Geno Auriemma Criticizes NCAA Tournament Double-Regional Format
Connecticut women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma expressed strong criticism regarding the NCAA tournament’s double-regional format. This format, implemented for the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight in 2023, condenses games to just two sites, contrasting the men’s four-site setup.
Concerns Over Shooting Conditions
Auriemma addressed the media following UConn’s 63-42 victory over North Carolina. He noted the introduction of new rims and basketballs, which he believes have negatively impacted shooting performance. During his press conference, he shared dismal shooting statistics from the previous day:
- 4-for-20
- 4-for-22
- 1-for-17
- 5-for-18
- 4-for-16
- 7-for-26
“How many arenas are we gonna sell out with that?” he asked, highlighting the struggles teams faced at the regional games.
Inconvenient Scheduling Issues
Auriemma also criticized the scheduling, noting that it forced teams into inconvenient shootarounds. He shared his own team’s experience of starting practice as early as 6:20 A.M., while also addressing the overlapping practices and media sessions for teams sharing the same facilities.
“Does anybody who makes these decisions ever ask the coaches and the players if this works?” he questioned, emphasizing the need for better planning.
Attendance and Regional Locations
Highlighting attendance concerns, Auriemma pointed out that the two-site setup resulted in only 18,000 fans attending the games. He argued that a four-region format could attract up to 20,000 attendees, adding that there had been fewer regional games held in northern locations.
“There will be no more regionals north of, I don’t know, I guess there’s one in Philly coming up,” he stated, expressing frustration at the decision-making processes affecting the women’s game.
Conclusion: A Call for Reflection
In closing, Auriemma urged for reflection on the decisions impacting women’s basketball, particularly regarding the tournament’s format and conditions. “I just have questions,” he reiterated, pointing towards the need for improvements as the sport continues to grow.
