The Pac-12 is Back—Sort Of
Well, the Pac-12 is making a comeback, sort of. I mean, it’s nice to see the name surface again, but wouldn’t it be more exciting if some of those powerhouse teams from its glory days were involved? Maybe, but then again, one can’t be too picky, right?
Perhaps we should just be glad that the nine remaining teams will give us some enjoyable late-night games this winter.
1. Gonzaga Bulldogs
2025–26 Record: 31–4 (16–2)
2025-26 Conference Finish: T-1st in WCC
After what felt like ages filled with speculation, Gonzaga has finally made the leap from the West Coast Conference to a more prominent league… or at least something that resembles one.
The Zags are favorites entering the new Pac-12 season. Head coach Mark Few is back, and star forward Braden Huff, who had a tough time last season due to a dislocated kneecap, is also ready to return. Huff is teaming up with Arizona State transfer Massamba Diop to create what should be a formidable frontcourt.
2. Utah State Aggies
2025–26 Record: 29-7 (15-5)
2025-26 Conference Finish: 1st in Mountain West
If there’s anyone that could seriously challenge Gonzaga, it might just be Utah State. Since head coach Jerrod Calhoun left for Cincinnati, the reins have been handed over to Ben Jacobson, who has a wealth of experience from his time at Northern Iowa.
Jacobson gets to work with the returning Mountain West Player of the Year, Mason Falslev, and 6th Man of the Year, Karson Templin. Plus, he’s brought in Will Hornseth from UNI and added point guard AJ Bates from Louisiana Tech, which should help bolster the lineup considerably.
3. San Diego State Aztecs
2025–26 Record: 22-11 (14-6)
2025-26 Conference Finish: 2nd in Mountain West
Sandyiego State has had its share of doubts, especially on the offensive side with key players like Miles Byrd and BJ Davis leaving for the Big East. But head coach Brian Dutcher has a solid defensive track record, having kept his teams in the top 21 for defensive efficiency for quite a while. That makes it reasonable to think of the Aztecs as potential contenders against Gonzaga.
Returning guard Elzie Harrington needs to step up, and with some new transfers joining the team, they might just manage to pull it off—though losing Rice transfer Nick Anderson to a knee injury is a real blow.
4. Colorado State Rams
2025–26 Record: 21-13 (11-9)
2025-26 Conference Finish: T-7th in Mountain West
After making it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2025, Colorado State had a bit of a dip in their first season under head coach Ali Farokhmanesh. Still, they managed to win 21 games, so that’s not too shabby. Farokhmanesh is optimistic that keeping key players on the roster will help improve their chances moving forward.
The Rams return their top three scorers, so one can see how they might outperform expectations, especially after an impressive finish last season.
5. Oregon State Beavers
2025–26 Record: 17-16 (9-9)
2025-26 Conference Finish: 4th in WCC
Out of the two original Pac-12 teams back in the fold, Oregon State seems poised for a better finish. Justin Joyner, fresh off a successful stint at Michigan, is now at the helm. His first big win was convincing senior guard Josiah Lake II to return, and with him, they have a solid core to build on.
6. Boise State Broncos
2025–26 Record: 20-12 (12-8)
2025-26 Conference Finish: T-5th in Mountain West
Leon Rice is a well-respected figure in Boise, but he’ll need key players to step up if the Broncos are going to thrive in their new conference. However, star transfer Ty Rodgers is likely out for a while due to injury, which puts more pressure on the roster to deliver this season.
7. Texas State Bobcats
2025–26 Record: 19-13 (11-7)
2025-26 Conference Finish: T-2nd in Sun Belt
Texas State is a bit of a wildcard here. They’ve had recent success in the Sun Belt, but it’s tough to determine how that translates to tougher competition. Their head coach, Terrence Johnson, managed to retain standout DJ Hall from last season, bringing excitement to the program.
8. Utah Tech Trailblazers
p>2025–26 Record: 13-19 (7-13)
2025-26 Conference Finish: 10th in Mountain West
Vance Walberg seems to be in a tricky situation. After developing promising players, he often loses them to rival programs. He’s hoping that new additions from the portal will fill the gaps left behind, maybe even causing a few surprises in the Pac-12.
9. Washington State Cougars
2025–26 Record: 12-20 (7-11)
2025-26 Conference Finish: 8th in WCC
For David Riley, his third year as head coach has to show some improvement after a tough finish last season. The departure of key freshmen and other players to different programs has made matters difficult. With a less-than-stellar transfer class, turning things around will be a tough challenge in Pullman.
