FORT WORTH — Geno Auriemma, the head coach for UConn’s women’s basketball team, on Saturday reiterated his strong criticism of the NCAA’s selections pertaining to the women’s basketball championship. He expressed, “I simply don’t grasp certain judgments made concerning our sport, particularly when our objective is to expand this very game.”
Auriemma, recognized as a 12-time national champion and the sport’s most successful coach, commenced his press conference the day preceding his squad’s Elite Eight confrontation with Notre Dame, underscoring his discontent regarding the championship’s two-location regional structure. Having initially raised this point on Friday after the Huskies’ 63-42 victory against fourth-seeded North Carolina, he subsequently voiced his alarm that the NCAA introduces brand-new, untried equipment for regional competitions.
“Do any individuals responsible for these rulings ever consult with the coaches and athletes, inquiring, ‘Does this function effectively? Do you all practice this during the routine season? Is this typical?'” Auriemma questioned.
The coach has voiced disapproval of the tournament’s transition from a four-location regional arrangement to a two-location one since its introduction in 2023. This month, the NCAA informed ESPN’s Michael Voepel that this system is assured for a minimum of five additional seasons.
Auriemma has highlighted that when eight teams utilize a single arena, each program ultimately receives reduced practice duration within the venue and on the actual playing court. For instance, the Huskies’ shootaround session yesterday did not take place at Dickies Arena.
“Do you realize when our shootaround occurred yesterday?” Auriemma asked. “At 6:20, I believe, lasting thirty minutes. This morning I observed Notre Dame departing, indicating they had media commitments today. Their allotted practice period is tonight at 5:30. … Are you aware of our designated practice slot? It’s 6:30 tonight.”
Duke’s coach, Kara Lawson, similarly expressed a desire for extended shootaround sessions for teams.
“My view is that teams should only be granted thirty minutes the day prior to the game [at the venue] and an hour on the day of the game for the shootaround, as that constitutes our typical shootaround,” Lawson stated. “This way, on game day, everyone essentially follows their usual routine.
“… Frankly, with two regional sites, I believe the venue situation presents the greatest difficulty. It’s not merely being in the same city. The challenge lies in not receiving adequate practice or shootaround durations within the facility for your season’s most crucial contests.”
The NCAA’s objective in transitioning to a two-regional structure aimed to cultivate an improved ambiance with heightened attendance, and they have claimed this system has attracted the largest spectator figures in the tournament’s history. Lynn Holzman, NCAA vice president for women’s basketball, informed ESPN that the NCAA currently perceives the advantages of this arrangement as surpassing its drawbacks.
Auriemma cited Friday’s attendance, which amounted to 18,000 across both regional locations, despite neither contest in Fort Worth — the regional nearest to the top-seeded Huskies — reaching full capacity, nor did those in Sacramento. The coach has advocated for a greater number of regional venues, not solely to disperse the teams, but also to enhance accessibility for a wider audience in various areas.
His initial remarks on Saturday additionally enumerated six of the 3-point shooting accuracies from the previous day’s Sweet 16 matches: 4 of 20 (UConn), 4 of 22 (North Carolina), 1 of 17 (Notre Dame), 5 of 18 (Vanderbilt), 4 of 16 (UCLA), 7 of 26 (Duke) — which he attributes to teams shooting on entirely new hoops.
“How many venues will we manage to fill with such nonsense?” Auriemma scoffed.
“I believe they introduce novel hoops and fresh basketballs directly from their packaging,” he further elaborated. “Players are fumbling the ball off their feet. Individuals are failing layups extensively. You bounce the ball, and it soars towards the ceiling. There’s simply no comprehension of how basketball ought to be performed.
“It’s not that I possess any solutions. Trust me, I merely hold inquiries.”
To Auriemma, the fundamental issues are his perception that the NCAA fails to adequately factor in coaches’ contributions and that the governing body ought to “provide itself an escape route” should something prove ineffective.
David Benedict, UConn’s athletic director, utilized X to support his coach.
“[The] NCAA persists in making rulings that distinctly do not align with the best interests of the student-athletes!” Benedict stated in a message.
Huskies athletes emphasized that any problems with the arrangement do not serve as a justification for subpar performance, and that every team is contending with the identical peculiarities.
“I would simply state it’s less than perfect,” remarked senior guard Azzi Fudd. “The timetable, rising early for media obligations and subsequently being unable to return to this venue until later, these are minor details. However, everyone is currently attempting to navigate that. Each team is experiencing this. There is no justification for it. So, we will resolve it. We are adapting, but it unquestionably is not the most perfect configuration.”
Junior guard Ashlynn Shade further commented: “I did find it somewhat vexing… it’s an unfamiliar gymnasium, fresh balls, a different environment. It becomes rather irritating when you aren’t afforded ample time [to take a sufficient number of shots on the competition court].”
Before Auriemma’s comments on Saturday, Notre Dame’s standout player Hannah Hidalgo was questioned about whether she had perceived any alteration with the hoops on Friday.
“My goodness. We shot something like 1 of 17 from beyond the arc,” Hidalgo recounted. “We secured the victory, thankfully… The hoops were certainly somewhat rigid and novel.”
Although Irish coach Niele Ivey delivered her address prior to Auriemma, she refrained from offering her perspective on the subject. Auriemma indicated his belief that other coaches share his sentiments.
“I perceive a certain level of discontent,” he expressed. “My hope is that I am articulating the views of other coaches. Some mentors might deem me nonsensical. And this discussion is not centered on UConn. I trust everyone comprehends that. … I believe there exists a degree of vexation among coaches currently that surpasses any period I have ever witnessed.”
Kendra Andrews of ESPN contributed to this account.