UConn’s Geno Auriemma blasts NCAA for tournament format: ‘I just don’t understand’
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UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma has put the NCAA first.
The 72-year-old coach acknowledged the NCAA did not consult with players or coaches before making changes to the tournament format.
The NCAA moved from a four-field to a two-field facility in 2023, which Auriemma said created problems with shooting times and quality of play.
“I don’t understand some of the decisions that are being made about our game when we’re trying to grow a god— game,” Auriemma said at a press conference Saturday.
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UConn head coach Geno Auriemma looks on late in the second half of the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 game against North Carolina in Fort Worth, Texas, March 27, 2026. (LM Otero/AP Photo)
“Does anyone who makes these decisions ask the coaches and players, ‘Hey, is this working? Are you doing this in the regular season? Is this normal?’
Auriemma opened his press conference by listing some of the teams’ worst 3-point shooting numbers in Friday’s Sweet 16 games: 4 of 20 (UConn), 4 of 22 (North Carolina), 1 of 17 (Notre Dame), 5 of 18 (Vanderbilt), 4 of 16 (UCLA) and Duke (76) (26).
The legendary coach lamented the timing and length of the UConn firing.
“Do you know when our gun was fired yesterday?” Auriemma said. “Twenty six (a.m. ET), I think, half an hour. This morning, I just saw Notre Dame go, so they had the media this morning. Their practice time is tonight at 5:30. … You know when our practice time is? 6:30 today.”
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UConn head coach Geno Auriemma reacts during the first half of the Sweet 16 game of the NCAA Tournament against North Carolina in Fort Worth, Texas, March 27, 2026. (Julio Cortez/AP Photo)
With eight teams sharing the field, there is little practice time for each team. Auriemma also suggested that the equipment being used is causing a decrease in the level of play.
“I think they bring new baskets, new basketballs out of the box,” Auriemma said.
“You’ve got people dribbling the ball to their feet. You’ve got people missing layups all over the place. You ride the ball, and it goes up to the ceiling. No idea how to play basketball.”
The 12-time national championship winning coach said the teams may have had a bad shooting day, but all of their shooting numbers were well below what they have been all season.
“How many stadiums are we going to sell for these bulls—?” Auriemma said.
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UConn head coach Geno Auriemma reacts during the first half of the Sweet 16 game of the NCAA Tournament against North Carolina in Fort Worth, Texas, March 27, 2026. (Julio Cortez/AP Photo)
The NCAA’s goal in switching to a two-region format was to motivate attendance, and it told ESPN that it has drawn the highest numbers in the tournament’s history since its inception. Lynn Holzman, the NCAA’s vice president of women’s basketball, told ESPN that the pros outweigh the cons.
Auriemma said he doesn’t have the right answers, just questions.
The respected coach will look to lead his top-ranked, undefeated squad (37-0) to victory in the Elite 8 against No. 6 Notre Dame on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
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