Oct. 29—On Sept. 16, Utah State announced the school had sold out tickets for Gonzaga's inaugural trip to Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. That wouldn't necessarily be news — certainly not Gonzaga's first time drawing a standing room-only crowd on the road — but the announcement arrived two full weeks before the Pac-12 Conference released its schedule, meaning more than 10,000 fans purchased tickets without knowing a concrete date for the Jan. 21 matchup.
Gonzaga can expect bigger crowds and more robust challenges in the new conference, which should test the Bulldogs top-to-bottom in a way the West Coast Conference didn't and help Mark Few's avoid the resume dings that were often inevitable in January and February.
The reimagined Pac-12 may not be ready to compete with the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, ACC and Big East on Selection Sunday, but this new group of nine isn't lacking credentials.
Gonzaga and San Diego State bring three combined national championship appearances over the last nine years with 31 combined NCAA Tournament victories sprinkled in during that span. Utah State is in the middle of the school's best run, punching six NCAA tickets over the last eight seasons, including each of the last four. Boise State made three straight March Madness trips before recent misses and Colorado State has been exceptional in its own right, qualifying in 2022, 2024 and 2025. Oregon State and Washington State both made semirecent NCAA appearances under the Pac-12's old flag.
This new-look Pac-12 might have been a candidate to get three teams into the previous NCAA Tournament, but the expanded 76-team bracket provides a pathway to one or two additional bids.
Regardless, college hoops fans out West should have plenty of dates to circle on the new Pac-12 calendar — not just the one taking place Jan. 21 in Logan, Utah.
1. Gonzaga
Coach: Mark Few (772-156), 28th year at Gonzaga
2025-26 record: 31-4. WCC: 16-2, tied-first
Key newcomers: C Massamba Diop (7-1, 230), G Isiah Harwell (6-6, 220), G Nathan De Sousa (6-2, 192), F Izan Almansa (6-10, 200/eligibility pending), G Xaivian Lee (6-4, 185), F Chauncey Wiggins (6-11, 225/eligibility pending), G Javon Bennett (5-10, 165/eligibility pending)
Key losses: F Graham Ike, G Tyon Grant-Foster, G Jalen Warley, F Emmanuel Innocenti, G Mario Saint-Supery, G Adam Miller, G Braeden Smith, C Ismaila Diagne
Outlook: Despite the various curveballs this offseason has tossed their way, the Zags are still the favorites — considerable favorites, maybe — to capture a Pac-12 crown next spring. They've assembled one of the country's top frontcourts, blending Braden Huff's offensive touch with Massamba Diop's rim protection. This should be a second-weekend team with a Final Four ceiling if Xaivian Lee, Javon Bennett and Chauncey Wiggins stay/become eligible.
2. Utah State
Coach: Ben Jacobson (397-259), 1st year at Utah State
2025-26 record: 29-7. Mountain West: 15-5, first
Key newcomers: Dallin Hall (6-4, 200/eligibility pending), Connor Turnbull (6-11, 225), AJ Bates (6-4, 200), Solomon Callaghan (6-2, 195), Will Hornseth (6-9, 235), Collin Mulholland (6-11, 240)
Key losses: G MJ Collins Jr., G Drake Allen, G Kolby King, F Garry Clark, F Adlan Elamin, G Elijah Perryman
Outlook: Constant coaching turnover hasn't impacted the Aggies, who've been to four consecutive NCAA Tournaments under three different coaches. Utah State has a solid chance to get there again under Ben Jacobson, who made five NCAA appearances over 20 seasons at Northern Iowa. The Aggies will lean heavily on veteran forward Mason Falslev, the favorite to earn Pac-12 MVP honors if the award doesn't go to a Gonzaga player. Frontcourt mate and reigning Mountain West Sixth Man of the Year Karson Templin is another solid all-conference candidate.
