The rebuilt Pac-12 is back for the 2026-27 season as a nine-team league, blending holdovers from the old Pac-12 with programs from the Mountain West, WCC, and Sun Belt. Gonzaga is the clear class of the conference in its first year after leaving the WCC. However, the league should be more competitive than the Zags’ previous home and offers multiple-bid potential. Let’s take a look at the Pac-12 conference preview and best bets!
College Basketball 2026-27: Pac-12 Preview, Odds, And Best Bets
The current Pac-12 membership includes Gonzaga, Utah State, San Diego State, Colorado State, Oregon State, Boise State, Texas State, Washington State, and Fresno State. Basically, Gonzaga and a bunch of state schools! Only Oregon State and Washington State remain from the prior Pac-12 iteration. Most teams arrived through realignment, bringing established mid-major pedigrees.
Last season, Gonzaga went 31-4 overall and 16-2 in WCC. Utah State won the Mountain West regular season and tournament. San Diego State, Colorado State, and Boise State all posted solid Mountain West seasons. The new league is projected as one of the stronger non-power conferences, with multiple teams capable of receiving an NCAA Tournament at-large bid if they can perform well in non-conference play.
Coaching continuity is high for most of the programs. Gonzaga, SDSU, and Boise State all retain their coaches. The biggest changes include former Northern Iowa coach Ben Jacobson taking over at Utah State after Jerrod Calhoun’s departure. Another big change is that first-year head coach Justin Joiner takes over at Oregon State.
Biggest Changes And Portal Impacts
Gonzaga remains the talent outlier despite some roster turnover and eligibility questions on a few players. They do return Braden Huff and also added Arizona State transfer Massamba Dip, plus international prospect Izan Almansa.
Utah State kept Mountain West Player of the Year Mason Falslev and Sixth Man of the Year Karson Templin, while adding some frontcourt depth. San Diego State emphasized defense under Dutcher with portal additions like Chance Gladden.
Colorado State returns four starters from a 21-win team. Oregon State, Boise State, and Texas State will all lean on transfers. Washington State and Fresno State are deeper rebuild teams with a lot of unproven talent.
Odds to Win Big East Championship
Gonzaga -290
Utah State +495
San Diego State +1325
Boise State +1500
Colorado State +1750
Oregon State +3000
Texas State +12500
Washington State +24000
Fresno State +41000
Best Bets
Gonzaga To Win The Pac-12 (-290)
This is really juiced. However, it’s hard to make a case against Gonzaga. Few’s program has been a consistent national contender, and the current roster sits above the rest of this league on paper. Even in a tougher conference than the WCC, they should clear 14 conference wins in a round-robin schedule. The juice is high, but it’s the strongest bet in the conference. They are also +800 to make the Final Four.
Utah State To Win The Pac-12 (+495)
Finding bets in the Pac-12 conference preview isn’t easy. However, I wanted to have at least one other in my betting portfolio. Therefore, I’m looking at Utah State. They return their top players from a Mountain West title run and have added some nice frontcourt pieces under a proven coach. They’re the most logical threat to Gonzaga. At +495, I’m good placing a small wager on them, even though knowing getting past Gonzaga will be tough. If any team in this conference can do it, though, it’s Utah State.
