David Connelly

Explosive College Basketball Friday: Top Games & Analysis

https://sg-images-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/USATSI_22899303_cropped.jpg

The Bulldogs enter the revamped Pac-12 as the crown jewel of the conference. They are second in active NCAA Tournament appearance streaks at 24, only behind Michigan State. Mark Few has built this team into a West Coast powerhouse, and they finally get the move they deserve to a conference that should provide more competition than the WCC did. But the question remains: Can they get over the hump and win a national championship?
<a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/newsletter/?utm_source=msn_feed&amp;utm_medium=video&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter">Have all the intel you need? Free actionable info is one click away! Sign up for our daily newsletter, SportsGrid Daily.</a>

1. Gonzaga

https://sg-images-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/USATSI_22891217_cropped.jpg

Along with the Zags, the Aztecs are among the most accomplished teams of the 21st century. Their recent run to the national championship game in 2022 capped off their most successful season in program history, and they have been a perennial powerhouse in the Mountain West dating back to the Kawhi Leonard days. They are firmly on the map out west, and the pickups on the recruiting trail and in the transfer portal will only be more significant with Pac-12 next to their name.

2. San Diego State

https://web.sportsgrid.com/assets/images/DK_slideshow_ad.webp

https://sg-images-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/USATSI_22765712_cropped.jpg

It's been a long time coming, but the Beavers were a force in college basketball throughout the 1960's and 1980's. With a pair of Final Fours to their name, they fill out our third spot on this list with some historical pedigree and as a founding member of the conference more than a century ago. Head coach Wayne Tinkle had them on the verge of a Final Four in 2021, but it will take some rebuilding to get them back in that position.

3. Oregon State

https://sg-images-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/USATSI_22730472_cropped.jpg

Boise State may be the only program on this list at its peak. Head coach Leon Rice is the winningest in the program's history and has them as an NCAA Tournament team nearly every year. San Diego State has enough pedigree and national recognition to get a strong non-conference schedule and the proper buzz from the media. As for the Broncos, this move may be most beneficial to a school like theirs that has the talent and coaching but lacks the overall hype.

4. Boise State

https://sg-images-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/USATSI_20242328_cropped.jpg

The retirement of head coach Stew Morrill in 2015 after 16 years with the program left Utah State at a crossroads with an uncertain future. It led to a failed stint with Tim Duryea, followed by three home run hires in Craig Smith, Ryan Odom, and Danny Sprinkle. The problem for the Aggies? Each head coach left for a better job after displaying success with the program. This move to the Pac-12 should aid that and give the job plenty more staying power for its future coaches.

5. Utah State

https://sg-images-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/USATSI_22514225_cropped.jpg

The Rams are just two years removed from their highest finish in the AP Top 25, their highest NCAA Tournament seed, and their best win percentage in a season back in 2021-22. Head coach Niko Medved has had this team play like one of the premier mid-majors in the country over the past few years, and they are well worth being a part of the power conference sphere in college hoops.

6. Colorado State

https://sg-images-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/USATSI_22779253_cropped.jpg

Despite their long duration as a power conference program, there hasn't been much for Washington State to hang its hat on the hardwood. The Cougs made the national championship game in 1941 and only one Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2008. The surprise 2024 season that led to the program's seventh-ever NCAA Tournament appearance was one of the best seasons in the school's history and could be a solid step towards becoming a more relevant team in college basketball.

7. Washington State

https://sg-images-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/USATSI_9192337_cropped.jpg

A school certainly not known for its basketball, Fresno State has reached March Madness just once since 2002. It's been over 40 years since it reached a second weekend, and the only excitement around the program in the 21st century has come when Paul George was on campus in the late 2000s. The program can get a kickstart and enjoy the Pac-12 nametag going forward, which should help it find better talent for its future rosters. 
Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/">SportsGrid</a>.

8. Fresno State

Ranking the Eight New Pac-12 College Basketball Programs

Missouri and South Carolina, both top 25, clash in week 12. South Carolina leads by 11.5, and Missouri aims for an upset. Who can make an SEC statement?

Missouri vs. South Carolina Top 25 College Football Clash

LSU vs. Florida in Gainesville seeks recovery from recent losses. DJ Lagway's return could ignite a scoring frenzy. Can LSU bounce back after last week's loss?

LSU vs. Florida: Game Preview, Best Bets, and Odds Analysis

Exploring 28 potential SEC Championship matchups in Atlanta, with Alabama and Texas leading as favorites. Which other teams could make a case for themselves?

