What's next for Gonzaga Explaining Mark Few's future, conference change and more after loss to Texas originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Gonzaga became the highest seed to lose in the 2026 NCAA tournament thus far, falling to Texas 74-68 on Saturday night.
While the Bulldogs weren't a huge favorite to get to the Final Four this year, it's disappointing losing to a No. 11 seed that had to play in the First Four earlier in the week. Gonzaga now must grapple with another season without a National Championship despite another high seed.
However, the Bulldogs end the season facing a new and exciting future for the first time in over four decades, as the program is making a conference switch. It's to be determined how much this will impact the product on the court, but it sets up a new challenge for Mark Few and company.
Here's a breakdown of where Gonzaga goes from here.
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What's next for Gonzaga
Gonzaga's loss means the Bulldogs failed to make it beyond the first weekend of the NCAA tournament in back-to-back seasons, the first time that has happened in over a decade. Still, with Mark Few not going anywhere, Gonzaga should once again be a tournament team next year.
The biggest difference for Gonzaga in the Fall will be conference realignment. For the first time since 1978, Gonzaga will be playing a different conference next season. The Bulldogs are leaving the West Coast Conference after 47 years as a member to join the new iteration of the Pac-12 in 2026-27 as a basketball-only member.
Besides switching conferences, Gonzaga will also see notable departures. Graduate senior and current active NCAA points leader Graham Ike is set to graduate after three seasons in Spokane, meaning the Bulldogs will lose their best player. Additionally, grad transfer Tyon Grant-Foster is also in line to graduate after being a key player off the bench this season.
As for additions, expect Mark Few to hit the transfer portal looking for upgrades. Gonzaga has currently signed three incoming Freshman from the class of 2026, including top-40 ranked small forward Luca Foster. The Bulldogs other two incoming four-star recruits are Sam Funches and Jack Kayil.
The good news for Gonzaga is Braden Huff is in line to return next season. The forward, who played 70 games in his first two seasons, dealt with injuries that limited him to just 18 games this season, including none in the NCAA tournament.
The Bulldogs should also bring back Davis Fogle, their top recruit in the class of 2025 who played 29 games off the bench, and Mario Saint-Supery, the team's top three-point shooter from the year, among other returning members.
Gonzaga conference change
Gonzaga has dominated the West Coast Conference, but the Bulldogs are making a conference change in 2026-27, joining a new-look Pac-12. Gonzaga will be a basketball-only member of the nine-team conference that includes San Diego State, Utah State, Washington State, Colorado State, Boise State, Texas State, Fresno State and Oregon State.
The Bulldogs had been in the WCC since 1979, and have won the WCC tournament in 22 of the last 28 years.
HISTORY OF UPSETS BY SEED:
16 vs. 1 | 15 vs. 2 | 14 vs. 3 | 13 vs. 4 | 12 vs. 5
What went wrong for Gonzaga
In the end, Gonzaga's guard play wasn't good enough, as the Bulldogs' two best players were both big men. While Graham Ike and Braden Huff were a dynamic frontcourt, the guard rotation wasn't strong enough on the offensive end.
This Bulldogs' team relied on its defense, but the team never had a true floor general to work with Ike and Huff like it needed. Therefore, Few needs to hit the transfer portal and add to his backcourt for the 2026-27 season, especially since the frontcourt won't be as good without Ike.
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Will Mark Few get fired?
Few has one of the safest seats in college basketball, as he has built the Gonzaga basketball program into the power that it is today. When Few ultimately does leave Gonzaga, it will likely be his own decision, whether that be retirement or taking a different job.