It was obvious from both Final Four games that Gonzaga was bothered by the physical size and talent level of P5 teams.
So when are they going to a real conference for some better competition?
Candidates:
Mountain West
Would be welcomed with open arms as a non-football member, conference provides only a slight upgrade but they would have some real P5 competition.
Pac-12
The real upgrade, but its unlikely the PAC wants competition for WU and WSU media market-wise, and they'd have to find a 14th member for basketball (SDSU?)
Big East
This is, of course, where Gonzaga belongs with their other Catholic school peers. But the travel would just be too much - their closest team is Creighton. Would it be worth working out a travel schedule (a week on the road, a week off) that works for the students?
Reverse the Process: WCC brings in better schools
Would BYU consider joining the WCC? Unlikely, but a couple more decent teams would assist Gonzaga as well.
This loss has to sting, and despite recent statements, has to have Gonzaga thinking about how to make that next step.
Add USC to the WCC and its a "real" conference.
As shown by the tournament this year the PAC doesn't exactly "need" Gonzaga when you have both Oregon schools advancing deep into the tournament.
Gonzaga would not do as well in the PAC week in and out because of the talent level or be as important there.
(04-06-2021 09:38 AM)jgkojak Wrote: [ -> ]It was obvious from both Final Four games that Gonzaga was bothered by the physical size and talent level of P5 teams.
So when are they going to a real conference for some better competition?
Candidates:
Mountain West
Would be welcomed with open arms as a non-football member, conference provides only a slight upgrade but they would have some real P5 competition.
Pac-12
The real upgrade, but its unlikely the PAC wants competition for WU and WSU media market-wise, and they'd have to find a 14th member for basketball (SDSU?)
Big East
This is, of course, where Gonzaga belongs with their other Catholic school peers. But the travel would just be too much - their closest team is Creighton. Would it be worth working out a travel schedule (a week on the road, a week off) that works for the students?
Reverse the Process: WCC brings in better schools
Would BYU consider joining the WCC? Unlikely, but a couple more decent teams would assist Gonzaga as well.
This loss has to sting, and despite recent statements, has to have Gonzaga thinking about how to make that next step.
BYU is in the WCC.
Look at who Gonzaga has beaten over the years. They will play anyone, anywhere. Yeah, some of their WCC games are cake walks. Every conference has them though.
(04-06-2021 09:40 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote: [ -> ]Add USC to the WCC and its a "real" conference.
Thats a fun whatif. USC could easily survive as a football independent and being with Gonzaga and BYU would make not PAC life very bearable.
First, the notion Gonzaga struggles with P5 talent needs to be tossed in the trash:
(04-06-2021 09:38 AM)jgkojak Wrote: [ -> ]It was obvious from both Final Four games that Gonzaga was bothered by the physical size and talent level of P5 teams.
Gonzaga's P5 record: 9-1
Gonzaga's T25 record: 6-1 (5 double digit wins)
Cherry-picking to fit one's confirmation bias.
Second, it would be wise to know who's in the league you're deriding:
(04-06-2021 09:38 AM)jgkojak Wrote: [ -> ]Reverse the Process: WCC brings in better schools
Would BYU consider joining the WCC? Unlikely, but a couple more decent teams would assist Gonzaga as well.
BYU has been a WCC member for a decade now.
Third, it would be prudent to research the leagues before calling the MWC a "real conference" and the WCC "not a real conference" -- that's an unwarranted, and frankly incorrect, cheapshot of the WCC:
(04-06-2021 09:38 AM)jgkojak Wrote: [ -> ]So when are they going to a real conference for some better competition?
Candidates:
Mountain West
Would be welcomed with open arms as a non-football member, conference provides only a slight upgrade but they would have some real P5 competition.
1) Gonzaga turned down the MWC.
2) NET since it's been put in place:
WCC - 8, 9, 8
MWC - 12, 10, 12
If you remove Gonzaga, WCC was better than MWC 2 of 3 years.
3) MWC is 0-4 in the NCAA with losses by 9, 12, 16, & 17 over the same timespan.
