Gonzaga Basketball Named Pac-12 Favorite
The Bulldogs enter the season projected as the highest-rated team in the newly expanded Pac-12 conference.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Basketball
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Analytics expert Bart Torvik has projected Gonzaga as the top-rated team in the new Pac-12 conference. The Bulldogs head into the season ranked No. 46 overall while returning a vast majority of their roster and scoring production.
Why it matters
Gonzaga establishes itself as a conference frontrunner by retaining nearly its entire core from last season. This continuity provides the program a strategic advantage as it navigates the transition into a new Pac-12 landscape.
Gonzaga retains 95.4% of its scoring, 95.9% of its rebounding, and 94.4% of total minutes from the previous season. Lauren Whittaker returns with a 58.4% two-point field goal percentage, while Allie Turner brings a 47.1% three-point shooting clip.
The players
Bart Torvik
He is an analytics expert known for creating basketball efficiency rankings and predictive modeling.
Lauren Whittaker
She is a key returning player for Gonzaga who averaged 19.1 points and 10.2 rebounds per game last season.
Allie Turner
She is a standout perimeter threat for the Bulldogs who averaged 14.8 points and 3.5 assists last season.
Ines Bettencourt
She is a student-athlete who remains eligible to participate after a court-ordered stay regarding her status.
The details
The program successfully retained 11 players from last year, with only Sierra Lichtie, Paige Lofing, and Vera Gunaydin departing the roster. Additionally, Ines Bettencourt has been cleared to play following the granting of a temporary restraining order in California.
Timeline
October 2, 2026: Exhibition game held against Westmont College.
October 10, 2026: FanFest scheduled at McCarthey Athletic Center.
November 2, 2026: Regular-season opener versus North Dakota State.
Season Trajectory
Gonzaga occupies the top spot in projections during a season defined by the Pac-12 conference expansion. This positioning sets high expectations for the Bulldogs to secure a dominant standing within the new league format.
With 95.4% of scoring returning, Gonzaga maintains a high level of roster continuity that provides a clear baseline for performance expectations. The return of Lauren Whittaker, a favorite for conference player of the year, significantly impacts the team's offensive efficiency metrics.
The takeaway
Maintaining roster stability often acts as a primary indicator for early-season success in collegiate basketball. Fans should watch how Gonzaga's veteran core performs in high-pressure matchups during the early non-conference schedule.
What happens next
The Bulldogs are scheduled to play their regular-season opener against North Dakota State on November 2, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on the upcoming season, visit the Basketball page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sports Illustrated.
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