3. San Diego State
Coach: Brian Dutcher (220-79), 10th year at San Diego State
2025-26 record: 22-11. Mountain West: 13-6, second
Key newcomers: G Chance Gladden (6-4, 192), G Isaiah Sy (6-6, 200), F Bear Cherry (6-10, 270), G David Torresani (6-2, 168), G Zach White (6-5, 208), F Luca Vincini (6-10, 242)
Key losses: F Magoon Gwath, F Pharaoh Compton, G Miles Byrd, G BJ Davis, G Taj DeGourville, G Reese Dixon-Waters, F Miles Heide
Outlook: This won't be Brian Dutcher's strongest roster on paper, but we'll give the benefit of the doubt to a coach who's been part of four Mountain West regular-season or tournament championships and six NCAA Tournament appearances since taking over for Steve Fisher. Elzie Harrington, the team's only returning starter, is a proficient 3-point shooter, but the Aztecs may also require a lot from transfers Chance Gladden (Boston U), Bear Cherry (Sacramento State) and Isaiah Sy (Oregon State), especially in the wake of Nick Anderson's offseason knee injury.
4. Oregon State
Coach: Justin Joyner (0-0), 1st season at Oregon State
2025-26 record: 17-16. WCC: 9-9, tie-fourth
Key newcomers: F Jackson Rasmussen (6-9, 211), G Legend Smiley (6-5, 188), G Daniel Freitag (6-2, 192), F DeShawn Gory (6-6, 169), C Xavion Staton (7-1, 224), G Chris Johnson (6-5, 189), C Dennis Evans (7-2, 231)
Key losses: F Isaiah Sy, G Dez White, F Johan Munch, C Yaak Yaak, F Jorge Diaz Graham, F Olavi Suutela
Outlook: Justin Joyner, a national title-winning assistant with years of experience building scouting reports for Gonzaga, takes over Oregon State's program after Wayne Tinkle's tenure ended. Joyner lacks head-coaching experience, but he's assembled a roster that looks talented enough on paper to compete with the top half of the Pac-12. Program veteran Josiah Lake II brings leadership and ball-handling, while transfers DeShawn Gory (Fresno State) and Daniel Freitag (Buffalo) have a chance to lead the Beavers in scoring. Similar to the Michigan team Joyner worked for last season, OSU should be massive up front with three 7-footers on this roster.
5. Colorado State
Coach: Ali Farokhmanesh (21-13), second season at Colorado State
2025-26 record: 21-13. Mountain West: 11-9, seventh
Key newcomers: G Justin Menard (6-3, 185), F Jaden Ghoreishi (6-9, 215), Amondo Miller Jr. (6-7, 195)
Key losses: F Brandon Rechsteiner, G Jevin Muniz, F Augustinas Kiudulas
Outlook: The Rams lose their top scorer from a year ago, but return players who ranked second, third, fourth, sixth and seventh in points per game. It's a level of retention that's hard to come by in the current college basketball climate and one of the primary reasons Ali Farokhmanesh's group might be a step ahead of others in the Pac-12 when the regular season begins. Marist transfer Justin Menard slides into the starting lineup next to a quartet of returners that includes three double-digit scorers in Kyle Jorgensen (11.5 ppg), Carey Booth (10.7 ppg) and Josh Pascarelli (10.2 ppg). Spokane's Jaden Ghoreishi could see minutes off the bench as a freshman.
6. Boise State
Coach: Leon Rice (336-189), 17th season at Boise State
2025-26 record: 20-12. Mountain West: 12-8, tie-fifth
Key newcomers: F Dovydas Butka (6-9, 225), G Ty Rodgers (6-6, 205), G Lamar Washington (6-4, 210/eligibility pending), G Damari Wheeler-Thomas (6-0, 190).
Key losses: F Javan Buchanan, F Drew Fielder, G Dylan Andrews, F Andrew Meadow, F Dominic Parolin
Outlook: Former Gonzaga assistant Leon Rice faces a tall task replacing Boise State's four double-digit scorers from a year ago, especially after an offseason injury to Ty Rodgers sidelined the Illinois transfer indefinitely. Campbell's Dovydas Butka is a nightly double-double threat while North Dakota State transfer Damari Wheeler-Thomas is expected to take on primary ball-handling duties. Returning reserves Julian Bowie and Aginaldo Neto both had 20-plus point performances in recent exhibitions against Idaho and Washington. If eligible, 5-in-5 Georgia Tech transfer Lamar Washington has a chance to be one of Boise State's top scorers, rebounders and facilitators.
