The era of Grand Canyon in the WCC ended before it even began, with the school announcing on Friday it will join the Mountain West conference – just six months after agreeing to join the West Coast Conference in 2025.
Of course, neither the Mountain West or WCC look the same as they did six months ago thanks to the Pac-12, who snagged Boise State, Colorado State, San Diego State, Fresno State, and Utah State from the Mountain West and then added basketball powerhouse Gonzaga from the WCC.
“We want to best position ourselves to be nationally competitive, and we are excited about the vision and future of the Mountain West,” GU athletic director Jamie Boggs said in a statement. “We are joining a conference that has enjoyed national success, has developed a rich tradition in its 26 years and has financially positioned us for competitive success in this changing collegiate landscape. We are eager to compete for championships with our future peers in the Mountain West.”
It’s a huge blow for the WCC, who had added both Grand Canyon and Seattle University from the WAC in part as insurance for the potential loss of Gonzaga – who explored the Big 12 and Big East before ultimately getting an invite to the new look Pac-12 starting in 2026.
Now the conference won’t have Grand Canyon, who would have competed with St. Mary’s at the top of the standings in men’s basketball. Instead the ‘Lopes – who are projected to be one of the best mid-major basketball programs in the country after earning a 12 seed in the NCAA Tournament last season – join a Mountain West that lost many of their best brands not only in football but basketball as well.
The MWC will now add Grand Canyon to a men’s basketball lineup that still includes Nevada and New Mexico, two NCAA Tournament teams from last season, as well as a strong historical program in UNLV.