UConn's Geno Auriemma blasts NCAA over women's tournament format

The legendary coach ripped the NCAA's decisions on regional sites, new equipment, and the overall player experience.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 9:25pm

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UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma has unleashed a scathing critique of the NCAA's management of the women's tournament, arguing that the governing body's decisions on regional sites, new equipment, and overall player experience are harming the growth of the game. Auriemma, a 12-time national champion, expressed frustration over the two-site regional format, the use of unfamiliar baskets and basketballs, and the limited practice time allotted to teams at the tournament venues.

Why it matters

Auriemma's comments have sparked a wider conversation about the NCAA's commitment to elevating the women's game. As one of the most successful and influential coaches in the sport, his criticisms carry significant weight and raise questions about whether the NCAA is doing enough to provide the same high-quality tournament experience for female student-athletes as their male counterparts.

The details

Auriemma argued that the two-site regional format, which sees eight teams sharing an arena, limits each team's practice time both in the arena and on the floor. He also took issue with the use of "new baskets" and "new basketballs", suggesting these changes have fundamentally altered how the game is supposed to be played during the tournament. "Got people dribbling the ball off their feet. You got people missing layups all over the place," Auriemma said. "You bounce the ball and it goes up to the ceiling. There's just no concept of how basketball is played."

  • Auriemma made his comments on Saturday, March 28, 2026, during the NCAA women's basketball tournament.
  • The NCAA cited its desire to create better atmospheres as the reason for changing the regional format from four sites to two.

The players

Geno Auriemma

The head coach of the UConn women's basketball team, who has led the Huskies to 12 national championships.

Kara Lawson

The head coach of the Duke women's basketball team, who also expressed concerns about the NCAA's tournament format.

David Benedict

The athletic director at the University of Connecticut, who echoed Auriemma's concerns on social media.

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What they’re saying

“Does anybody who makes these decisions ever ask the coaches and the players, 'Hey, does this work? Do you guys do this during the regular season? Is this normal?'”

— Geno Auriemma, Head Coach, UConn Women's Basketball

“I think you should only get a half-hour the day before the game [at the arena] and you should get an hour the day of the game of the shootaround because that's a normal shootaround for us. So on your game day, everybody kind of gets their normal thing.”

— Kara Lawson, Head Coach, Duke Women's Basketball

“The NCAA continues to make decisions that clearly don't represent what's best for the student athletes!”

— David Benedict, Athletic Director, University of Connecticut

What’s next

The NCAA has not yet responded to Auriemma's criticisms, but the issues he raised are likely to remain a point of discussion throughout the remainder of the tournament.

The takeaway

Auriemma's outspoken comments highlight the ongoing challenges the NCAA faces in providing an equitable tournament experience for women's basketball players. As one of the sport's most influential figures, his criticisms carry significant weight and could spur the NCAA to reevaluate its policies and decision-making processes to better support the growth and development of the women's game.