The 2026‑27 college basketball season will see a reshaped Pac‑12 that aims to claim the crown among non‑Power Five conferences. With a lineup that blends traditional mid‑major powerhouses and emerging programs, the league is being billed as the most competitive outside the elite tier.
At the center of the buzz is Gonzaga, the perennial West Coast contender that enters the new era ranked No. 8 in the preseason polls. The Bulldogs, under longtime coach Mark Few, will mark their 27th consecutive NCAA tournament appearance, underscoring their sustained excellence.
A New Landscape for Mid‑Major Basketball
Beyond the Pac‑12, the broader picture of mid‑major basketball remains dynamic. The Atlantic 10 has enjoyed a streak of multi‑bid NCAA tournaments from 2006 through 2022, while the Mountain West has sent four or more teams to the big dance in each of the last four years. Yet the Mountain West also lost several strong programs, leaving a mix of contenders like Grand Canyon, New Mexico and Nevada to keep the league afloat.
The American Athletic Conference, once a rising force, has slipped after Houston, UCF and Cincinnati departed for the Big 12, a shift that has left the league searching for new identity. Meanwhile, the West Coast Conference’s run of seven straight multi‑bid tournaments hangs in the balance for 2027, and the Missouri Valley’s hopes of sending multiple teams appear increasingly tenuous.