atmosphere. I think due to the nature of it being a neutral site game. The stadium was mostly filled (AZ's lower bowl section was mostly empty during the BYU game), but it seemed like there wasn't a lot of crowd engagement or crowd energy. A big part of our section (behind one of the baskets) could hear the local NYC bball loudmouths sitting a row or two behind me with their loud comments throughout game and trying to be comedians. (Those loudmouths were very complimentary of Richie, and were perplexed why KY wasn't playing Demin more minutes if Demin is supposed to be a first round pick.)

The crowd energy really picked up during the Duke game. Then I realized that the majority of the blue shirts around the arena were Duke fans. The crowd was loud and into the Duke-AZ game.

So BYU has their best season in 10+ years, and their reward is to go play a neutral site game on other side of the country where the crowd isn't really into it.

Of course BYU being blown out didn't help, but that game would have been so much more interesting from a fan energy level if played in Provo or in Alabama.

I get that that is the NCAA setup and its supposed to favor the one seeds.

Although march madness with the bracket is fun, NBA postseason played on home courts has far superior in-game sporting atmospheres with fan engagement.

March Madness bracket is a big part of the appeal of NCAA, but I wonder if that format is really as sacred of a format as the fans sometimes make it out to be.

The atmospheres would be better if at least some of the NCAA tournament games were played on home courts. Perhaps they could even have some of the final rounds be a three game series with a home and home and then a third game neutral site if necessary.