Welcome to the final 2025-26 installment of the Hotline’s Pac-12 men’s basketball power rankings. The next edition, tentatively slotted for early December, will reflect the hierarchy in a conference that actually exists. Until then, we will continue covering, and commenting on, developing issues that impact the rebuilt Pac-12. (For those who missed it, last week’s edition examined the uncertain future of Washington State coach David Riley.)

What better way to cap our season-long coverage of a conference that doesn’t exist than to hand out imaginary awards?

Here we go.

Player of the Year: Gonzaga F Graham Ike. An easy call, frankly. The senior dominated in the West Coast Conference and was superb in the Zags’ biggest games, averaging 24.6 points and seven rebounds in wins over UCLA, Kentucky and Alabama, and 23.5 points in two matchups with Saint Mary’s.

Coach of the year: Gonzaga’s Mark Few. We gave serious consideration to Utah State’s Jerrod Calhoun but opted for Few because of circumstances: The Zags played half the season without forward Braden Huff, one of the best big men on the West Coast, and were not derailed. Casuals won’t appreciate Few’s management — the Zags are always good, after all — but this was some of his finest work.

Freshman of the Year: Texas State F DJ Hall. West Coast fans might not have been aware of Hall’s debut in the Sun Belt, but they will know him next season (assuming he stays in San Marcos). The 6-foot-7, 220-pounder scored at least 20 points in eight games and had nine double-doubles. Also considered: Fresno State forward DeShawn Gory.

Transfer of the Year: Utah State G MJ Collins Jr. Collins spent two years at Virginia Tech and one at Vanderbilt before moving to Logan and excelling in the Mountain West. He led the Aggies with 17.6 points per game and scored 27 in the victory over New Mexico last weekend that clinched the regular-season championship.

Defensive Player of the Year: San Diego State G Myles Byrd. A defensive dynamo with a 6-foot-10 wingspan, Byrd can guard multiple positions and disrupt from anywhere. He averaged 4.5 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game, plus 1.2 blocks. Later this week, he will be named to the Mountain West’s all-defensive team … for the third time.

All-conference

First team

Gonzaga F Graham IkeTexas State F DJ HallUtah State G Mason FalslevOregon State G Josiah LakeSan Diego State G Reese-Dixon Waters

Second team

Utah State G MJ Collins Jr.Colorado State F Kyle JorgensenBoise State C Drew FielderWashington State G Ace GlassFresno State G Jake Heidbreder

To the power rankings …

(Results and NET rankings through Sunday)

1. Gonzaga (28-3)

Results: Did not playNET ranking: No. 5Comment: There are seasons in which the Zags’ performance in the West Coast Conference tournament has little, if any bearing on their NCAA Tournament seed. This is not one of those seasons. There’s a big difference between No. 3 and No. 4, with the former avoiding the No. 1s until the Elite Eight. If they win the WCC, the Zags could claim the more favorable path through March. (Previous: 1)

2. Boise State (20-11)

Results: beat San Diego State 86-77, won at Colorado State 78-67NET ranking: No. 57Comment: If the new Pac-12 is as topsy-turvy as the current Mountain West — the Broncos are a major player in the mayhem — then it will be fun to watch. That said, parity can be the enemy of NCAA Tournament bids. The conference would be better served with a dominant top tier, although it certainly doesn’t need to be the same teams every year. (Previous: 4)

3. Utah State (25-6)

Results: lost at UNLV 92-65, beat New Mexico 94-90NET ranking: No. 29Comment: The Aggies are in a solid position for an at-large bid to the NCAAs in the event they don’t win the Mountain West. But we’re hesitant to declare them safe. A loss in the quarterfinals or semifinals of the MW tournament would make for an anxious Selection Sunday. (Previous: 2)

4. San Diego State (20-10)

Results: lost at Boise State 86-77, beat UNLV 89-86NET ranking: No. 47Comment: At least there is clarity: The Aztecs have no chance to reach the NCAAs through the at-large pool; they must win the Mountain West tournament. And the path is daunting, with potential matchups against sizzling Colorado State and stout New Mexico just to reach the final, where they would likely face their nemesis, Grand Canyon, or top-seeded Utah State. (Previous: 3)

5. Colorado State (20-11)

Results: won at New Mexico 82-74, lost to Boise State 78-67NET ranking: No. 87Comment: Regardless of their fate in the Mountain West tournament, the Rams’ hot finish (eight wins in the final nine games) creates momentum at the close of coach Ali Farokhmanesh’s first season and the dawn of their new conference affiliation. All signs point to CSU being a factor next winter. (Previous: 5)

6. Oregon State (17-15)

Results: beat San Francisco 78-77NET ranking: No. 171Comment: Several interesting names have surfaced during OSU’s coaching search, including former Saint Mary’s assistant Justin Joyner (now with Michigan). Athletic director Scott Barnes has made a series of gaffes in Corvallis. Will he get the basketball hire right? Here’s an equally important question: Will the Beavers provide their next coach with the revenue sharing and NIL support necessary to succeed? (Previous: 6)

7. Texas State (19-13)

Results: lost to Southern Mississippi 81-77NET ranking: No. 237Comment: After winning eight of nine to finish the regular season, the fifth-seeded Bobcats dropped their opener in the Sun Belt tournament to No. 8 Southern Miss. A new conference awaits. Will they be relevant? NET rankings in the 200s won’t be well received. (Previous: 7)

8. Fresno State (13-18)

Results: beat San Jose State 82-68, lost at Grand Canyon 85-60NET ranking: No. 149Comment: There’s progress, for sure: The Bulldogs were 2-18 in conference play last season under coach Vance Walberg and 7-13 this year. But there won’t be as many easy wins in the new Pac-12, and Walberg will be under pressure to produce in his third season. So things could get interesting in The Valley this time next year. (Previous: 9)

9. Washington State (12-20)

Results: lost to Portland 74-68NET ranking: No. 142Comment: The Cougars were eliminated from the West Coast Conference tournament by a lower seed for their seventh loss in eight games. Two things are equally true: 1) Second-year coach David Riley has done nothing to give WSU constituents hope that he’s the right man for the job; 2) Riley doesn’t have the resources (cash) to construct a roster that can compete in the new Pac-12....

Contra Costa Times

Message History

Delivery option(s)