You are witness to a seismic shift in college basketball history as the Gonzaga Women program prepares to trade their dominant throne in the West Coast Conference for the shark-infested waters of the refashioned Pac-12. Do you think the Zags can survive a conference where every single night feels like a national championship game? The transition isn’t just a change of scenery; it is a total overhaul of the program’s competitive DNA. After years of bullying their way through the WCC, Lisa Fortier and her squad are entering a landscape where the depth is deeper and the stakes are infinitely higher.
The Gonzaga Women basketball team has spent decades building a reputation as a mid-major powerhouse, but those days are officially over. This move represents a calculated risk aimed at securing a permanent seat at the table of elite programs. You will see Gonzaga face rivals that aren’t just looking for a win; they are looking to dismantle the Bulldog legacy. This is a story of grit, recruitment strategy, and a coaching staff that is about to shatter every record in the book.
Gonzaga Women Conquer New Ground
The refashioned Pac-12 is not the conference of old, but for the Gonzaga Women, it represents the most significant hurdle in the history of the program. Last season in the WCC was a rare outlier where the competition actually felt tight. Historically, the WCC has been light on depth, often featuring only two or three teams capable of winning the league. Now, the Zags find themselves surrounded by hungry programs like Oregon State and San Diego State who are used to high-octane environments.
Way-too-early 2027 NCAA Tournament bracketology already has experts buzzing about how the Zags will fit in. Current projections place the Gonzaga Women as the automatic bid winners from the Pac-12, but the seeding tells a different story. Analysts have them pegged anywhere from a No. 7 to a No. 10 seed. This suggests that while they are respected, the national media is waiting to see if they can actually handle the grind of a 16-game conference schedule against Power 4-level talent.
Coach Lisa Fortier is leaning into this challenge with a focus that should scare the rest of the league. She notes that the Power 4 conferences rarely play each other twice anymore, making the Pac-12’s double-round-robin format a throwback to true championship basketball. You are going to see a regular-season champion crowned through pure exhaustion and tactical brilliance. Every night in this league will push the Zags to their absolute limit, leaving no room for the blowouts that used to characterize their WCC play.
The New Conference Rivals
- San Diego State: Returning four starters from a squad that dominated the Mountain West last year.
- Oregon State: A program with deep tournament experience and three returning starters ready for a fight.
- Colorado State: The Zags’ kryptonite, having beaten Gonzaga at the McCarthey Athletic Center last year.
- Boise State: A 25-win program that brings physical defense and veteran leadership to the table.
Fortier’s Strategy for Elite Success
While many programs are panicking and throwing millions of dollars into the transfer portal, Lisa Fortier is playing a much smarter game. You might expect a program moving into a harder conference to chase quick fixes, but the Gonzaga Women are sticking to their roots. The formula has always been simple: sign high school players and develop them into superstars. This philosophy led the 2023-24 team to a record-breaking 32-4 season, and Fortier isn’t about to abandon it now.
The Pac-12 Conference will be a testing ground for this developmental model. Fortier admits that the portal has made the current landscape feel “discombobulated.” She wants to avoid the constant reorganization that plagues other teams. By focusing on multi-year development, she ensures that when the Zags step onto the court, they have a level of chemistry that money can’t buy. This stability will be crucial when they face teams like Washington State, who are returning nearly their entire starting lineup.
You have to appreciate the boldness of this approach. In an era where college sports feels like a revolving door, Gonzaga is building a fortress. The recent changes in NCAA eligibility rules mean that Fortier will have 11 of her 12 players eligible for an additional year. This “grandfathered” status gives her a massive advantage in continuity. While other teams are teaching new players the plays, the Gonzaga Women will be perfecting their execution.
Recruiting the Future Stars
The crown jewel of the upcoming recruiting class is undoubtedly Alyah Cornwall. The 5-foot-8 point guard from Gonzaga Prep is exactly what this team needs as they enter a tougher league. She is described as a “pass-first, score-second” player with a quarterback mindset. Last season, she averaged a staggering 17.9 points and 9.9 rebounds, proving she can dominate every facet of the game. For more news on rising stars and their impact, check out bright celebrity stories that highlight the next generation of athletes.
