San Diego State Basketball: 4 best options after leaving Mountain West Conference

2. Pac-12 Conference

The Pac-12 has been the epicenter of conference realignment this Summer, partly due to concerning reasons. The Big 12 has become its rival, as they’re reportedly been poaching the likes of Colorado, Utah, and the Arizona schools (ASU and Zona). Right now, none have budged but there’s a possibility that Colorado returns.

If that happens, San Diego State would be the natural replacement. They’re located in the heart of Pac-12 country and with both USC and UCLA off to the Big Ten a year from now, adding the San Diego market is a must for the conference. They’ve obviously shown to be a competitive basketball program and on paper would be a top-4 team if the Aztecs were to be in the Pac-12 right now.

Comparing the two conferences, the Pac-12 would be the preferred option if everything was even. But that’s the issue, as the Pac-12 could be facing a future exodus. Not only are the four previously mentioned schools linked to the Big 12, but both Oregon and Washington could be future targets for the Big Ten if they opt to expand to not isolate the Los Angeles schools so much.

If that were to happen, it would make the Aztecs joining the Pac-12 futile. But that’s the risk, as it’s still the superior conference compared to the Mountain West. But while this was the long “dream scenario” for San Diego State, another has emerged.