Mountain West discussing adding Oregon State and Washington State for basketball

The Mountain West is in discussions with Oregon State and Washington State to join as a basketball member starting in 2024-25.

The Mountain West recently reached a scheduling agreement with the two remaining Pac-12 schools, Oregon State and Washington State, so it is no surprise the parties are now in discussion to work together in basketball as well.

A source told CBS’ Jon Rothstein the Mountain West and Oregon State and Washington State are in discussions to join the league for the 2024-25 college basketball season, which would provide the two programs with a home following the final year of Pac-12 play in 2023-24.

Details are sparse for right now, with Rothstein indicating there is no timetable for an official announcement. Whether this agreement would extend beyond 2024-25, potentially into full membership, is one of many details unknown at the moment – including if other non-revenue generating sports, like baseball, women’s soccer, softball, and tennis – are being discussed.

The Mountain West is certainly a formidable basketball conference, currently boasting five programs in the top 50 of the NET on the men’s side in Colorado State, New Mexico, San Diego State, Utah State, and Nevada, as well as two on the women’s side in UNLV and Colorado State.

Washington State is No. 27 in the NET on the men’s side and No. 28 on the women’s side, as of this writing, making them an appealing addition for the Mountain West.

Oregon State is No. 35 on the women’s side but the men’s team has really struggled the last few years under coach Wayne Tinkle. They are currently 5-3 on the season and ranked 187th in the NET.

Still, adding two well-known brands who are obvious geographic fits will boost the conference’s on-court product and will have a positive impact financially, and represents a soft landing spot for the two programs who were left out to dry by the 10 other Pac-12 programs in this summer’s conference realignment.