Gonzaga this year was bothered by the physical size and talent level of P5 teams.*
*Except for USC, Creighton, UVA, Iowa, Kansas, Auburn, and Oklahoma, who they all beat by double digits
If Gonzaga played in the PAC-12 they won't have gone undefeated, but they still would have been a 1 or 2 seed. Baylor was just too much for them last night, but Baylor was too much for pretty much everyone else this year as well.
The WCC should let SDSU and Boise in since each would gladly park their olys and put FB in the AAC. Yes both are publics and the WCC is a private league, but the positives are hard to overlook.
If you play and beat Iowa, Kansas, Virginia, Auburn, and West Virginia on the road or neutral site and play a similar non-conference annually, there's no need to leave your multiple bid conference.
(04-06-2021 10:35 AM)AztecEmpire Wrote: [ -> ]The WCC should let SDSU and Boise in since each would gladly park their olys and put FB in the AAC. Yes both are publics and the WCC is a private league, but the positives are hard to overlook.
The West would benefit from a Big East basketball focused conference where members would be free to do what they want with football.
If BYU wanted a new "project" that would be a fun one
Off the top of my head a 7 team core olympic sports conference could be formed pretty easily.
The no basketball auto bid for 8 years would be bearable with this group
Gonzaga
St. Mary's
BYU
Boise
SDSU
NMSU
Seattle
(04-06-2021 10:48 AM)solohawks Wrote: [ -> ] (04-06-2021 10:35 AM)AztecEmpire Wrote: [ -> ]The WCC should let SDSU and Boise in since each would gladly park their olys and put FB in the AAC. Yes both are publics and the WCC is a private league, but the positives are hard to overlook.
The West would benefit from a Big East basketball focused conference where members would be free to do what they want with football.
If BYU wanted a new "project" that would be a fun one
Off the top of my head a 7 team core olympic sports conference could be formed pretty easily.
The no basketball auto bid for 8 years would be bearable with this group
Gonzaga
St. Mary's
BYU
Boise
SDSU
NMSU
Seattle
Seattle? Also Zags would never leave the WCC for this... I think the Zags would rather play in the Southland or the WAC before this makeshift idea.
(04-06-2021 11:01 AM)Lopes87 Wrote: [ -> ] (04-06-2021 10:48 AM)solohawks Wrote: [ -> ] (04-06-2021 10:35 AM)AztecEmpire Wrote: [ -> ]The WCC should let SDSU and Boise in since each would gladly park their olys and put FB in the AAC. Yes both are publics and the WCC is a private league, but the positives are hard to overlook.
The West would benefit from a Big East basketball focused conference where members would be free to do what they want with football.
If BYU wanted a new "project" that would be a fun one
Off the top of my head a 7 team core olympic sports conference could be formed pretty easily.
The no basketball auto bid for 8 years would be bearable with this group
Gonzaga
St. Mary's
BYU
Boise
SDSU
NMSU
Seattle
Seattle? Also Zags would never leave the WCC for this... I think the Zags would rather play in the Southland or the WAC before this makeshift idea.
I needed a #7 and they were the most logical.
How is playing Seattle 2x any different than playing Portland 2x?
If Air Force would be willing to make the jump they would make sense too, as I'm sure the AAC would have no problem hosting them with Boise and SDSU. I just don't know if Air Force would want to leave the MWC for a tougher Olympic sports conference?
(04-06-2021 11:02 AM)solohawks Wrote: [ -> ] (04-06-2021 11:01 AM)Lopes87 Wrote: [ -> ] (04-06-2021 10:48 AM)solohawks Wrote: [ -> ] (04-06-2021 10:35 AM)AztecEmpire Wrote: [ -> ]The WCC should let SDSU and Boise in since each would gladly park their olys and put FB in the AAC. Yes both are publics and the WCC is a private league, but the positives are hard to overlook.
The West would benefit from a Big East basketball focused conference where members would be free to do what they want with football.
If BYU wanted a new "project" that would be a fun one
Off the top of my head a 7 team core olympic sports conference could be formed pretty easily.
The no basketball auto bid for 8 years would be bearable with this group
Gonzaga
St. Mary's
BYU
Boise
SDSU
NMSU
Seattle
Seattle? Also Zags would never leave the WCC for this... I think the Zags would rather play in the Southland or the WAC before this makeshift idea.
I needed a #7 and they were the most logical.
