mini-feature on simmons in Jay Bilas' notebook that i just found..

Quote :

"• The more I watch Cedric Simmons of N.C. State, the more I believe he's one of the best big men in the country. Simmons is athletic and very active around the goal. He can get off the floor quickly and is developing a very good feel for the game. Simmons is playing instinctively, instead of thinking his way through a game, and his numbers have reflected that. He's averaging 13 points, seven rebounds and 3.5 blocks in ACC play and can use either hand around the basket or step away and hit a face-up jumper. Herb Sendek's team may lack explosive athleticism, but Simmons and Cameron Bennerman help make up for that. The only thing that State doesn't have is a player who can take you off the dribble and get a shot off, and the Pack is also not a great rebounding group. N.C. State doesn't get credit for being a really solid defensive team that does a great job of staying solid, helping, rotating and staying in front and challenging shots. The Wolfpack will not turn you over, but they make penetrating moves difficult. You better hope that Sendek's team gets clipped in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, because it will be no fun to prepare for N.C. State in just one day. The only solace you can take is that the Princeton offense tendencies are much more of a known commodity. Most every league has a team that runs it, and the mystery is gone for most. "

2/11/2006 10:55:18 AM

he also lists tony bethel as one of his underrated players.

2/11/2006 6:45:39 PM

if simmons is one of the best big men in the country then I like hansbrough's AA chances

2/11/2006 6:47:40 PM

simmons good with both hands? bilas is an idiot. Simmons can't drop step to his left hand to save his life. How many times have we seen him turn inside into defenders instead of making the dropstep?


he's good and has a lot of potential, but he's not elite, yet.

2/11/2006 6:51:02 PM

But next year....he should be extremely badass.

2/12/2006 5:11:03 AM

simmons is great....we just dont use him enough in the acc

2/12/2006 9:02:44 AM

uh

what?

2/12/2006 2:07:33 PM

BTTT for a great game!!!!!!!!!!

2/12/2006 3:13:22 PM

Simmons laid a big egg in this game

2/12/2006 3:14:54 PM

He's laid big eggs in the past couple of games. It's like he's completely regressed.

2/12/2006 3:15:17 PM

i havent seen him since the duke game

2/12/2006 3:15:51 PM

nah, it's experience. Gts forwards were faster, and he doesnt have the foot speed or experience to defend that. Furthermore, he has no help from a brain dead brackman and a flopping evtimov. We perhaps need to think about doubling or collapsing in more when guys catch it deep.

[Edited on February 12, 2006 at 3:17 PM. Reason : sdf]

2/12/2006 3:16:47 PM

Quote :

"i havent seen him since the duke game "

Yep. I think all the press after the Duke game slacked him off. Nigga been worthless since then.

2/12/2006 3:17:12 PM

I don't think you can blame the "flopping Evtimov" on the fact that Simmons has sucked on offense lately as well.

2/12/2006 3:18:20 PM