Analyzing the Brutal Competition
The depth of this new conference is revealed through the NET rankings, which serve as the primary metric for NCAA selection committees. Based on the 2025-26 final numbers, the new Pac-12 is significantly more competitive than the WCC ever was. The Gonzaga Women finished with a NET of 62, putting them in a tight pack with SDSU and Colorado State. This means every conference game will have massive implications for their tournament seeding.
Last year, the Zags were often penalized in the rankings because their WCC opponents had such low NET scores. In the Pac-12, even the middle-tier teams like Boise State carry enough weight to boost Gonzaga’s resume. However, the bottom of the league still presents some traps. Teams like Utah State and Texas State are under new leadership and will be looking to pull off the ultimate upset against the Zags to put their programs on the map.
You also have to consider the familiarity factor. Gonzaga has played Colorado State multiple times recently and has struggled against their physical style of play. Losing in overtime two years ago and falling at home last year shows that the Zags haven’t quite figured out how to handle the Rams’ defensive schemes. In a 16-game conference schedule, these tactical battles will become the defining story of the season.
Key Returning Players to Watch
- Taylor Smith: A senior leader expected to anchor the defense in high-pressure games.
- Zeryhia Aokuso: The explosive guard who can create her own shot when the offense stalls.
- McKynnlie Dalan: A versatile forward whose length will be vital against bigger Pac-12 wings.
- Lauren Whittaker: The only player without extra eligibility, making her senior season a “now or never” campaign.
Data Breakdown of the 2026 Season
The statistical leap from the WCC to the Pac-12 is startling when you look at the numbers. The average NET ranking of a Pac-12 opponent is nearly 100 spots higher than the average WCC opponent. This means the Gonzaga Women can no longer rely on resting their starters in the fourth quarter. You will see higher intensity and closer final scores throughout the winter months.
| Team Name | Final NET 2026 | 2026 Record | Starters Returning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gonzaga | 62 | 24-10 | 4 |
| SDSU | 66 | 27-6 | 4 |
| Colorado State | 67 | 27-8 | 3 |
| Oregon State | 85 | 23-12 | 3 |
| Boise State | 120 | 25-9 | 5 |
Record Breaking Milestones on Horizon
While the conference move dominates the headlines, Lisa Fortier is quietly chasing immortality. She already tied Kim Mulkey as the fastest coach to reach 300 wins. Now, she is just four victories away from passing Kelly Graves to become the all-time winningest coach in Gonzaga history. This milestone isn’t just about a number; it is a testament to the culture she has built with her husband Craig Fortier and assistants Stacy Clinesmith and Jordan Green.
The nonconference schedule is designed to get her those four wins quickly, but it won’t be a cakewalk. The Zags open against North Dakota State on November 2, the earliest possible date for college basketball. From there, they head to a high-stakes tournament in Hawaii to face Cal and a neutral-court clash with Michigan State in Palm Springs. If the Gonzaga Women can navigate this minefield, Fortier will likely break the record before the calendar turns to January.
You are seeing a coach who genuinely cares more about the weddings and lives of her players than the trophies on her shelf. But don’t let that warmth fool you—Fortier is as competitive as they come. She is ready to take what they have built and propel it to the next level. The Pac-12 is just the stage she needs to prove that Gonzaga Women basketball isn’t just a mid-major success story; it is a national powerhouse that can win anywhere, against anyone.
Final Verdict on Gonzaga Women
As the 2026-27 season approaches, the pressure on the Gonzaga Women is immense. They are entering a conference that demands perfection every single week. With a roster filled with veteran talent and a legendary coach at the helm, the Zags have all the tools necessary to thrive. However, the road will be paved with challenges from Colorado State and San Diego State that they haven’t faced consistently in the past.
Will the Gonzaga Women maintain their championship standard in the Pac-12? The data says yes, but the physical reality of the schedule will be the true test. You should expect a few bumps in the road as they adjust to the travel and the increased physicality. But if history is any indication, Lisa Fortier will have her team peaking just in time for the NCAA Tournament. The Zags are no longer the big fish in a small pond—they are sharks in the ocean, and they are ready to hunt.
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