7. Texas State
Coach: Terrence Johnson (107-81), seventh season at Texas State
2025-26 record: 19-13. Sun Belt: 11-7, tie-second
Key newcomers: G Quel'Ron House (6-0, 180), G KJ Younger (6-4, 218), F Ronald Jessamy (6-8, 220), G Caleb Steger (6-5, 180)
Key losses: G Franck Emmou, G Jaelyn Lee, C Tay Knox, G Deke Thompson, F Isaiah Barganier, G Cameron Simpson
Outlook: DJ Hall is one of the best-kept secrets in midmajor basketball and should be at the top of every Texas State scouting report this season after averaging 15.6 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.4 steals as a freshman. The Bobcats have continuity beyond Hall, though, and managed to bring back second-leading scorer Mark Drone (14.2 ppg), assists/steals leader Kaden Gumbs (3.0 apg, 1.9 spg) and guard Dimp Pernell, who made 40.6% of his 3-pointers before a season-ending injury. Southern Illinois transfer Quel'Ron House will have a chance to be one of Texas State's top two-way players.
8. Washington State
Coach: David Riley (93-73), third season at Washington State
2025-26 record: 12-20. WCC: 7-11, eighth
Key newcomers: G Lazerek Houston (6-0, 155), F Ronnie Harrison (6-8, 210), F Fraser Roxburgh (6-7, 215), G Sebastian Akins (6-2, 175), F Ladji Dembele (6-8, 255), G Jaylen Harrell (6-5, 210), F Tyler Kropp (6-9, 230), G Jamari Phillips (6-4, 190), G R.J. Jones, 6-2, 189 (2.6 ppg, 0.4 rpg).
Key losses: G Ace Glass, G Rihards Vavers, F ND Okafor, F Eeemeli Yalaho, G Tomas Thrastarson, G Jerone Morton, F Emmanuel Ugbo, G Kase Wynott, G Adria Rodriguez, G Parker Gerrits.
Outlook: The Cougars lost 98.9% of their scoring from 2025-26 — only Dio Blakely's 0.8 points per game return — and are easily the most challenging team to handicap a year later. With an all-new starting lineup and rotation, it's wise not to read too deeply into WSU's 92-64 exhibition loss at New Mexico, but also means David Riley's squad could face growing pains through a challenging nonconference schedule that sends the Cougs outside of Pullman 11 times in November and December. Division II standout Lazerek Houston and East Texas A&M Ronnie Harrison both hit double digits on efficient shooting in the exhibition loss, with Harrison scoring 23 in Sunday's 84-80 exhibition win at Washington.
9. Fresno State
Coach: Vance Walberg (33-80), third season at Fresno State
2025-26 record: 13-19. Mountain West: 7-13, 10th
Key newcomers: G Dragos Lungu (6-6, 180), G Ross Candelino (6-5, 198), F Bradey Henige (7-0, 240), G Brian Amuneke (6-5, 184), C Baye Fall (6-11, 205), G Quentin Rhymes (6-6, 195), G KJ Perry (6-3, 180)
Key losses: G Jake Heidbreder, F Deshawn Gory, F Jac Mani, G David Douglas Jr., C Wilson Jacques, G Zaon Collins, G Cameron Faas, C Gasper Kocevar, G Bastien Rieber
Outlook: Washington State and Fresno State face the biggest rebuilds and not surprisingly are the teams occupying the final two spots in our predictions. But there could be a sizable gap between the Cougars and Bulldogs, who are separated by 60 spots in Ken Pomeroy's preseason ratings. Fresno State lost every contributor from last year and could rely heavily on guards Dragos Lungu, a 13.8 ppg scorer at UT Martin, and Ross Candelino, who averaged 11.2 ppg at Libscomb to lead them in the scoring column. The Bulldogs will have to turn things around after settling for a 19-45 record over Vance Walberg's first two seasons.
