Mountain West Basketball: San Diego State to be part of future plans

Mar 26, 2023; Louisville, KY, USA; San Diego State Aztecs head coach Brian Dutcher reacts during the game against Creighton Bluejays during the second half at the NCAA Tournament South Regional-Creighton vs San Diego State at KFC YUM! Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports /

It looked as if San Diego State was going to leave the conference this month. Instead, the best Mountain West Basketball program will remain for the foreseeable future.

Conference realignment has been a major storyline in college sports, affecting all of the top leagues in one way or another. The Mountain West is included, as a few weeks ago, they were set to lose its best team on the basketball side in San Diego State, who reportedly sent notice that they were leaving the conference after next season.

What happened afterward was a big mess between the sides. The Aztecs suddenly claimed that they never sent notice before the deadline of July 1st, which would’ve doubled the exit fee for any team that leaves the league later on. The MWC disputed, which created a legal dispute on who was correct.

In the end, the conference didn’t want to alienate its best program, willing to allow them to stay in the Mountain West and not pay a true financial penalty of any sort. And it made sense from the league’s point of view, as San Diego State is the best program on the basketball side. Not only have they been the most consistent program of the past 20 years but they’re coming off the first-ever Final Four appearance for both the Aztecs and conference in their respective history.

For the team, they’re lucky that the Mountain West didn’t want to be petty. It’s fairly clear that San Diego State left so that they didn’t have to pay double the exit fee, operating under the expectation that the Pac-12 would eventually extend and invite this Summer. But with that league still not able to get a TV Deal and not adding anyone until that’s done, the Aztecs could’ve very well been left without a home or any other viable option.

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Now, San Diego State is stuck in the Mountain West until at least 2026. Maybe the Pac-12 will be able to add them then or could be at risk of going extinct itself. It’s a long-term storyline to watch for involving both sides but at least for now, it’s back to business for them.