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

By Joey Loose

Oct 8, 2022; Spokane, WA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Rasir Bolton (45) speaks to the crowd during Kraziness in the Kennel at McCarthey Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2022; Spokane, WA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Rasir Bolton (45) speaks to the crowd during Kraziness in the Kennel at McCarthey Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /
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Gonzaga Basketball forward Corey Kispert Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Gonzaga Basketball forward Corey Kispert Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Impact for Conference Realignment

We’ve already mentioned a bit about the recent cycles of conference realignment, though the current one may be far more drastic. We saw Maryland and Nebraska join the Big Ten, Missouri and Texas A&M to the SEC, and a boost across the ACC and Pac-12. This time, we’re looking at Oklahoma and Texas joining the SEC with UCLA and USC making the mid-boggling decision to join the Big Ten. We can also include those aforementioned teams joining the Big 12, though this cycle certainly isn’t complete.

Gonzaga’s move to the Big 12 would answer a lot of questions about realignment. Many people see these Bulldogs as one of the major pieces, and clearly whichever conference lands them will be trending in a great direction. The inclusion of Gonzaga would likely also mean that some of these Big 12 schools won’t try to depart the league. There have been rumblings about Kansas to the Big Ten or another conference, but that super basketball league in the Big 12 would be pretty exciting if the Jayhawks stay put.

Gonzaga’s departure could lead to massive changes for basketball on the west coast. Not only would the WCC be forced to make some decisions, but it could cause major ramifications for the Pac-12. It’s hard to picture that league without UCLA and USC, and losing the Arizona schools to the Big 12 could be a next step as well. Imagine if the Big 12 can add those three schools plus someone else to get to 16, matching the SEC.

Next. Preseason top-25 power rankings for 2022-23. dark

We’re not exactly sure what this cycle of realignment will look like when it’s all said and done, but Gonzaga would be the biggest of dominoes. That impact would be felt across the nation, even beyond the programs and conferences we’ve already mentioned. We don’t know if this is a move that is going to happen, but it’s interesting to picture Gonzaga in the Big 12. That would be quite the basketball conference and would certainly but the Bulldogs in a great place for the future. Do you think it would be the best move the Bulldogs could make?