Wednesday Dots: McGrew Zoo

Everything dies, baby, that’s a fact

But maybe everything that dies some day comes back

Put your makeup on, fix your hair up pretty

And meet me tonight in Dots City

• While Sean McGrew probably wouldn’t have single-handedly swung the Montana or Michigan games, his absence was another frustrating link in the chain of the coaching staff’s lack of ideas. According to Mike Vorel, McGrew shared that frustration and used it to motivate himself for a big game against Arkansas State. From what we’ve seen so far, his success will be crucial against better defenses in conference play.

• If Vorel didn’t convince you of McGrew’s importance, perhaps Christian Caple will. The Athletic’s UW writer goes in depth on what McGrew brings to the table and concludes that he’s an essential piece of the puzzle. While he has never been the bell-cow, McGrew has consistently put up very good numbers whenever the coaches have called his number.

• Former Husky Jake Haener got some national attention for playing through an injury to lead Fresno State to an upset over UCLA. The Athletic profiled Haener in quite a bit of detail. Even though he never became QB1 in Seattle, I think most Dawg fans are pulling for him.

• Despite UW’s roller coaster start to the season, the SP+ stat model still likes the Dawgs’ chances. Yesterday, Bill Connelly wrote about how UW still has a fair chance to win the Pac-12 North. Today, he explained that his model sees UW as a heavy favorite over Cal on Saturday.

• Kelsey Plum carried her Olympics momentum back to the WNBA by winning Western Conference Player of the Month.