The Pac-12 is rebuilding its convention from the bottom up, and the primary wave of the multistep plan was to poach Boise State, San Diego State, Colorado State and Fresno State away from the Mountain West. The Pac-12 formally added Utah State because the conference’s seventh member on Tuesday, and people 5 MWC applications will be part of the new-look convention formally on July 1, 2026.
There’s nonetheless work the Pac-12 should do earlier than the summer time of 2026 to regain its standing as an influence convention. For starters, the Pac-12 should attain the eight-member threshold to be acknowledged as an official convention. The Pac-12 tried to poach Memphis, Tulane, UTSA, and South Florida away from the AAC to achieve that mark, however all 4 reaffirmed their dedication to stay within the convention.
So, the place does the Pac-12 flip now? The Mountain West did get a signed grants-of-rights from seven of its current member institutions, together with UNLV, according to Yahoo Sports. With out signatures from at the least eight faculties. The MWC continues to be in peril of dissolution, and the grant of rights will not be binding — which means that UNLV and Air Force, which has drawn curiosity from different faculties, might nonetheless go away.
Gonzaga has been a rumored goal for the Pac-12, however whereas the Zags have had discussions with the Pac-12, in accordance with CBS Sports activities Matt Norlander, no selections have been reached. If Gonzaga joined the Pac-12, it could be probably the most achieved program from a basketball perspective, and would add a built-in West Coast rivalry with San Diego State and a geographical one with present Pac-12 members Oregon State and Washington State.
With convention realignment remaining fluid, listed below are six faculties the Pac-12 ought to think about including of their subsequent wave of convention realignment with faculty basketball in thoughts.
Gonzaga
This could be the largest addition to the present realignment cycle. Gonzaga would instantly grow to be the face of the new-look convention due to the historic success this system has sustained below Mark Few. Including the Bulldogs to the Pac-12 would reaffirm a brand new convention rivalry with San Diego State – a program that has had comparable success during the last decade in hoops.
Including Gonzaga to the convention should be a no-brainer for Pac-12 commissioner Theresa Gould. The one hurdle with this transfer is that Gonzaga – like GCU and Saint Mary’s – would not have a soccer program. May Gonzaga safe a full income share and not using a soccer program? That is a multi-million greenback query. — Cameron Salerno
Saint Mary’s
Including a confirmed winner like Randy Bennett’s Gaels would definitely enhance the rebuilt Pac-12’s declare to be thought of a real Energy 5 league once more. Saint Mary’s basketball is superior, however you do not want me to let you know that. Historical past sums it up nicely.
The Gaels have had a NCAA Match-caliber membership in six of the previous eight seasons. The truth that Saint Mary’s vs. Gonzaga is even a debate is a testomony to Bennett’s program-building chops. However Aidan Mahaney’s tough-luck choice to hit the portal for UConn was a brutal reminder that Saint Mary’s continues to be not on the degree of the large boys in faculty basketball. May a Pac-12 transfer assist that? — Isaac Trotter
UNLV
Las Vegas is the No. 40 media market within the nation, per the DMA Market Rankings. That is one asset UNLV can deliver to the new-look Pac-12. It additionally helps that Sin Metropolis has hosted the Pac-12 title recreation in basketball and soccer in recent times.
As a basketball program, The Rebels would compete on this model of the Pac-12, and leaping conferences might be the right storm to raise this system to new heights. Nevada and UNLV — the 2 flagship faculties within the state — belong in the identical convention collectively. It is sensible for the Pac-12 to deliver each of them over from the Mountain West to maintain that in-state convention rivalry. — Salerno
Nevada
Mark Fox gained at Nevada. Eric Musselman gained at Nevada. And now Steve Alford is profitable at Nevada. 5 NCAA Match appearances up to now eight seasons is not any slouch, and Nevada is primed for an enormous season in 2024-25. The Wolfpack might definitely be the very best workforce within the Mountain West and will have a case for a third-straight, at-large bid.
This can be a good faculty basketball program which may solely be getting higher. Retaining Nevada (and New Mexico and UNLV) within the combine might give the new-look Pac-12 a fierce basketball league with vicious rivalries galore. All of the issues that made the Mountain West so thrilling each evening might be principally replicated within the Pac-12. — Trotter
Grand Canyon
GCU is the wild card of this bunch. GCU brings within the No. 11 Phoenix media market. Much like Saint Mary’s and Gonzaga, the one hurdle GCU might face is it would not have a soccer program, and the transfer could be basketball-centric.
The Antelopes have reached the NCAA Match in three of the final 4 years and are on an upward trajectory below coach Bryce Drew. Transitioning from the WAC to the Pac-12 could be a steep degree up however the threat could be well worth the reward. — Salerno
New Mexico
Taking part in significant basketball is necessary to New Mexico, and that is not altering anytime quickly. The Lobos have an outstanding fan base with wonderful attendance and top-of-the-line home-court benefits within the nation. It ain’t straightforward to win at The Pit. Even with out elite assets (once more, a flowery phrase for money), New Mexico has endurance as a result of it has a proof of idea. Richard Pitino has discovered one thing with an up-tempo, heat-’em-up type that appeals to guards.
New Mexico dazzling level guard Donovan Dent is shaping as much as be one of many prime hoopers within the nation this season, and that ought to give Pitino much more ammunition on the recruiting path. Pitino has definitely elevated the expertise degree that is strolling by New Mexico’s doorways. Pitino has ushered in three of New Mexico’s 10 greatest recruits of the web period whereas stacking intriguing expertise out of the portal. Level clean: New Mexico would make Pac-12 basketball much more vicious. — Trotter
