(By GARY B. GRAVES AP Sports Writer) – Staging the women’s NCAA Tournament in one place has led Iowa coach Lisa Bluder to ponder if a permanent neutral site is the way to go for the sport. Coronavirus concerns and precautions have led to the entire women’s tournament to be played this month around the San Antonio area.

Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder gives instruction to Iowa guard Caitlin Clark (22), during the second half of a college basketball game in the second round of the women’s NCAA tournament at the Greehey Arena in San Antonio, Texas, Tuesday, March 23, 2021. Iowa defeated Kentucky 86-72. (AP Photo/Ronald Cortes)

Bluder saw how the previous format of on-campus games worked for her program but acknowledged it gave her a team a competitive advantage. She believes the neutral site idea is working this year, but Baylor coach Kim Mulkey and UConn’s Geno Auriemma remember the days of little to no crowds and aren’t so sure a permanent change is the best opion.