Myron Medcalf Sep 22, 2026, 07:45 AM ET

This season, Gonzaga men's basketball will compete in a league not named the West Coast Conference for the first time in nearly five decades. The same program that produced NBA legend John Stockton and current Clippers forward Rui Hachimura will now attempt to dominate a new version of the Pac-12. Meanwhile, there's more change in the WCC, with a new leader to guide Saint Mary's -- also for the first time in decades, after the departure of Randy Bennett.

Change is a common theme for the schools below that aren't a part of a high-major conference. Each year these teams are poached and reorganized because of portal and coaching carousel machinations. Some are able to set the stage for a rebound -- or a sad ending. So from the West Coast to the East Coast, let's take a look at 13 notable teams that could hit your radar -- for better or worse -- this season.

1. Gonzaga Bulldogs: 2025-26 finish: 31-4, 16-2 WCC (moving to the Pac-12), lost in the NCAA tournament round of 32. CEILING: Total wins: 34, Pac-12 finish: First, Postseason finish: Final Four. FLOOR: Total wins: 26, Pac-12 finish: Third, Postseason finish: NCAA tournament round of 32. Mark Few's team is probably the favorite in the new Pac-12 -- albeit with an asterisk. Xaivian Lee (11.6 PPG, 4.2 APG at Florida), Javon Bennett (15.8 PPG at Dayton) and Chauncey Wiggins (13.3 PPG, 39% from 3 at Florida State) all could make the Bulldogs a Final Four contender. All also need to be cleared to play a fifth season. Without them, Braden Huff (17.8 PPG in 18 games last season) remains an All-America candidate after an injury-plagued year and Massamba Diop (13.6 PPG, 2.1 BPG at Arizona State) will protect the rim. There is clearly a gap, however, between how far this team can go and how far it can fall.

2. Grand Canyon Lopes: 2025-26 finish: 20-12, 13-7 Mountain West, lost in the Mountain West tournament quarterfinal. CEILING: Total wins: 30, Mountain West finish: First, Postseason finish: Sweet 16. FLOOR: Total wins: 22, Mountain West finish: Third, Postseason finish: No NCAA tournament appearance. Bryce Drew could make Grand Canyon the king of the new Mountain West if he gets his full roster. Makaih Williams returns after averaging 14.0 PPG last season, second best on the team. Efe Demirel, a 7-1 sophomore, should build on last year's campaign (8.5 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.1 BPG). But the Lopes' season will depend mostly on the fate of three fifth-year candidates, most notably all-Mountain West first-teamer Jaden Henley, who averaged a team-best 17.7 PPG. He, along with NC State transfer Tre Holloman (9.2 PPG) and Baylor transfer Dan Skillings Jr. (9.4 PPG, 5.7 RPG), still need court rulings allowing them to play another year.

3. New Mexico Lobos: 2025-26 finish: 26-11, 13-7 Mountain West, lost in the NIT semifinal. CEILING: Total wins: 30, Mountain West finish: First, Postseason finish: Sweet 16. FLOOR: Total wins: 24, Mountain West finish: Second, Postseason finish: NCAA tournament round of 64. After winning 26 games, the Lobos lost nearly 60 PPG in offensive production, including key players in the transfer portal. But Jake Hall, the Mountain West freshman of the year and an All-Mountain West first-teamer, is back for a Lobos squad seeking its third NCAA tournament berth in four seasons -- and first under second-year head coach Eric Olen. Hall and Uriah Tenette (10.6 PPG) are the biggest reasons for optimism in Albuquerque.

4. High Point Panthers: 2025-26 finish: 31-5, 15-1 Big South, lost in the NCAA tournament round of 32. CEILING: Total wins: 30, Big South finish: First, Postseason finish: NCAA tournament round of 32.