Fresno State basketball will soon compete against one of the premier teams in the country on a regular basis.
The Pac-12 announced Tuesday that Gonzaga will join the conference in 2026, leaving the West Coast Conference after nearly 50 years.
The big picture: The Pac-12 now has eight members, although only seven universities play football since Gonzaga does not field a program.
- The conference still needs to add another full-time university to meet the NCAA requirement of eight full-time members.
Driving the news: Gonzaga has been one of the most successful basketball programs in the nation for the past three decades.
- The university’s men’s program has made it to the Sweet Sixteen in the last nine NCAA Tournaments, the only team in the nation to do so.
- Gonzaga has also made five Elite Eight appearances in that stretch and has gone on to two Final Fours and two National Championship game appearances.
- Gonzaga has made the NCAA Tournament 26 times since 1995.
- Gonzaga’s women’s basketball team has made the last seven NCAA Tournament and has 15 appearances dating back to 2007.
State of play: The addition of Gonzaga gives the Pac-12 a formidable men’s basketball conference, one that will likely be the premier basketball conference on the west coast moving forward.
- Seven Pac-12 members have made the NCAA Tournament over the past four seasons, combining for 18 appearances total in that time.
- Gonzaga made it to the National Championship Game in 2017 and 2021, and San Diego State was also the runner-up in 2023.
What they’re saying: “We are delighted to welcome Gonzaga into the Pac-12 as they embark with us on this incredible path ahead,” said Pac-12 Commissioner Teresa Gould. “President McCulloh and Athletics Director Chris Standiford not only bring strategic expertise and forward thinking to the conference, but they are two incredible leaders who care deeply about student success and fortifying student-athlete academic and athletic experiences. Today represents an exciting milestone for the Pac-12 as we welcome another outstanding institution with a rich history of success into our league.”
- Gonzaga President Thayne McCulloh added, “Partnerships with a new group of universities can also assist in our student recruitment and enrollment efforts, create opportunities for academic collaboration with new faculty colleagues, and attract more students who value an excellent education distinctively rooted in our Jesuit identity and tradition. I am particularly excited about the opportunities partnering with this group of institutions can offer our students, faculty, and staff for multi-institutional collaboration.”
