The Sooners took on not only the defending national champs but also 7,500 Boilermaker faithful. It didn't seem like a fair fight, and in most instances, it isn't. The system favors many of the same schools year after year. The Connecticuts and the Tennessees repeatedly receive top seeds, play two games at home, advance to the Sweet 16, gain exposure, land the best recruits, receive top seeds and so on. The cycle is rarely broken.
Neutral sites are the only remedy.
Coale advocates the change. Just not yet. While home sites do not benefit every program, Coale believes they benefit the game. Coaches from around the Big 12 agree. I wish we were, but I think most of us would rather have crowds and an atmosphere that's conducive to high-level basketball than to go to predetermined sites.