Why Gonzaga finally made the leap from the WCC to the Pac-12

Why now? After all the flirtation with the Big East and Big 12, what made Gonzaga finally leave the WCC? For one, money matters and Gonzaga is set to make more of it with the move. The Pac-12 is a deeper basketball league and figures to land a more lucrative media rights deal. 

And perhaps geography does matter to some. Unlike the Big 12 and especially the Big East, the Pac-12 allows Gonzaga to compete in a superior league to the WCC, while maintaining a sensical geographical conference. Currently, the Zags longest trip will be a three-hour flight to San Diego State. 

It also matters that the Pac-12 gives Gonzaga an opportunity to play a tougher league schedule. For years, head coach Mark Few has loaded up the nonconference slate and it's worked. The opportunity to play some of the nation's best has brought in top recruits both internationally and domestically, while preparing the team for March. 

Gonzaga has made it to the Sweet 16 in nine consecutive tournaments. Few may still play a loaded nonconference schedule, but he won't have to schedule so extreme to secure a higher seed in March.

Things won't be the same for the program moving forward. There may be more losses and their seed may be a bit worse in March, but if the past two decades have shown anything it's that the Zags won't skip a beat when it comes to winning games in March.