Random Notes

• Good column in the Seattle Times today from Jerry Brewer on Tyrone Willingham. One of the key points he makes is what the fallout might be from having a fourth head coach in six years. Some people just don't realize the kind of impact a coaching change can have on recruiting and how that can set a program back. Just look at when Willingham was hired, UW missed out on any real shot at getting Jonathan Stewart, because they essentially didn't have a coach. By the time Willingham was hired, it was too late in the game. Although recruiting may not mean much to people until it actually produces on the field, Willingham for all intents and purposes has been doing a very good job. Next year will be the first year with almost all players brought into the program by Willingham himself. The other encouraging sign I have noticed this season is all the positive things said by current players, as well as recruits about Willingham and the direction of the program. If the top high school players in the state believe the program is headed in the right direction enough to come play at UW, then maybe it truly is. Only time will tell.
  

• Regardless of how you feel about Shaun Alexander, the Seahawks run game is better with both Alexander and Mo Morris involved. I like Morris a lot and he has done a great job this season, but he still isn't the type of back who you want carrying the ball 25-30 times. He is much more effective with a smaller workload and working off of Alexander's contrasting running style. Alexander is simply not the player he was two years ago anymore and he is also not capable of producing with that many carries. But as shown by Sunday's game, with both players working off of each other, the Hawks can run the ball pretty well. And that is something that will make them a much better team and is probable necessary for them to go deep into the playoffs.
  

• The Huskies basketball team has now dug themselves into a hole. This weekends game against Pitt has now become almost a must win. With the strength of the Pac-10 this year, they simply can't afford to have four or five non-conference losses. What's troubling is that the problems this year are very similar to last season. Too many turnovers and giving up too many points. Oklahoma State shot nearly 60% in that blowout on Saturday. Clearly they just had a good shooting day and sometimes there isn't much you can do about that, but it was also partly due to a lot of easy and open shots. There is no doubt this is a talented team, but maybe they are still a year away.