Although Iowa State guard Dedric Willoughby only turned in 10 points, 7.5 below his normal average, his prescence played a key factor in the Cyclone victory last Saturday against Texas Tech, according to Head Coach Tim Floyd.

“Dedric Willoughby’s presence meant an awful lot to our team,” Floyd said after the game. After sitting out one and a half games, the 6′ 3″ senior started against the Red Raiders and played 39 minutes and 30 seconds before leaving with what appeared to be another injury.

Fortunately for the Cyclones, Willoughby’s injury was nothing serious.

“I felt something, but it was nothing compared to Kansas,” he said after the game. “I wouldn’t call it a pull. It made no sense to risk hurting myself.”

Willoughby said he is more than likely to be ready again for Wednesday’s road trip to Nebraska. He said he was at about 85 percent against Texas Tech.

“I wanted to go out there and see what I could do,” Willoughby said. “I like to be out there. I get tired of watching the practices from an excercise bike.”

Willoughby said he didn’t know if he would play Saturday until the pre-game practice that morning. Although it was his decision to play, it was up to Floyd whether to start Willoughby or not.

When the decision to start him was announced, Cyclone fans responded with an erruption of cheers. “Hearing the crowd was the greatest feeling,” Willoughby said. “They were very, very supportive while I was out.”

Although he struggled with his first few shots, Willoughby made a key three-point basket with four minutes left in the first half to give the Cyclones a three-point lead.

His second three-pointer came with 17 minutes left in the second half, following a blocked shot by Kelvin Cato, and sending the sold-out Hilton crowd into an uproar.

Willoughby’s teammates were also glad to see him back on the floor.

“With Dedric back, it opens up a lot more options for everyone else,” senior forward Shawn Bankhead said.

“It really helps our team just having him out there.”

Willoughby was just three for 13 from the field and two for eight from three-point range. He added three rebounds and three assists.

“He’s one of our teammates and we want all of our teammates to be healthy,” senior forward Kenny Pratt said.

Willoughby also felt his presence on the court helped the chemisty of the team.

“We were more into each other,” he said.

“The game went just like we wanted it to, except my shots just weren’t falling. That’s from not shooting everyday.”

With Willoughby back, the Cyclones look to improve their record to 15 and 3 against Nebraksa.

“When they get him back, they should be one of the five best teams in the country,” Texas Tech Coach James Dickey said about Willoughby and the Cyclones.

Until then, Willoughby said he will take practice one day at a time.