Texas State has accepted an invitation to become the ninth program and the eighth all-sports institution to join the revamped Pac-12 Conference after a unanimous board vote. The Pac-12 needed eight football programs in order to be recognized as an FBS conference. Gonzaga is the only school without a football program.

The new look conference is set to debut in the fall of 2026.

The school’s athletic history isn’t something to write home about, and their basketball programs would be the worst team in the Pac-12. The men’s team hasn’t made the NCAA Tournament since 1997, and the women’s team hasn’t since 2003. With that being said, the athletic department is investing more money into all their programs and has a sound location for recruiting in the state of Texas.

Texas State also brings a robust television market that opens up the Central Time Zone in San Marcos (about an hour from both San Antonio and Houston) for media partners, like the CBS Sports Network. The basketball facilities have had a somewhat recent expansion in 2018, with the Strahan Arena now seating 10,000. This is a solid addition to the conference as a whole with potential upside down the road.

The new Pac-12 will consist of the Zags, Washington State Cougars, Oregon State Beavers, San Diego State Aztecs, Colorado State Rams, Utah State Aggies, Boise State Broncos, Fresno State Bulldogs, and now Texas State. This conference has the fourth-best average NET ranking among all other men’s basketball leagues. Plus, seven of its nine programs have made the NCAA Tournament at least once since 2021, including two appearances in the national championship.

is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area... Follow him on Twitter @a_cravalho