Expansion "season" feels like a year around affair. While also having some spur of the moment kind of elements. Like Tuesday's surprise announcement of UC Davis joining the Mountain West as a non-football playing member in the summer of 2026.
For those following conference expansion, this move seemed like something out of left field. Not necessarily because of UC Davis in particular, or the fact that they won't make the move to FBS caliber football immediately. But simply due to the fact there are more "attractive" options out there from a sporting perspective, such as the Montana schools or North & South Dakota State.
Whether or not those institutions & the state governments that funds them are ready for such moves has been a topic of discussion. While the Aggies have publicly teased future stadium expansion to bring themselves up to the standards of their future conference mates.
It seems as though, at least at the Group of 5/mid-major level. Conferences aren't necessarily looking for the most attractive additions anymore & have focused on solid numbers with schools that could fit the current geographic footprint & maybe bring more to the fold than just athletics. So with the deal done, let's see what fans can expect from their newest conference mates.
From the Football & University Perspective
Yes, this is a publication focusing on the basketball side of things. But these decisions typically involve football, even if the Aggies don't plan to make their move up a level of competition just yet.
UC Davis has stayed competitive on the field. But have yet to find any major success since moving up from the D-II ranks. Having only advanced to the quarter finals of the FCS Playoffs twice since joining FCS back in 2003.
From the non-athletics side of things, like many Universities in the UC system. UC Davis boasts an enrollment bordering 40,000 students. Also bringing a whopping $2 billion endowment to the table. Larger than any other school in the conference at the moment & larger than some SEC football powerhouses.
There's been no official commitment from the University in regards to boosting athletic spending anytime soon. But there also aren't many other institutions in the western half of the United States capable of making a move to FBS football & making major facility upgrades anytime soon either.
Regarding Media Markets
Something that used to drive these conversations has taken a small backseat in order to ensure conference survival for some. The Mountain West is one of those conferences, adding a Big West basketball program (football may come later as mentioned) to further expand membership cushion.
The city of Davis, CA boasts a similar population to that of Logan, UT. And also similar to Logan being a part of the Salt Lake City media market, Davis is included in nearby Sacramento's media market.
Now a point of contention is really how big of a piece of that market UC Davis really holds each year. With a multitude of other collegiate programs in the area & the Sacramento Kings being the major professional team in town.
But the sticking point for those involved in high level conversations at the Mountain West Conference may be maintaining a bigger footprint in the State of California now that both Fresno State & San Diego State are set to depart for the Pac-12 in 2026. Leaving San Jose State as the lone member in the Golden State before UC Davis' addition.
Whether or not a traveling companion for the Aggies is added later on is still up for debate, the only other team in the region possibly looking to level up on the gridiron is Sacramento State, who themselves have Pac-12 ambitions. But if football isn't a must have condition, then the skies are the limit for those who do some of their best work on the hardwood.
How the Aggies Compare on the Hardwood
At the end of the day, you're likely reading this article to see how UC Davis stacks up in the college basketball world. Although this addition may further expand membership in the state of California, there is a hierarchy to the caliber of basketball played in the Golden State.
The Aggies find themselves clawing for a space in the middle of that hierarchy competing in the Big West. Luckily for UC Davis, they've had the same man in charge for the last fourteen seasons. Jim Les has managed to post a 201-203 overall record during his time in Davis.
During that time, the Aggies have had four twenty win seasons and have secured three conference titles with only one trip to the big dance. That may seem underwhelming, but the Big West is one of the few leagues remaining with a great deal of parity year in and year out.
With over eight different teams securing either a regular season or conference tournament title in the past ten seasons. The only constant at the top being UC Irvine, likely playing the role of San Diego State for Mountain West fans familiar with the conference dynamic.
This season the Aggies are currently 6-4 on the year with a 2-0 record in Big West after downing both conference foes recently by double-digits. Led by Preseason 1st-Team All-Conference selection Ty Johnson & Spanish stat-sheet stuffer Pablo Tamba.
Jim Les' program was pegged to finish 5th in the conference by league coaches this season but is already displaying the weapons needed for what could be their fourth conference title under their longtime leader.
As mentioned prior, these additions don't have the wow factor as in years past. But from an enrollment, resources & basketball standpoint, this is a solid addition for a conference trying to stay afloat long term.