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 a part of the new-look convention formally on July 1, 2026.
There’s nonetheless work the Pac-12 should do earlier than the summer season 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 succeed in 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 not less than eight faculties. The MWC remains to be at risk of dissolution, and the grant of rights shouldn’t be binding — that means that UNLV and Air Force, which has drawn curiosity from different faculties, may nonetheless depart.
Gonzaga has been a rumored goal for the Pac-12, however whereas the Zags have had discussions with the Pac-12, in line with CBS Sports activities Matt Norlander, no selections have been reached. If Gonzaga joined the Pac-12, it will be probably the most completed 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 here 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 may be the largest addition to the present realignment cycle. Gonzaga would instantly turn out to be the face of the new-look convention due to the historic success this system has sustained beneath 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 over the past 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 – does not have a soccer program. Might 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 increase 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 effectively.
The Gaels have had a NCAA Event-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 resolution to hit the portal for UConn was a brutal reminder that Saint Mary’s remains to be not on the degree of the massive boys in faculty basketball. Might 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 carry to the new-look Pac-12. It additionally helps that Sin Metropolis has hosted the Pac-12 title sport 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 may very well be the proper 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 carry each of them over from the Mountain West to maintain that in-state convention rivalry. — Salerno
Nevada
Mark Fox received at Nevada. Eric Musselman received at Nevada. And now Steve Alford is profitable at Nevada. 5 NCAA Event appearances prior to now eight seasons isn’t any slouch, and Nevada is primed for a large season in 2024-25. The Wolfpack may definitely be the very best group within the Mountain West and may have a case for a third-straight, at-large bid.
It is a good faculty basketball program that may solely be getting higher. Retaining Nevada (and New Mexico and UNLV) within the combine may 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 night time may very well 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. Just like Saint Mary’s and Gonzaga, the one hurdle GCU may face is it does not have a soccer program, and the transfer can be basketball-centric.
The Antelopes have reached the NCAA Event in three of the final 4 years and are on an upward trajectory beneath coach Bryce Drew. Transitioning from the WAC to the Pac-12 can be a steep degree up however the threat can be definitely worth the reward. — Salerno
New Mexico
Taking part in significant basketball is vital to New Mexico, and that is not altering anytime quickly. The Lobos have an outstanding fan base with glorious attendance and probably the greatest home-court benefits within the nation. It ain’t simple to win at The Pit. Even with out elite assets (once more, a elaborate 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 fashion 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 means of New Mexico’s doorways. Pitino has ushered in three of New Mexico’s 10 finest 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
