Alright, college hoops fans, get ready because Gonzaga’s Braden Huff, that absolute “efficiency monster” who is arguably the best player outside the traditional Power Five, is carrying some serious weight on his shoulders. Or, more accurately, on his knees. This guy is the real deal, and how healthy he stays this season will dictate everything for the Zags, especially with the crazy new landscape of the resurrected Pac-12.
The Pac-12 Is Back, Baby, And It’s Wild
Listen up, because conference realignment just dropped a bombshell on the mid-major scene. The Pac-12? Yeah, it’s back from the dead, and it came roaring back by swiping basically half the Mountain West. This ain’t your grandpa’s Pac-12, though. This new union out west is stacked with Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Gonzaga, Oregon State, San Diego State, Texas State, Utah State, and our very own Washington State! Seriously, nine state schools and the Zags. And don’t even try to say Gonzaga wasn’t essential, because they were “absolutely necessary to legitimize” this morphed, new phase of the conference. With the NCAA Tournament now sporting 76 teams, the new Pac-12 should be gunning for at least three bids to the Big Dance every single year. And for 2027? Yeah, expect it to happen.
Huff’s Health: The Key To Gonzaga’s Deep Run
Now, back to Huff. He’s not just some good player, he’s “pretty clearly the best player outside the Power Five” according to the experts. This dude is a 6-10 4-man who can move, an “efficiency monster” in every sense of the word. But here’s the thing: his health is everything if Gonzaga wants a shot at a top-three NCAA seed. Remember last year? He only played in 18 games, sidelined by a knee injury in January that, get this, “wound up being more serious than initially disclosed.” That’s the kind of stuff that makes you hold your breath every time he hits the deck. The good news? He’s got some sturdy reinforcements around him, like returning small forward Davis Fogle and center Massamba Diop, who came over from Arizona State. That frontcourt could be one of the best in college basketball, and if Huff stays healthy, we could be looking at an All-American season after Graham Ike’s departure.
Mid-Major Mayhem: Who Else Is On The Radar?
While the Pac-12 was busy raiding, the Mountain West got hit hard. They managed to keep UNLV, New Mexico, and Nevada, and even brought Grand Canyon aboard which could be huge for their hopes of being a two-bid league. But with UC Davis, San Jose State, Hawaii, and Air Force still in the ranks, it’s pretty clear the conference’s “best days are almost certainly in the past.” Elsewhere, the WAC is officially dead and got rebranded as the United Athletic Conference. Uh, okay? They scooped up some former ASUN programs, leaving the ASUN as an eight-school outfit. Oh, and keep an eye on Mason Falslev from Utah State. He was pegged as a top-five player on this list just last year, so you know he’s bringing the heat.
This college basketball season is shaping up to be wild, especially with all these conference shifts. Can Gonzaga truly legitimize the new Pac-12? It all rides on Huff staying healthy and those Zags locking in. Let’s see what they bring to the court!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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