Nick Pironio
Prior to last night’s game, Shelden Williams reportedly said he wasn’t familiar with Cedric Simmons. Simmons was more than happy to introduce himself, saying hello with a 28-point, nine- rebound, and seven-block performance.
“Ced kept us in the game all night,” senior Cameron Bennerman said. “If [Williams] didn’t know who he was, he knows now.”
Coach Mike Krzyzewski said that Duke’s game plan defensively focused on shutting down State’s three-point threats, which left Williams one on one with Simmons for most of the night. State recognized Duke’s strategy almost immediately and fed Simmons for their first eight points of the game.
At the 15:00 mark in the first half, Simmons was rejected by Williams, yet refused to give up on the play. The 6-foot-10 center ripped the ball out of the air and then crafted a spinning lay-up to give the Pack their first lead of the game at 8-7. Simmons didn’t back down from Williams on the play, and this was a microcosm of Simmons’ effort the entire night.
“Duke’s game plan defensively made it very important to go inside to [Simmons],” coach Herb Sendek said. “He responded with another really good game for us.”
Simmons posted personal highs with 28 points, 11 field goals, and 18 field goal attempts. Aside from the numbers, however, was Simmons’ remarkable composure on the court – something that caught the attention of his opponents.
“I liked the way [Simmons’] attitude was-he wasn’t out there talking smack like a lot of guys do. He’s just out there having fun,” Duke point guard Sean Dockery said. “I appreciate guys like that.”
Maybe Simmons was unaware that he was going head to head with Duke’s all-time leading shot blocker, a record Williams set at the 5:16 mark of the first half. Maybe Simmons was unaware of the raucous crowd, who, in unison, mocked his university with chants of “big high school.”
Maybe he was unaware that no one expected him to play this good.
“I’m going to come away with a lot of confidence from this game,” Simmons said. “I was amped up to play, and I ended up with a big game.”
While Simmons put forth a champion’s effort all night, it was Williams who came away victorious. Though Williams was overshadowed by Simmons’ brilliance, his veteran savvy was on display down the stretch.
With 2:30 remaining, Simmons and Williams stood grid-locked near midcourt. Williams, recognizing that Simmons was trying to create space to dribble, willingly stuck his head in the way of Simmons’ knifing elbows.
Simmons inadvertently gave Williams a shot to the head, yet it was Williams who had given his team a big play. Simmons was whistled for a foul and Duke got the ball.
“If I was that good looking, I don’t know if I’d do that,” Krzyzewski said, referring to Williams’ literal heads-up move.
With a little over a minute remaining, and his team up by five, Williams concluded his lesson plan with a block on Simmons’ layup attempt. The block ultimately sealed the victory as State would go scoreless the remainder of the game.
Whether Williams was truly aware of Simmons prior to the game is still a mystery, but he left no doubt that No. 33 would be someone he’s going to be keeping an eye on.
“That guy’s got a big upside in the future,” Williams said of Simmons. “I’m expecting a lot of great things from him.”