No. 1 seeds from last year meet as Illinois faces Washington

Washington (25-6) vs. Illinois (26-6) 5:30 pm EST

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- Both Illinois and Washington had their chances for glory pass them by last season.

The fourth-seeded Fighting Illini and the No. 5 Huskies continue their quests for a second chance when they meet Saturday in the second round of the NCAA Tournament's Washington, D.C. Region.

Each squad entered the 2005 NCAA Tournament as a No. 1 seed, but were unable to turn the easier draw into a first national title. Illinois (26-6) barely fell short, losing in the national championship game against North Carolina.

Washington did not fare as well, suffering a loss to Louisville in the "Sweet Sixteen."

Behind their senior leader Brandon Roy, the Huskies (25-6) got a great start in getting at least that far by upending 12th-seeded Utah State in Thursday's first round, 75-61.

The Pac-10 Conference Player of the Year, Roy scored 28 points, handed out five assists and made three steals. Bobby Jones and freshman Justin Dentmon added 11 points apiece as Washington evened its all-time mark in the event at 13-13.

While a senior paced the Huskies, the Illini turned to freshman Jamar Smith to help them get by Air Force in the first round, 78-69. Smith made six 3-pointers en route to 20 points and Illinois shot 58 percent (29-of-50) from the floor.

Coach Bruce Weber's club has made it past the first round of the NCAAs each of the past seven seasons and in its last eight trips overall. During that stretch, the Illini are 17-8 in the event.

Washington has won three of the five prior meetings between the teams, the last coming in 1991. The winner will meet ...