Rollins sat out Sunday's game, as he went under arthroscopic surgery Wednesday to clean out his knee. Rollins is expected to return by the conference season.



The Huskies haven't played a full game with a healthy, active roster the entire season. But, right now, the Huskies are just excited to have Roy back in the lineup.

Said Robinson, "Now that he's back, we're going to be even more dangerous."

The Huskies host Sacred Heart Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.

Additional notes:

• Hodge, who was named ACC Player of the Year last season, didn't impress Husky players too much. Said Nate Robinson, "(Roy) is better, by far."

• Approximately 40 students camped out in front of Hec Edmondson Pavilion Saturday night in order to secure the arena's best seats.

• New UW head coach Tyrone Willingham was introduced to the crowd during halftime. Willingham already had a less-formal introduction earlier that day when he offered free pizza to students waiting to enter the game. Romar brought doughnuts for the students earlier in the morning.