Thrive or Dive: Gonzaga faces a new era in the Pac-12

The last of the college basketball world, when will Gonzaga finally take its conference seriously? That question has been answered. The Zags are officially in the Pac-12, shedding mid-major status and stepping into a power conference arena. 

The long-awaited shift into a power conference was destined to occur at any moment. However, Gonzaga decided the time was now and enrolled in a widely-regarded conference, with a reshaped set of programs.

This move was almost inevitable. With the vast success of the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the West Coast Conference—routinely winning conference titles, and making deep Tournament runs—change was necessary. Not only to elevate the contending champion status, but to prove nationally that Gonzaga was a big fish in a small pond. 

On October 1, 2024, Gonzaga made a formal announcement whereby the university would be joining the Pac-12. This move won’t take effect until July of 2026. This means the Zags have one final ride in the WCC. So, that poses the question: Is Gonzaga ready for the Pac-12?

Before they pack their bags for Pac-12, Gonzaga will get another stab at asserting dominance over a conference they long outgrew. To say dominance is almost an understatement. Winning for Gonzaga has become much too easy. Since joining the conference in 1979, the Bulldogs have won 22 conference championships and 26 regular season championships. 

The Zags’ WCC throne has stood for decades, dating back to 1999 when coach Mark Few won his first tournament title. As the catalyst behind Gonzaga’s success, Few would go on to win 20 conference titles, while leading the team to a 742-152 record. That’s good for an 83% win rate since 1999. Absurd. 

Interestingly enough, Gonzaga’s success within the conference hasn’t quite translated over to the big stage. College sports’ prized possession, March Madness, has typically featured the biggest of programs. Yet, while the Zags were pushing blue blood status, the failure to get over the hump and win a national title led many to believe the fairytale WCC was to blame. 

Gonzaga has reached the NCAA Tournament 27 times, including 26 consecutive appearances since Few’s tenure began. In spite of this, the Bulldogs have yet to cash the check. Gonzaga has lost 7 times in the First and Second Round, while making it as far as the national title stage twice (2017, 2021) and losing both times. 

There is no question that Gonzaga had its shot, but the moment has seemed too big several times; now, a common occurrence. Many factors can go into a team’s postseason woes. However, from a broad perspective, it appears maybe the lack of competition in Gonzaga’s conference has come back to bite. 

The West Coast Conference is composed of nine programs: Gonzaga, Santa Clara, Portland, San Francisco, Pacific, Saint Mary’s, LMU, San Diego, and Pepperdine. Some, if not most, of those names may sound foreign. Likely because most of these programs have seen limited to no action when it comes to “Big Dance” in March. 

Gonzaga, on the other hand, not only has been the lone outlier, but the single mark of relevance in the WCC. This move impacts both sides, but it merely reflects the overall downward trend of this diminutive athletic conference. 

While the Bulldogs are likely to gauge a more sound audience, this brings about uncertainties with how the Zags’ recruiting and winning will be impacted. With a bigger conference comes a much stronger schedule, more national exposure, and a grand recruiting footprint. 

The Zags have been on the doorstep of championships for years. Mark Few has been able to acquire talent from all over the world, and has even acquired some of America’s best, including five stars like Chet Holmgren, Jalen Suggs, Andrew Nembhard, and many more. Now, with a much enhanced opportunity to be nationally recognized throughout the entire year, Gonzaga’s profile may even ascend more. 

Last season Gonzaga finished 27-8 overall and 14-2 in the West Coast Conference. That record amounted to a crushing first-round exit to the SEC’s Georgia Bulldogs. If anything, the pressure has only amplified. With all eyes on Gonzaga, the shift to the Pac-12 brings about all the necessary components to remain competitive in a much more competitive conference. 

Despite all the hype, the Pac-12 is still a rebuilding conference itself. Undoubtedly, this is the step up from the league that Gonzaga had overpowered. Ultimately, Gonzaga now holds the leverage as a program, to solidify itself as a force in NCAA basketball.

Gonzaga has every opportunity to thrive, and the Pac-12 may have found its new perennial power.