The once-thriving Mountain West basketball conference appears to be losing its luster. With the Pac-12’s resurgence largely driven by football, basketball has taken a backseat to the lucrative world of college football. However, what if the Pac-12 made some strategic moves to become a powerhouse basketball conference?
Currently, the Pac-12 boasts a roster of schools including Boise State, San Diego State, Colorado State, Oregon State, Fresno State, and Washington State. To remain competitive in the College Football Playoff, they need to add two more schools to their ranks. Imagine if they could lure Memphis and Tulane away from the ACC, and persuade Gonzaga and St. Mary’s to join the fold, reviving the old Pac-10 name and creating a formidable basketball conference.
While this scenario may seem unlikely, it’s not entirely impossible. Perhaps if the ACC undergoes a shake-up, the Pac-12 could even welcome back Stanford and Cal. Conference realignment may be a messy affair, but it’s a reality that dominates the sports landscape.
In other news, the state of Connecticut has boldly declared itself the “Basketball Capital of the World” with a new border sign. Would this proclamation ruffle any feathers? College basketball also has its own special day, akin to college football’s “October 12th – Best Day of the Year.” Would you attend a wedding on December 14th?
Blue Ribbon predicts Rutgers will finish a modest 15th in the Big 10, but gambling odds suggest they’re the 5th favorite. What does the season hold for the Scarlet Knights, who boast two of the top three freshmen in the country? Mark Few has announced his successor at Gonzaga, but has no plans to retire just yet. And in a surprising move, Gary Payton is returning to community college to coach a team that struggled last year. What drives someone worth $50 million to take on such a challenge?
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