THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: Other stuff to focus on, while we wait for Thursday

We’re living in a strange time.

No, I’m not a sociologist. Not a historian, either.

In fact, that first sentence was merely meant to be a bit of fun, since the “strange time” in question refers solely to sports, and it’s only a week.

But. 

Surely, you’ve noticed that we’re stuck in a little stretch of days here that just seem … weird.

The NCAA men’s hoop tournament starts on Thursday, with Gonzaga and Washington State playing their openers at almost exactly the same time.

If you want to watch them both, you’ll have to do some recording.

It’s kind of an odd wait for The Dance this year — cool because Wazzu is invited to play (vs. Drake in Omaha) in addition to the yearly appearance of the Zags (vs. McNeese in Salt Lake City).

Beyond cool, though, the whole things seems to be floating in space because neither the Zags nor Cougs are expected to sweat through more than two games.

That’s the fate of seeds Nos. 5 and 7, to be honest.

This week would feel a lot less funky if the Zags (perhaps even giant-slaying Wazzu) were seriously shooting for the Final Four.

OK, maybe if a bracket falls the right way with some upsets, then … nah.

OF COURSE, you can zero in on our two other major sports this week.

When I say two, I’m ruling out soccer’s Champions League (they’re off this week, in any case), plus waiting on The Masters or The Kentucky Derby.

No, I’m thinking of baseball — with the Mariners opening at home on the 28th — and the endless action in the NFL.

The Seahawks and all their foes are in that “Twilight Zone” between the start of free agency and the college draft, which comes along in late April.

This is a time when NFL teams thrill their fans with a bevy of new stars, filling those holes that kept them from making a deep run in the playoffs.

If the newcomers, and those studs that are scooped up in the draft, manage to hit the ground running — that’s when you’re dreaming of the Super Bowl at halftime of the opening game.

Frankly, we’ve expected some major moves by the Seahawks, now that young and progressive Mike Macdonald has been handed the keys in place of Pete Carroll.

Instead, Macdonald and GM John Schneider have not exactly lit up the league.

Their most exciting free agency signing was Leonard “Big Cat” Williams, who was already on the team.

They did wave good-bye to both inside linebackers, including team legend Bobby Wagner, and both safeties.

We have to trust the signings they’ve made and the returns they’ve gotten from trades.

Their most recent signing, though, was Tremayne Anchurm Jr, an interior lineman who might fill the Hawks’ most obvious hole at left guard.

Anchurm Jr., however, has started just one game in four years with the Rams, and was a backup last year.

Still, he sounds ready for action.

“I’m one who’s always ready for a fight,” he said.

Terrific.

Can’t wait for training camp.

WE DON’T have to fiddle very long to see the Mariners showing off their army of newcomers.

Just another week, actually.

Same story with the M’s: not much star power.

If only Shohei Ohtani’s new wife liked Seattle as much as he does, we might have had the most spectacular signing in decades — fending off the Dodgers with a billion-dollar shocker.

Close, but just missed.

LOL.

Instead, how about Mitch Garver as the new designated hitter?

Jerry Dipoto DID squeeze through some deals, which was almost heroic on the M’s limited budget — even bringing outfielder Mitch Haniger back to Seattle after a season with the Giants.

To be fair, the Mariners may not be loaded with household names (Julio aside) but Dipoto managed to hang on to his five young starting pitchers, and traded with the Twins for switch-hitting vet Jorge Polanco to play second base.

You’ve been watching Polanco up close for years, right?

Yeah, I’m kidding.

But the M’s do have some stars — Rodriguez, Cal Raleigh J.P. Crawford and hopefully a rebuilt Ty France — plus a group of guys who could be genuinely exciting.

Left fielder Dom Canzone falls into that category, a prospect with genuine power who doesn’t strike out that much.

HOORAY!

(That was for Canzone avoiding strikeouts.)

There are rookies who should add something to mix, even if they’re not on the opening day roster.

Example: Tyler Locklear is a masher who can play first, third, and maybe the outfield — and better yet, he didn’t look overmatched this spring.

No, the Mariners didn’t make that name-in-lights mega-trade.

No, they couldn’t score a huge free-agent acquisition, either, although I honestly like Garver as the full-time DH.

For what it’s worth, neither did a lot of other clubs, as MLB was stricken with a local TV mess that has hit about half the teams’ revenue stream.

Let’s give the M’s a pass, and see what this new gang can accomplish.

Ditto with the Seahawks, as Macdonald is surely going to rebuild the culture a bit, creating a club that’s young, fast and violent.

So, let’s be fair.

For now.

Besides, we’ve got the hoops just a day away.

Life’s good.

Email: scameron@cdapress.com

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.”