5 games that will define Gonzaga’s first season in the Pac-12

Mark Few and the Gonzaga Bulldogs embark on a new adventure in the Pac-12 in 2026-27, after spending the last 46 years in the West Coast Conference.

The new Pac-12 consists of five former Mountain West members – Boise State, Colorado State, Utah State, San Diego State, and Fresno State – as well as stalwarts Oregon State and Washington State, and former Sun Belt program Texas State.

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Nine Pac-12 programs mean Gonzaga will have 16 total conference games, playing each team once at home and once on the road, a balanced schedule that will clearly determine the league champion at the end of the season.

Now that the calendar has been revealed, we take a look at the five most important dates on the Pac-12 schedule for Gonzaga, which spans Jan. 6 through March 6 before the Pac-12 Tournament, which runs March 9-13 in Las Vegas.

5. Jan. 6 at Washington State – The Pac-12 era begins

Washington State University head coach David Riley. | Photo by Myk Crawford

Gonzaga opens up Pac-12 play on the road in Pullman, a fitting start to a longtime local rivalry that now – finally – resides in the same conference.

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While WSU isn’t projected to finish near the top of the standings, Gonzaga’s first Pac-12 game after 46 years in the WCC is clearly worth highlighting – especially on the road against a team 75 miles away that would love nothing more than to send an early message to the rest of the league.

4. Jan. 9 vs. Colorado State – A historic night in Spokane

Colorado State men’s basketball coach Ali Farokhmanesh, right, talks to Carey Booth during a summer practice at the indoor practice facility on July 8, 2026, in Fort Collins, Colo. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Gonzaga’s first home game of the new Pac-12 era comes on Saturday, January 9 when the Rams of Colorado State come to town. CSU and Gonzaga have played just once before, back in November 2013 when the Zags handled the Rams in Spokane, 93-61.

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This one will likely be much closer, with coach Ali…

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Publish date : 2026-10-07 01:15:00

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