UConn head coach Geno Auriemma has raised fresh concerns about the NCAA women’s tournament setup, focusing on the two-site regional format, limited arena access, and the use of new equipment at the biggest stage of the season. His comments came after UConn advanced to the Elite Eight with a 63-42 win over North Carolina and before a matchup with Notre Dame in Fort Worth, Texas.
Auriemma said the NCAA needs to ask coaches and players whether the current setup actually helps the sport grow, pointing to shortened shootarounds, unfamiliar baskets, and practice windows that he believes do not reflect normal game conditions. “I just don’t understand some of the decisions that are made about our game when we’re trying to grow the goddamn game,” he said.
Auriemma Pushes Back on Tournament Logistics
The longtime UConn coach has criticized the move from four regional sites to two since the policy began in 2023. Under the current format, eight teams share one arena, which reduces team access to the game court and limits time for preparations that usually matter in March.
Auriemma said UConn’s Friday shootaround did not take place at Dickies Arena, and he questioned why teams are given such tight schedules in a tournament setting. He also argued that new baskets and new balls can affect shooting and ball handling, especially when teams are expected to perform at a high level right away.
Key Issues Raised Around the Women’s Tournament
- Limited practice time at the arena.
- Short shootaround windows before games.
- New rims, basketballs, and uneven game feel.
- Reduced regional site access for fans and teams.
- Lack of direct coach and player input in setup decisions.
Auriemma said the NCAA’s current model appears disconnected from how basketball is played during the regular season. He also said the organization should be open to changes if a system does not work as intended.
Attendance Gains vs. Competitive Concerns
The NCAA has defended the two-site model by saying it has helped produce stronger atmospheres and the highest attendance in tournament history. NCAA vice president for women’s basketball Lynn Holzman told ESPN that the organization believes the benefits currently outweigh the drawbacks.
Auriemma disagreed with that reading, noting that overall attendance in both regionals on Friday reached 18,000, but neither site was close to a sellout. He has argued that more regional sites would better spread access across the country and make the tournament easier for more fans to attend.
Coaches and Players Note the Same Problems
Duke coach Kara Lawson also said longer shootarounds would better match normal preparation routines. She said teams need more time at the venue, especially for games that carry so much weight in the NCAA tournament.
UConn players echoed some of the same concerns, while also stressing that the format is not an excuse. Senior guard Azzi Fudd said the schedule and the delayed arena access are “not ideal,” but added that every team is dealing with the same conditions.
Junior guard Ashlynn Shade also said the new gym, new balls, and limited time on the floor can be frustrating. Notre Dame star Hannah Hidalgo made a similar point after her team’s game, saying the rims felt “definitely a little tight and new” after her team struggled from 3-point range.
What the Numbers and Quotes Show
| Topic | Detail |
|---|---|
| UConn’s Sweet 16 shooting | 4-for-20 from 3 |
| North Carolina’s 3-point shooting | 4-for-22 |
| Notre Dame’s 3-point shooting | 1-for-17 |
| Vanderbilt’s 3-point shooting | 5-for-18 |
| UCLA’s 3-point shooting | 4-for-16 |
| Duke’s 3-point shooting | 7-for-26 |
Auriemma cited those numbers as evidence that unfamiliar rims and fresh equipment may be affecting shooting across multiple teams. He said he is not claiming to have all the answers, but he believes the NCAA should be more willing to examine whether the current tournament format serves the women’s game in the best way.
UConn athletic director David Benedict backed Auriemma publicly, writing on X that the NCAA continues to make decisions that do not reflect what is best for student-athletes. Cori Close of UCLA said she once supported the two-regional approach, but now sees a need to review whether the setup still serves the sport efficiently.
The NCAA has already committed to the two-site format for several more seasons, which means the debate over preparation, atmosphere, and fairness is likely to continue even as the tournament moves deeper into the bracket.
