Pac-12 Basketball: 5 more programs the conference could consider poaching

Saint Mary's Gaels

One of college basketball's most intriguing rivalries in recent years has been the battle for WCC supremacy between Gonzaga and Saint Mary's. It would be fun to see it continue to a new conference.

Gonzaga's draw to the Pac-12 is no different than the draw of Saint Mary's. The only difference is that the Zags have been more successful during this generational period for the two schools. But both are competitive in the upper echelons of the sport.

The Gaels' resume since the turn of the century is something much of the old Pac-12 would be jealous of. Saint Mary's has made 16 NCAA Tournaments since Randy Bennett took over in 2021, winning six games in the Big Dance. The last time the Gaels missed a postseason that was held was in 2007.

There have been numerous opportunities for Bennett to leave for any number of Pac-12 jobs, but he always passed them up to stay with the Gaels. It would be fitting for his entry to the Pac-12 to come with the program he's spearheaded for a quarter century.

But what's most important is building the Gonzaga-Saint Mary's rivalry on a bigger state. The Bulldogs are a national brand, but the Gaels are more of a team every college basketball fan knows they need to be looking out for. If the new Pac-12 is to succeed, genuine rivalries will be necessary.

Like Gonzaga, Saint Mary's faces an uncertain future after its coach eventually calls it quits. The success of the Gaels has been so closely tied to Randy Bennett. It's not clear if they'll be able to keep it up when he walks away (and make no mistake, they'll let him coach there as long as he wants).

If the Gaels were ever to make a move, now is the time. If the WCC falls apart and the Pac-12 stops accepting members, Saint Mary's could get stuck in the wilderness.