Geno takes aim at NCAA tournament setup, prep
Why it matters: Top coaches are clashing with the NCAA over tournament logistics, impacting player experience and the sport's future.
- Geno Auriemma, a 12-time national champion, ripped the NCAA for decisions regarding the women's basketball tournament, specifically the two-site regional format and the use of un-broken-in equipment.
- Auriemma highlighted that the current format, with eight teams sharing one arena, drastically reduces practice and shootaround time for teams, citing his team's 30-minute shootaround at 6:20 AM.
- Duke coach Kara Lawson echoed Auriemma's concerns, advocating for longer shootaround times in the game venue, suggesting an hour on game day for a normal routine.
- The NCAA, through Lynn Holzman, maintains that the two-site regional format, guaranteed for at least five more seasons, has successfully increased attendance, outweighing the negatives for now.
- Auriemma questioned the NCAA's attendance claims, noting that neither the Fort Worth nor Sacramento regionals neared a sellout, despite the NCAA's goal of creating a better atmosphere.
UConn coach Geno Auriemma fiercely criticized the NCAA's women's basketball tournament setup, particularly the two-site regional format and inadequate practice facilities, arguing it hinders the sport's growth. While the NCAA defends the format for boosting attendance, coaches like Auriemma and Duke's Kara Lawson contend that reduced court time and unfamiliar equipment negatively impact player preparation for crucial games.
