THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: Zags loading up early; Pete may be around a while longer

Notes and quotes time again, ladies and gentlemen…

As usual, though, I’m obliged to start with a personal item — and this is an issue I NEVER thought would make it into print.

I’ve been seriously surprised by a mini-debate over the mug shot that appears with this column.

It started with that photo in which I’m enjoying a cigar.

It’s not a prop, either, because although I’ve never, ever smoked cigarettes, I do enjoy the occasional cigar.

On the golf course, maybe, or lounging outside on the deck.

So, anyhow…

The emails arrived — lots of them.

Some readers didn’t like it the cigar, while others thought it looked pretty cool for a sports columnist.

Now then…

As you can see, at present we’re running a mug shot with no cigar in sight.

I’m not wild about this particular photo, though, and I’ve got a picture I really like in which I’m smoking an awesome Montecristo.

The obvious answer is to switch photos back and forth from time to time, no?

Thank you so much, and let’s move along…

ITEM: Coach Mark Few said a couple of weeks ago that he suspected Gonzaga’s non-conference schedule would wind up being a lot tougher after COVID-related adjustment.

He wasn’t kidding.

The Zags will be warming up for WCC play by competing in what looks more like the March version of an Elite Eight battle than games just to work out the kinks before conference play.

We know that the Zags will open the season (officially) in the Orlando Invitational over Thanksgiving weekend.

They’ve traditionally had a preseason scrimmage-type game against a local school, so we’ll see if they warm up with something like that.

Then to business…

In the Orlando tournament, the Zags will encounter a field that includes Auburn, Belmont, Michigan State, St. Louis, Xavier — and everyone’s good old pals from Boise State.

Siena was originally in the field, but may bow out over concerns that COVID restrictions imposed by New York state (Siena College is in Loudonville, a village near Albany) might make the trip impossible.

There are some decent teams coming to Orlando, but things truly heat up for the Zags in December.

As an opener, they’ll stay in Orlando to face Tennessee on Dec. 2.

Next up is Big 12 powerhouse Baylor on Dec. 5 in Indianapolis.

Most preseason polls have tabbed Gonzaga and Baylor as Nos. 1 and 2 in the country — take your pick for which order.

The Bears are loaded, and with the full nucleus of last year’s 26-win team returning, they might be closer to mid-season form than the Zags when they get together.

Finally, it’s just been announced that Gonzaga will have a duel with Iowa and future NBA big man Luka Garza – top contender for national player of the year -- on Dec. 15 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Iowa and Tennessee and both top-10 level teams, as is Michigan State from the Orlando tournament.

Wow!

(WHITE SPACE THEN BOLD CAPS)

ITEM: The first time I heard this story, I didn’t believe it.

Pete Carroll has mentioned a few times that he’s coaching on a “five-year plan.”

Turns out that may be true.

Literally.

Ian Rapaport of the NFL Network has reported that the Seahawks are working on an extension to Carroll’s contract, and the story said the team wants to get the deal done “sooner rather than later.”

Carroll, who just turned 69, has repeated several times that he’s learned to think long-term rather than working just in the moment.

Rapaport has the sources to make this story believable, and he claims that the Seahawks might even try to nail down an extension during this season — which is extremely unusual in the NFL.

Carroll, who is believed to be earning $11 million per year, currently is committed to the Seahawks through 2021, working on a contract that was extended by two years in December of 2018.

Carroll’s record with the Hawks is 102-59-2, the best in franchise history, and obviously he’s won a Super Bowl.

Seems like Pete’s decided there’s no reason to stop now.

ITEM: Before we go today, congratulations are in order for the Seattle Storm, who swept all three games from Las Vegas in the WNBA Finals.

Game 3 was a 92-59 blowout, a testament to Seattle’s dominance over the top-seeded Aces.

Breanna Stewart was the tournament MVP, averaging 28 points per game, but kudos also are in order for the ageless Sue Bird.

The Storm’s captain and leader, Bird racked up 33 assists in the three games.

Bird will turn 40 soon, but it’s impossible to tell that from her performances.

Coming off a season lost to surgery, Bird took charge again — and now has won titles in three different decades, a feat accomplished only three times in the NBA or WNBA.

This was the Storm’s fourth championship, and Bird has led the way in all four.

Loud applause, please.

Good, there you go.

Email: scameron@cdapress.com

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. “Moments, Memories and Madness,” his reminiscences from several decades as a sports journalist, runs each Sunday.

Steve also writes Zags Tracker, a commentary on Gonzaga basketball, once per month during the offseason.