Gonzaga Basketball: Impact of a Potential Move to the Big 12

Impact at Gonzaga

We’re certainly at the point (we’re a few years past it actually) where it’s silly to consider Gonzaga a mid-major program. Yes, they play in the WCC, a mid-major conference, but this program has long since evolved past that moniker. They’ve made at least the Sweet Sixteen in each of the last seven NCAA Tournaments, with four 1-seeds, and those two trips to the national title game. During that same eight-year stretch, Gonzaga has only lost 29 total games.

The Bulldogs haven’t just loaded up with wins against their WCC foes, they’ve been winning regularly against power conference foes. During an undefeated run to the national title game two seasons ago, Gonzaga knocked off Kansas, Auburn, Virginia, Iowa, and West Virginia, later knocking out Oklahoma, Creighton, USC, and UCLA in the Big Dance. The biggest change would be that this would be the regular conference schedule for the Bulldogs, replacing trips to Pacific and Pepperdine with much tougher outings against Baylor, Kansas, and Texas Tech.

It’s a much steeper challenge, but there’s no reason to believe that Gonzaga wouldn’t continue to be a basketball powerhouse. They certainly wouldn’t be blitzing through conference play any longer, but they aren’t going to suddenly go downhill upon joining the Big 12. Their schedules would be significantly more difficult, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing, giving these players even more opportunities for growth and to showcase themselves. Not to mention, it would also let Gonzaga players, fans, and boosters alike show the world that their basketball team can handle the rigors of a power conference schedule.