December 23, 2010: Huskies Coast, Carroll’s Success

Huskies Obliterate Another Opponent: The Dawgs held Nevada to 28.6% shooting, gathered 21 offensive rebounds, and had just 5 turnovers in a 90-60 win. The real competition begins next week when Pac-10 play starts. Washington 8-3. Next game Wednesday @ USC.

Pete Carroll: Coaching Genius?: The Seahawks have the worst individual talent in the NFC West, if Pro Bowl voters are to be believed. Only two Seahawks are among the top 5 vote-getters at their positions — and they’re both guys Carroll brought in before the year: Earl Thomas and Leon Washington. Yet Seattle is tied for 1st in the division. At least from one calculation, Paul Allen is getting his money’s worth. H/T: Field Gulls

Izbicki Iz No More: The sole top-100 recruit of Tyrone Willingham’s 2006 class, Chris Izbicki, has bailed on the Dawgs nine days before his first bowl game. The junior from Lake Washington High had just two catches all year (though one was a TD against USC).

What they’re saying…

“A high-ranking NFL assistant watched film of the Seattle Seahawks this week. ‘They are a joke,’ he said to me.” — Scott Wolf, L.A. Daily News

“McNabb will look good in a Seahawks jersey.” — @JOOGZ206

“Coach Carroll must be wondering if the Seahawks were the right choice. In six years he was 69-8 at USC… Seahawks losses: 8.” — @JeffBoyus

“F*** It! The Seahawks go on a 6-game Winning Streak. Starting NOW!” — @GoSeaHox

“No disrespect to any of the teams we have played but we just know obviously the level is going to go up game in and game out. There’s not necessarily going to be any blow outs. There’s going to be tough games on the road and home.” — Huskies PF Matthew Bryan-Amaning, on the upcoming start of Pac-10 play

In other news…

Marcus Trufant will likely start Sunday against Tampa Bay. The Hawks’ will need Trufant at his best to defend the other Mike Williams.

D1 transitioners Seattle U got an upset win at Virginia last night. The Cavaliers have beaten Oregon, Oklahoma and Virginia Tech this year, but they couldn’t overcome 19 points from Sterling Carter and the rest of the Runnin’ Redhawks.

Wazzu demolished Mississippi State in the first game of the Diamondhead Classic (28 points for Klay Thompson). Resurgent Gonzaga beat Xavier by ten.

Former Seahawks safety Ken Hamlin signed with Indianapolis. Hamlin played 7 games with Baltimore this year before being released November 30.

The 2011 Seattle Storm schedule came out today. Storm blogger Kevin Pelton suggests some games to circle on your calendar.

The Angels pulled their free agent offer to Adrian Beltre.

Today in SPNW…

Todd Dybas asks: Will the UW lose money going to the Holiday Bowl?

Doug Farrar on why Tampa Bay’s success could be a blueprint for the Seahawks.

Looking back at March 2010 in Seattle sports.

Bob Sherwin says Isaiah Thomas looks to be more aggressive as conference play starts.

Today’s action…

NCAA hoops: Washington St. vs. Baylor, Diamondhead Classic, 3:30 p.m. (ESPNU)
Poinsettia Bowl, Navy vs. San Diego St., 5 p.m. (ESPN)
NFL: Carolina @ Pittsburgh, 5:20 p.m. (NFL Network)

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