How is playing Seattle 2x any different than playing Portland 2x?
I think it's more recruiting and markets. Portland gives Gonzaga a new recruiting ground while neither is sharing the same market. While it makes sense adding Seattle and let's say Eastern Washington (was mentioned to potentially want to drop football) Gonzaga might not want to fight for any potential recruit from what it views a smaller brand.
(04-06-2021 11:02 AM)solohawks Wrote: [ -> ] (04-06-2021 11:01 AM)Lopes87 Wrote: [ -> ] (04-06-2021 10:48 AM)solohawks Wrote: [ -> ] (04-06-2021 10:35 AM)AztecEmpire Wrote: [ -> ]The WCC should let SDSU and Boise in since each would gladly park their olys and put FB in the AAC. Yes both are publics and the WCC is a private league, but the positives are hard to overlook.
The West would benefit from a Big East basketball focused conference where members would be free to do what they want with football.
If BYU wanted a new "project" that would be a fun one
Off the top of my head a 7 team core olympic sports conference could be formed pretty easily.
The no basketball auto bid for 8 years would be bearable with this group
Gonzaga
St. Mary's
BYU
Boise
SDSU
NMSU
Seattle
Seattle? Also Zags would never leave the WCC for this... I think the Zags would rather play in the Southland or the WAC before this makeshift idea.
I needed a #7 and they were the most logical.
How is playing Seattle 2x any different than playing Portland 2x?
Both schools aren't great at their marquee sport which is basketball.
NMSU is a solid program but it's tough to get to.
I'd sub almost any other western mid major in for Seattle.
I'd start with looking at schools that have been successful in their current league and has money.
(04-06-2021 11:11 AM)Lopes87 Wrote: [ -> ] (04-06-2021 11:02 AM)solohawks Wrote: [ -> ] (04-06-2021 11:01 AM)Lopes87 Wrote: [ -> ] (04-06-2021 10:48 AM)solohawks Wrote: [ -> ] (04-06-2021 10:35 AM)AztecEmpire Wrote: [ -> ]The WCC should let SDSU and Boise in since each would gladly park their olys and put FB in the AAC. Yes both are publics and the WCC is a private league, but the positives are hard to overlook.
The West would benefit from a Big East basketball focused conference where members would be free to do what they want with football.
If BYU wanted a new "project" that would be a fun one
Off the top of my head a 7 team core olympic sports conference could be formed pretty easily.
The no basketball auto bid for 8 years would be bearable with this group
Gonzaga
St. Mary's
BYU
Boise
SDSU
NMSU
Seattle
Seattle? Also Zags would never leave the WCC for this... I think the Zags would rather play in the Southland or the WAC before this makeshift idea.
I needed a #7 and they were the most logical.
How is playing Seattle 2x any different than playing Portland 2x?
Both schools aren't great at their marquee sport which is basketball.
NMSU is a solid program but it's tough to get to.
I'd sub almost any other western mid major in for Seattle.
I'd start with looking at schools that have been successful in their current league and has money.
GCU would make sense but they seems to have perception issues, fairly or unfairly, so I did not list them.
The easiest solution would be for the WCC to just add Boise.
Gonzaga could go Godfather on the WCC if they wanted to do so to help seal the deal
I think it’s silly that people project Gonzaga’s record but finale flop on its conference. That in a “real conference,” this team would have been better prepared for last night’s assault or humbled by a few losses with a tougher walk. Those people clearly don’t watch this sport.
I think it became obvious last night that Gonzaga wasn’t undone by its conference. It was undone because the other team’s coach did a far better job preparing Baylor for THIS game against THAT Gonzaga team. Whereas Gonzaga kinda tried to run on swagger over its offensive weapons.
Preparation was what undid Gonzaga. Not the WCC. It’s not like Baylor really ever saw an offense like that during its season...
Gonzaga is fine in the WCC and will continue to challenge for national titles. It's a major to high-major program that is now as stable and nationally influential as just about any other. True, the WCC is not a big-time league. But that will not prevent the Zags from one day winning it all.
I do agree, however, that Gonzaga likely needs more powerful and athletic interior players. The program seemingly has never offered a sufficient number of those type players most seasons.
Would be interesting to add SDSU and Boise to the WCC