With school set to start here in a few weeks, things are getting back to normal --- which means the sounds of basketballs dribbling and shoes squeaking in Hec Ed.

Today during breaks in doing football interviews I happened upon some informal workouts on the main court featuring Spencer Hawes, Jon Brockman, Isaiah Thomas and Quincy Pondexter.

For a while, the group conducted a two-on-two game --- Brockman and Pondexter against Hawes and Thomas.

One game was punctuated by Brockman scoring three straight on Hawes, two long jumpers and one on a dribble step-back into a fadeaway.

Hawes reacted with a few not-so-nice words in frustration.

"He got me today,'' Hawes said later,

He said the sequence was indicative of what he thinks is a much-improved jumper by Brockman.

"He looks really fluid to me,'' Hawes said. "It looks like that little hitch is gone and his release point is good, and that really makes a difference. That adds a whole new dimension to his game.''

And it's apparently due largely to simple hard work. Hawes said he asked Brockman over last night to watch "The Hills" but Brockman declined so that he could work out and shoot, instead.

"He said he's shooting 2,000 free throws a week,'' Hawes said. "It looks like all that stuff is paying off. He's good out to the three-point line now.''

It was one of many times Hawes has played with Thomas, and he had raves for him, as well.

"I love Isaiah,'' Hawes said. "I think he's an underrated passer and playmaker. His role this year will vary depending on who has got it going on, but he's got the versatility to do both.''

Hawes hasn't seen as much of some of the other UW freshmen but he gave these brief assessments:

Elston Turner: "He can really stroke it.''

Scott Suggs: "He's really athletic, He can really get to the rim and make plays.''

Tyreese Breshers is also back on campus after having surgery about six weeks ago to repair a shin injury. Speculation is still that he could be forced to redshirt.