THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: GU's big day, and why Wong is still wrong for M's

There’s only one path available today, boys and girls…

Yep, so much has just happened (with even more ABOUT to happen), we need to do a “Notes and Quotes” column just to keep pace.

Apologies, though, that the NHL rudely scheduled that crucial Game 3 of the Kraken-Avalanche series for Monday evening — meaning that we can’t get any result or analysis into the Cheap Seats because of those annoying media evening deadlines.

You should find a game story elsewhere on the page.

I’m hoping the Kraken played well enough — especially through the center ice — to slow down the explosive Avalanche and created the setting to win a tight, low-scoring game.

Among other reasons that I’ll be hoping the Kraken survive as I type this, it would be cool to assure that the series comes back to Seattle for a Game 6 at Climate Pledge Arena.

OK then, moving along …

ITEM: The NFL draft inches closer and closer, and so does all the intrigue regarding plans being hatched by the Seahawks.

If you’re absolutely positive what Pete Carroll and John Schneider have in mind, you’re either WAY inside the inner circle, or …

You’re lying.

One of the top four glamor quarterbacks should be available when Seattle goes on the clock with selection No. 5 — either that, or if they all fly off the board with the first four picks, the Hawks would have their choice of any defensive player in the draft.

That would most likely be Alabama outside rusher Will Anderson Jr., but even that can’t be considered a cinch.

See what I mean about the uncertainly?

What I’m wondering is whether Schneider/Carroll have fallen in love with one particular quarterback, and if they might even maneuver UP to get him.

One way or the other, there will be plenty of drama on Thursday night.

We’ll be taking closer looks at the pros and cons of the Seahawks’ possible decisions in the next couple of days.

Hang in there, it’s exciting stuff.

ITEM: Meantime, Mark Few had a hell of a day last Friday.

Gonzaga managed to address BOTH of its most critical needs via the transfer portal, landing Creighton point guard Ryan Nembhard and Wyoming big man Graham Ike.

Indeed, Nembhard is the younger brother of former Zags star Andrew Nembhard — who just finished a terrific rookie year with the Indiana Pacers.

There was a fascinating sub-plot to the capture of Nembhard, who averaged 12 points and nearly 5 assists per game last season as Creighton made it to the Elite Eight.

At one point, Ryan seemed certain to land at Arizona, given that longtime Gonzaga assistant Tommy Lloyd recruited Andrew — both out of high school and then with his move from Florida to Gonzaga.

In fact, with Wildcats point man Kerr Kriisa popping out of the portal at West Virginia, it appeared Nembhard would fill that vacancy at Arizona.

There even were rumors that Lloyd and his staff contacted Nembhard so early that it might have constituted tampering — although no formal accusations ever materialized.

In the end, Ryan and Andrew visited both Gonzaga and Arizona together, and Few won the battle against his best friend.

Ike, on the other hand, appeared bound for Spokane once he chose to transfer.

The 6-9, 255-pound bully in the post was the Mountain West preseason player of the year prior to the 2022-23 season, but ultimately missed the entire year with a foot injury.

Ike is healthy now, and will be bringing 19.5 points per game and a shade under 10 rebounds on average to Gonzaga — where Kaden Perry (recovering from a back injury) was the only true post player on the roster.

Remember, the Zags already landed talented 6-7 shooter Steele Venters from Eastern Washington, so …

The Zags’ predicted demise may have been a little hasty.

ITEM: I know, I know.

It’s still early in the baseball season. I’ve been covering MLB for roughly four decades, and I understand the folly of making decisions after just 22 games.

However …

I’ve seen enough of Kolten Wong.

The offseason acquisition from Milwaukee is really a nice guy, and he had three hits in Sunday’s 7-3 loss to the Cardinals — all ground ball singles, one which didn’t make it out of the infield, and two more that barely crept to the outfield grass.

Good for him.

The three singles raised his batting average to .140 (with no extra-base hits), but that’s not why I wish the Mariners would find another second baseman.

Cases in point …

In the fourth inning, score tied 3-3 and St. Louis with two runners on base, Paul Goldschmidt lined out to shortstop J.P. Crawford.

Runner Lars Nootbaar had wandered off second, giving the Mariners a chance to double him up and end the inning.

Except …

Wong somehow dropped Crawford’s routine throw, leaving Nootbaar on second and keeping the inning alive for Nolan Gorman to wallop a three-run homer on the next pitch.

Instead of 3-3, the Mariners were suddenly in a 6-3 hole.

But wait …

Let’s go back two innings.

Wong was on first base with two out, when Crawford hit a long, high double to left-center that should have scored Wong easily.

Except (again) …

Wong had lost track of the outs, wasn’t running on contact, waited for the ball to bounce against the wall, and had to stop at third.

I’m sorry, that’s Little League stuff.

Like I said, I’ve seen enough of Kolten Wong.

Play Jose Caballero or Sam Haggerty at second until Dylan Moore gets healthy.

Please.

It can’t get worse.

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Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press four times each week, normally Tuesday through Friday unless, you know, stuff happens.

Steve suggests you take his opinions in the spirit of a Jimmy Buffett song: “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On.”