SEC Championship Scenarios: Texas vs. Alabama Likely

LATEST VIDEOS

Pac-12 basketball,new Pac-12 teams,Pac-12 college basketball,Pac-12 basketball rankings,new Pac-12 programs,ranking new Pac-12 teams,Pac-12 basketball 2024,Pac-12 expansion,college basketball Pac-12,Pac-12 basketball preview,Pac-12 team rankings,new Pac-12 basketball teams,Pac-12 conference expansion,college basketball rankings,Pac-12 basketball analysis,Pac-12 basketball teams,new Pac-12 basketball programs,2024 Pac-12 basketball,college basketball Pac-12 rankings,Pac-12 basketball programs,Pac-12 teams preview,Pac-12 basketball updates,Pac-12 college basketball programs,NCAA Pac-12 basketball,Leon Rice,Niko Medved,Mark Few,Wayne Tinkle,Boise State Broncos,Boise  ID,Mountain West,NCAA Division I,Colorado State Rams,Fort Collins  CO,Fresno State Bulldogs,Fresno  CA,Gonzaga Bulldogs,Spokane  WA,West Coast,Oregon State Beavers,Corvallis  OR,San Diego State Aztecs,San Diego  CA,Utah State Aggies,Logan  UT,Washington State Cougars,Pullman  WA

keywords

twitter:card

twitter:title

https://sg-images-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/thumnbail-webp/article/1990375-1920x1080.webp?v=1731772006

twitter:image

thumbnail

google

There are plenty of new faces in the Pac-12 entering the mix in 2026. As we prepare for the new conglomerate of West Coast programs, we rank their pedigree.

description

expires

robots

og:locale

og:site_name

og:type

og:title

og:description

og:image

og:image:type

og:image:width

og:image:height

og:image:secure_url

article:published_time

article:modified_time

Top 65 Improved College Basketball Teams Via the Transfer Portal

Top 20 College Athletes With the Highest NIL Valuations

College Basketball: 5 Things I've Learned About Kentucky Through 3 Games

College Basketball: 5 Things I’ve Learned About Duke Through 3 Games

Cooper Flagg Leads College Basketball Players Raking in the Highest NIL Deals

Kansas vs Michigan State: Champions Classic Game Preview & Pick

No. 6 Duke vs No. 19 Kentucky Tuesday Prediction | College Basketball Picks Today, Best Bets

BIG EAST Basketball’s Best Performers of Week 1: Kalkbrenner, Sorber, and More

Creighton Bluejays 2024-25 Preview & Big East Basketball Predictions

North Carolina vs. Kansas: Friday's Game Preview & Pick

College Basketball Transfer Portal

CBB Transfer Portal Player Rankings

Top Women’s Players in the Transfer Portal

Comment

Home

Articles

SportsGrid is your source for the best sports bets today. Watch SportsGrid for live sports news coverage, scores, odds, moneylines, sports betting tips & more.

sportsgrid.com

Ferrall Coast To Coast

College Football Today

NFL Pro Football Today

Bare Knuckle Fighting Main Event

In-Game LIVE Prime Time

The Early Line Live

SportsRage Tonight Live

NewsWire Live

The Bostonian Vs. The Book

Bare Knuckle Fighting Knuckle Up

MODUS Super Series Darts

Gametime Decisions Live

SportsGrid 2024 NFL Draft Special

Fantasy Sports Today

The Smylie Kaufman Show

SportsGrid 2024 NBA Draft Special

NHL Today

OUR SHOWS

Ranked 25th, Tulane (80% cover rate) is favored in an away game versus Navy—a pivotal college football clash. Can Navy pull off the upset on this Saturday?

Tulane Faces Navy Today in Key College Football Matchup

LATEST SPORTSGRID VIDEOS

Wherever you are, SportsGrid can be there too. Here are all of the platforms and subscription services you can find us on and how to watch SportsGrid today.

Where to Watch SportsGrid | How to Watch SportsGrid | SportsGrid

Samsung TV Plus

Roku TV

FireTV

LG Channels

Vizio

Xiaomi

VIDAA

SportsGrid is free to watch on any of the following Connected TV’s

FREE ON MY TV

Amazon Prime Video

Freevee

YouTube TV

FuboTV

Plex

Sling Tv

FreeCast

Local Now

Stremium

Rad TV

Free Live Sports

SportsGrid is free to watch on any of the following Streaming services

LIVE STREAMING SERVICES

Sirius XM

Sports.Tv

YouTube

Download the new SportsGrid app, watch on SportsGrid.com or our YouTube Channel

WEB/MOBILE

SportsGrid is free to watch on any of the following platforms

ALL PARTNERS

Wherever you are, SportsGrid can be there too. Here are all of the platforms and subscription services you can find us on:

MORE ARTICLES