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Report: Gonzaga To Join Mountain West? Decision Possibly Within Two Weeks
Gonzaga athletic director Mike Roth confirmed that decision could come within next two weeks “in a perfect world”
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The Mountain West could be weeks away from its biggest expansion move in conference history
A CBS Sports report has indicated that Gonzaga’s rumored move to the Mountain West could be just weeks away.
Gonzaga athletic director Mike Roth told CBS Sports that his program could join the Mountain West for the 2018-19 season within the coming weeks.
Though other members have been rumored to join the Mountain West, Roth did not indicate that any other programs are planning to join the MWC at this time.
If the move does go through, Gonzaga would vastly improve its conference schedule, which has been a detriment in recent years, while the Mountain West would add one of the nation’s prominent programs. The Bulldogs have notched three consecutive Sweet 16 appearances and clinched NCAA Tournament bids in 20 straight years.
The Mountain West returned to multi-bid status this season, as Nevada and San Diego State were part of the 68-team NCAA Tournament field. In 2013, the Mountain West had a conference-best five teams in the NCAA Tournament while ranking first nationally in conference RPI.
With Gonzaga’s addition, the Mountain West would have 12 members for both basketball and football. Gonzaga would be the only Mountain West basketball member without a D-I football program. Hawaii participates in the Mountain West as a football-only member.
There is no set timetable for a final decision at the time of the CBS Sports report’s publication.