Geno Auriemma claims women's NCAA Tournament format harms the game
- Geno Auriemma voiced frustration over the double-host format of the women's NCAA Tournament.
- UConn is facing a travel burden by playing in Spokane while preparing for potential cross-country travel.
- Auriemma concluded by stating that the new format has negatively impacted the women’s basketball experience.
In the United States, UConn coach Geno Auriemma expressed his discontent with the women's NCAA Tournament format during a press conference before their Sweet 16 game against Oklahoma. This year's tournament featured a regional format that saw the tournament's four regional sites consolidated into just two locations, Spokane, Washington, and Birmingham, Alabama. This is the third consecutive season that UConn faced travel challenges due to the structure, enduring extensive cross-country flights to participate in tournament games. Auriemma highlighted the toll this takes on the athletes, with his team required to wake up unusually early for practices and games, comparing their scheduling to that of men's basketball teams, which typically enjoy more extended breaks between games. Auriemma pointed out that this situation makes it difficult for fans, as 'half the country has no chance to get to a game in person,' while acknowledging the financial interests at play in the women’s tournament compared to the men’s. His remarks reflect a broader frustration within the women's basketball community regarding the perceived inequities in tournament organization and the potential impact on the players' performance and fans' engagement.