UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma voiced significant frustrations on Saturday morning regarding the current format of the NCAA Tournament for the women's bracket, particularly the two-site regional setup introduced in 2023. This format was designed to boost attendance, and it has succeeded in that regard: average attendance rose to over 10,000 in 2023 with a total of 85,000 fans and increased further to a record high of more than 12,000 in 2024. However, Auriemma and others involved in the sport have pointed out that the format's logistics and scheduling challenges have created problems that detract from the quality and flow of the tournament experience.
The two-site regional format consolidates eight teams per region into a single arena over a weekend. While this has helped drive fan interest and attendance, it also means that multiple teams must share limited court time for pre-game activities. Auriemma highlighted the difficulties this creates, noting that teams receive significantly less time on the official game court before their games than usual. This compressed schedule disrupts the normal routine and preparation for players and coaches alike.
Auriemma provided specific examples of the scheduling issues. He said that his team's shootaround on Friday was scheduled for 6:20 a.m. and lasted only about half an hour. Meanwhile, on Saturday morning, Notre Dame had to leave early after completing their media obligations and would not be able to practice on the court until 5:30 p.m. that evening. UConn's own practice time was scheduled for 6:30 p.m. This kind of staggered and limited access to the court, Auriemma argued, interferes with the teams' ability to prepare properly for crucial tournament games.
In addition to scheduling frustrations, Auriemma criticized the NCAA's decision to use new equipment-fresh rims and basketballs taken straight out of the box-during the second weekend of the tournament. He questioned whether those responsible for the decision consult coaches and players about what is practical or normal in regular-season play. According to Auriemma, the unfamiliarity with brand-new equipment negatively impacts players' ability to dribble consistently and make shots, particularly from beyond the three-point line.
He cited statistics from Friday's Sweet 16 games to illustrate his point. Six teams combined for very low three-point shooting percentages: UConn (4-for-20), North Carolina (4-for-22), Notre Dame (1-for-17), Vanderbilt (5-for-18), UCLA (4-for-16), and Duke (7-for-26). On Saturday morning, Michigan and Louisville also struggled from three-point range, combining to shoot just 7-of-27 in their Sweet 16 matchup, which Michigan won 71-52. Considering Louisville had a season average of 34 percent from three, and Michigan 33.7 percent, these numbers suggested an unusual dip in shooting success.
Auriemma bluntly expressed his dissatisfaction with the quality of play under these conditions, saying, "How many arenas are we going to sell out with that bulls-?" He elaborated that new baskets and basketballs cause issues such as players dribbling the ball off their feet, missing layups, and the ball bouncing unpredictably, sometimes even hitting the ceiling. He argued that these conditions do not reflect how basketball is typically played and disrupt the rhythm and skill execution of players.
Not all coaches shared Auriemma's level of frustration about the equipment. Duke coach Kara Lawson, whose No. 3 seed Blue Devils had just edged No. 2 LSU 87-85 thanks to a game-winning three-pointer by guard Ashlon Jackson, acknowledged similar concerns about court availability but took a lighter tone regarding the new balls. Lawson suggested that shootarounds should be limited to a half-hour the day before games and extended to an hour on game day itself, to better replicate normal preparation routines. She admitted that this idea might not be universally popular but insisted it would be a positive change.
Regarding the equipment, Lawson joked that after her team's offensive outburst scoring 87 points-a rarity for them-they might want to keep using those basketballs. "When was the last time we did [score that many points]? We should keep these balls, you think? We don't score like that, normally. Hopefully, we're using these balls tomorrow," she said with a smile, demonstrating a more upbeat perspective on the issue.
UConn senior guard Azzi Fudd also commented on the scheduling challenges, describing the current setup as "not ideal." She noted that early-morning media obligations followed by delayed access to the arena disrupted the routine, but acknowledged that all teams were facing similar difficulties and trying to adapt.
Meanwhile, UCLA coach Cori Close offered a more measured perspective on the two-region format. She admitted that the format presents challenges but emphasized the need to balance factors such as media coverage, player well-being, and the overall quality of basketball. Close explained that she initially supported moving to two regional sites but advocated for ongoing evaluation of the format's efficiency and impact on student-athletes. She suggested that adjustments might be necessary to make the tournament structure more cohesive and better suited to maintaining elite-level play while helping to elevate the sport's profile.
Despite the criticisms, the NCAA had not issued any public response to requests for comment on the conditions of game equipment or scheduling concerns at the time of the report.
In summary, the introduction of the two-site regional format in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament has successfully increased attendance and fan engagement, but it has also generated notable challenges related to scheduling logistics and equipment consistency. Coaches such as Geno Auriemma and Kara Lawson have voiced concerns about limited court access for pre-game practices and shootarounds, which disrupt normal preparation routines. Auriemma also highlighted problems caused by the use of brand-new rims and basketballs, which appear to affect players' shooting and ball-handling performance.
While some coaches have taken a lighter view or expressed a willingness to adapt, others advocate for a careful re-examination of the tournament's structure to better serve the players and the quality of the game. As the women's game continues to grow in popularity and visibility, these discussions underscore the importance of balancing fan experience with the needs of student-athletes and coaches striving to showcase the highest level of basketball.