Gonzaga Basketball: Why moving to the Mountain West is a bad idea

It’s been clear that Gonzaga has been looking for greener pastures, and may have found it in the Mountain West. But I have deep reservations that it would be a good idea for them to move.

One of the worst keep secrets in college basketball has been the University of Gonzaga’s desire to leave for a better basketball. For years, they’ve been tied to the Big East, a basketball-only league with a Catholic affiliation. Unfortunately, geographical problems have prevented the match to happen.

Frustration has been mountain from the Zag’s perspective, including from head coach Mark Few, who feels that the other teams in the league haven’t been pulling their weight. But with no other opportunities opening up, what’s the program to do?.

Well, there seems to be something potentially brewing in the works. In an article written by Mark Zeigler of the San Diego Union-Tribune, current commissioner of the Mountain West Craig Thompson, reveals that Gonzaga has been one of six teams the conference has been having ongoing discussions with. Here’s to the extent of those talks Thompson says to the Tribune:

"“I guess the adjective I’d use is exploratory. Truthfully, what we’re trying to do here is better ourselves and we’re trying to understand what are your goals and ambitions, and what are the Mountain West’s goals and ambitions. Is there something there? … But obviously, they would enhance our basketball enterprise.”"

Who knows whether it’s a ploy of leverage by either side, but it’s clear that realignment isn’t just happening in football. While a move like this would be clearly a steal for the Mountain West, would it be in the best interest of the Zags?