UConn coach Geno Auriemma criticizes NCAA scheduling in women's basketball tournament

UConn women's basketball head coach Geno Auriemma expressed frustration with the NCAA's Division I women's tournament format following his team's 82-52 win over Duke in the Sweet 16 round of the West Regional on March 29, 2024, at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.[1][2]

The 70-year-old Auriemma, who has led UConn to 11 NCAA championships since taking over in 1985, questioned whether tournament organizers consult coaches and players before implementing scheduling changes.[3][1] He highlighted issues with shootaround and practice times due to eight teams sharing each regional arena.

Auriemma opened his postgame news conference by noting poor 3-point shooting performances from Sweet 16 games in the Portland regional: UConn 3-for-14, Duke 7-for-26, UCLA 4-for-16, LSU 10-for-22, USC 8-for-21 and Oregon State 5-for-20.[1][2]

"Know what time our shootaround was yesterday? Six twenty [a.m.], I think, for half an hour," Auriemma said. "This morning I just saw [Oregon State] 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."[1][2]

He also pointed to new equipment at the venue as contributing to sloppy play, including missed layups and errant dribbles. "Does anybody who makes these decisions ever ask the coaches and the players, 'Hey, does this work?'" Auriemma added.[1]

The NCAA has reported record attendance since recent format adjustments aimed at boosting crowds, with vice president for women's basketball Lynn Holzman telling ESPN that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.[2]

UConn, the No. 1 seed in the West Regional with a 33-3 record, advanced to the Elite Eight against No. 1 seed USC on March 31, 2024, at 7 p.m. ET in Portland.[4]