The Pac-12’s case for adding San Diego State

Pac-12 expansion is still a massive discussion point. With USC and UCLA leaving next year, something needs to be done quickly.

One program at the forefront for some time has been San Diego State, and with the Aztecs’ improbable run to the Final Four and now the national championship game, those discussions should be even bigger.

There are a lot of reasons why SDSU moving to the Pac-12 makes a lot of sense, and if those reasons weren’t substantial enough already, seeing the Aztecs run through the brackets should be the biggest of them all now.

Let’s dive in for some additional reasons:

PUBLICITY

Feb 21, 2023; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego State Aztecs forward Keshad Johnson (0) gestures during the first half against the Colorado State Rams at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

The Aztecs are all in the eyes of the public now. Yes, they have been well-known in San Diego, but now they are a national story. They have better brand recognition and identity.

INCREASED VALUE

Mar 17, 2022; Fort Worth, TX, USA; San Diego State Aztecs guard Matt Bradley (3) misses a free throw against the Creighton Bluejays during the second half in the first round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports

There is a lot of value to the Aztecs in the two major sports, basketball and football, and a move to the Pac-12 would only improve that aspect of their portfolio.

BASKETBALL ON THE RISE

Mar 26, 2023; Louisville, KY, USA; San Diego State Aztecs head coach Brian Dutcher celebrates the win against Creighton Bluejays at the NCAA Tournament South Regional-Creighton vs San Diego State at KFC YUM! Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

It has been a steady rise, but since Brian Dutcher became head coach, he has 151 wins, multiple NCAA Tournament trips, and now a Final Four and national title game appearance. SDSU could be the next Gonzaga as a result of this catapult moment.

NATIONAL SUCCESS WILL HELP FOOTBALL

Dec 21, 2021; Frisco, TX, USA; San Diego State Aztecs head coach Brady Hoke reacts on the field after winning the game against the UTSA Roadrunners during the 2021 Frisco Bowl at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

As good as basketball has been, the football program has been marked by massive improvement, and the success of the Aztecs should help recruiting matters as well.

NEW STADIUM

Sep 3, 2022; San Diego, California, USA; Arizona Wildcats fans look on from the stands during the second half against the San Diego State Aztecs at Snapdragon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

SnapDragon Stadium belongs to the Aztecs, and the old Qualcomm Stadium is in the rearview mirror. SDSU invested money in on-campus facilities and has everything lined up. It’s not potential; it’s an established reality. The Aztecs were proactive and can now say they have already completed the task of modernizing and developing their football program.

INCREASED ADMISSIONS FROM FINAL FOUR RUN

Mar 24, 2023; Louisville, KY, USA; San Diego State Aztecs players and staff react to defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide in the NCAA tournament round of sixteen at KFC YUM! Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

This always happens, but the Aztecs’ Final Four run should spike admissions to the university. Oh, and the campus is in beautiful San Diego. The Pac-12 needs a Southern California school with USC and UCLA out the door. Increasing admissions at that school should make this move a slam dunk for the conference.

INVESTED COMMUNITY

Mar 26, 2023; Louisville, KY, USA; San Diego State Aztecs forward Keshad Johnson (0) reacts to the win against Creighton Bluejays at the NCAA Tournament South Regional-Creighton vs San Diego State at KFC YUM! Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

Petco Park was full of Padres fans, and they were ecstatic when the Aztecs hit the buzzer-beater to win on Saturday. The appetite for sports success in San Diego is huge. Get on board this train, Pac-12.

ALUMNI NETWORKING

Mar 24, 2023; Louisville, KY, USA; San Diego State Aztecs forward Jaedon LeDee (13) dunks during the second half of the NCAA tournament round of sixteen against the Alabama Crimson Tide at KFC YUM! Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

The Aztecs’ alumni base is a big one, and a ton of former players, coaches, and the like made their way to Houston for the Final Four. The alumni group will play a major role, and it would love to have a chance to network at Pac-12 games against Stanford and Cal-Berkeley and Arizona State.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FOOTPRINT

Dec 21, 2021; Frisco, TX, USA; San Diego State Aztecs players celebrate after winning the game against the UTSA Roadrunners during the 2021 Frisco Bowl at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

The Aztecs have been able to recruit pretty well locally, and with the success of football and basketball, that will help a lot for the Pac-12.

AZTECS PROVED THEY BELONG

Apr 1, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; San Diego State Aztecs guard Lamont Butler (5) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game-winning basket over Florida Atlantic Owls in the semifinals of the Final Four of the 2023 NCAA Tournament at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Yes, the Aztecs beat Charleston and Furman in the first two rounds, although Charleston was a 30-win program. Many thought those first two games were an easy path, but there’s no easy path in the Field of 68. The Aztecs then beat top overall seed Alabama, a difficult Creighton team, and a 35-win Florida Atlantic team. They belong on the big stage in revenue sports.

Story originally appeared on Trojans Wire