Coale believed two factors gave OU the nod.

One was a strong schedule that included Maryland, Tennessee, Michigan State, Illinois, Tulsa, South Carolina and Georgia, as well a the Big 12, which advanced eight teams (tied for most with the 16-team Big East) into the NCAA Tournament.

The other was OU's fans, because "regardless of who we're playing or when we're playing," Coale said, Lloyd Noble Center remains among the most popular women's college basketball venues in the nation.

But if the fans helped give them a chance to come back close to home, it's the Sooners themselves who must do something they haven't done since Feb. 27 just to get there.

Win.