Conference realignment may have changed college sports, but Bedlam basketball still deserves a place on the schedule. I think Oklahoma City has become the perfect home for the rivalry, giving both fan bases a neutral stage while keeping one of the state's best traditions alive.
Where should Bedlam basketball be played every year?
Conference realignment changed a lot about college athletics.
It broke up rivalries, reshaped schedules and forced longtime opponents into different conferences.
One tradition that deserves to survive is Bedlam basketball.
That's why I love Oklahoma State and Oklahoma continuing their rivalry in Oklahoma City. The neutral-site doubleheader has quickly become one of the best ideas either school has embraced since realignment, and I hope it remains a fixture for years to come.
A Neutral Court Just Makes Sense
No one can complain about home-court advantage.
No one has to make the trip to Stillwater or Norman.
Instead, both fan bases meet in the middle.
That's exactly what a rivalry like Bedlam should be.
Oklahoma City isn't just a convenient location—it's the state's basketball hub. It gives fans from across Oklahoma an opportunity to experience one of the state's biggest rivalries without either school feeling like the host.
That creates a different atmosphere.
Instead of feeling like another road game, it feels like a statewide event.
The Doubleheader Is a Win for Everyone
One of my favorite parts of this event is the format itself.
One ticket gets fans both the men's and women's games.
That's a tremendous value for fans, but it's also a great way to showcase both programs on the same stage.
Too often, the women's game gets separated from marquee events.
This format gives both rivalries the spotlight they deserve while creating a full day of basketball for fans.
It's one of those ideas that's so simple you wonder why it wasn't done years ago.
Don't Let Realignment Kill Great Rivalries
Conference realignment has already taken enough from college sports.
Traditional rivalries have disappeared all across the country because schools no longer share the same conference.
That doesn't mean they should stop playing each other.
Some games matter because of standings.
Others matter because of history.
Bedlam falls squarely into the second category.
Whether Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are conference opponents or not, fans still care.
Players still care.
The atmosphere still feels different.
That's exactly why the rivalry should continue every single year.
This Is Good for College Basketball in Oklahoma
Games like this do more than fill a schedule.
They generate excitement months before conference play begins.
They create storylines.
They attract casual fans who might not normally tune in during December.
Most importantly, they remind everyone that college basketball in Oklahoma is bigger than conference affiliations.
The logo on the schedule may have changed.
The rivalry hasn't.
Final Thoughts
Not every rivalry needs to be played on campus.
Some are actually better on a neutral floor.
Oklahoma City has become the perfect meeting place for Bedlam basketball, giving both fan bases an equal stage while keeping one of the state's best traditions alive.
Realignment changed where Oklahoma State and Oklahoma compete.
It shouldn't change whether they compete.
Some rivalries belong in a home arena.
Bedlam basketball belongs in Oklahoma City.
