What's Happening?
The Pac-12 Conference is set to undergo significant changes for the 2026-27 athletic season, with the addition of seven new members: Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Utah State, Texas
State, and Gonzaga. This expansion will form a nine-team league alongside existing members Washington State and Oregon State. According to Jon Rothstein of College Hoops Today, the conference will implement a true double round-robin schedule, where each team will play home-and-away games against every other team, totaling 16 games. This new format comes after a major realignment that saw several teams leave the Pac-12 for other conferences, including Cal and Stanford to the ACC, and Oregon, Washington, USC, and UCLA to the Big Ten.
Why It's Important?
The realignment and new schedule format are crucial for the Pac-12 as it seeks to maintain its status as a competitive conference in college basketball. The inclusion of Gonzaga, a team with a strong track record in the NCAA Tournament, and San Diego State, which recently appeared in a national championship, could enhance the conference's reputation and competitiveness. The changes also allow teams to schedule 16 non-conference games, providing opportunities to build strong resumes for NCAA Tournament at-large bids. This strategic move aims to stabilize the conference and attract attention from recruits and fans, ensuring its viability and relevance in the evolving landscape of college athletics.
What's Next?
The Pac-12 is expected to make an official announcement regarding the new schedule format, although no specific timetable has been provided. As the conference prepares for the 2026-27 season, it will focus on integrating the new members and finalizing the logistics of the expanded league. Stakeholders, including university athletic departments and fans, will be closely watching how these changes impact the conference's performance and reputation. The success of this realignment could influence future decisions in college sports realignment and scheduling.
