Geno Auriemma airs frustration with NCAA Tournament’s two-site regional format
UConn coach Geno Auriemma had frustrations to air Saturday morning. Most notably, about the two-site regional format in the NCAA Tournament for the women’s bracket. “I just don’t understand some of the decisions that are made about our game when we’re trying to grow the g—— game.
” The format, introduced in 2023, was implemented to increase attendance, which it did with average attendance topping 10,000 in 2023 and a total of 85,000 fans. It then rose to a record high of over 12,000 in 2024. But stacking eight teams per region into one arena and one schedule for an entire weekend has created logistical and scheduling issues that have irritated the 12-time national champion coach and others around the sport.
Having so many different teams sharing the same arena naturally condenses the amount of time teams gets on the official court prior to the night’s games. It’s a diversion from the normal flow of pre-game activity for the sites, which was another point of contention for Auriemma. “Know what time our shootaround was yesterday?
” Auriemma asked. “(It was) 6:20, I think, for half an hour. This morning, I just saw Notre Dame leaving, so they had media this morning.
Their practice time is tonight at 5:30. … You know what time our practice time is? 6:30 tonight.
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