Trending Now - Geno Auriemma Criticizes NCAA for Women's Tournament Structure

WHO:

Fox News Sports - UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma criticized the NCAA.

Newsweek - UConn head coach Geno Auriemma is mentioned as the critic of the NCAA.

WHAT:

AP News - Auriemma stated that the combined attendance at the two venues on March 24th, 2026, was 18,821.

AP News - Auriemma provided specific shooting statistics from March 24th, 2026, stating that teams had shooting percentages of 4 for 20, 4 for 22, 1 for 17, 5 for 17, 4 for 16, and 7 for 26 from three-point range.

AP News - Auriemma mentioned that the UConn Huskies, the defending national champions, have a record of 37-0 and are the overall No. 1 seed in the tournament.

AP News - Auriemma stated that the double-regional format has been in place for four years and is set to continue for at least five more years.

AP News - Auriemma mentioned that the total combined attendance at the two venues on March 24th, 2026, was 18,821.

AP News - Auriemma provided shooting statistics from March 24th, 2026, stating that teams across the country had shooting percentages of 4 for 20, 4 for 22, 1 for 17, 5 for 17, 4 for 16, and 7 for 26 from three-point range.

NY Post - Auriemma referred to the changes in the women's NCAA Tournament as "that bulls–t" during his criticism.

Fox News Sports - Geno Auriemma expressed dissatisfaction with the NCAA's two-site regional format for the women's basketball tournament.

Newsweek - Auriemma criticized various decisions made by the NCAA regarding the women's basketball tournament.

Reddit Sports - Auriemma specifically took aim at the NCAA's double-regional format in March Madness.

WHERE:

Fox News Sports - The criticism pertains to the NCAA's handling of the women's basketball tournament, which is a national event.

WHEN:

Fox News Sports - The comments were made in March 2026, during the NCAA women's basketball tournament.

WHY:

AP News - Auriemma expressed frustration over the lack of input from coaches regarding tournament decisions, stating, "Hopefully I’m speaking for the other coaches. Some coaches might think I’m full of it."

Fox News Sports - Auriemma stated that poor shootaround times and new equipment negatively impacted the quality of play in the tournament.

HOW:

AP News - Auriemma criticized the use of new rims and new basketballs during the NCAA Tournament, stating, "It’s hard to make shots in the postseason. They just break out these new baskets, new rims, and then it gets in the kids’ heads."

Fox News Sports - Auriemma's criticism focused on the logistical issues related to the tournament format, including the scheduling of shootaround times.

(UPDATED March 29, 2026 05:29 UTC)

UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma announced that the combined attendance at two venues on Tuesday was 18,821, while also sharing that his team, the defending national champions, holds an impressive record of 37 wins and no losses as the overall No. 1 seed in the tournament. He expressed frustration over the lack of input from coaches on tournament decisions, saying, "Hopefully I’m speaking for the other coaches. Some coaches might think I’m full of it." Auriemma also criticized the use of new rims and basketballs during the NCAA Tournament, explaining that it makes it difficult for players to make shots when they are dealing with unfamiliar equipment.

(UPDATED March 29, 2026 03:52 UTC)

Auriemma announced that the double-regional format will continue for at least five more years, following its implementation four years ago. on Tuesday, the total combined attendance at the two venues reached 18,821, while shooting statistics revealed teams struggled from three-point range with percentages like 4 for 20 and 1 for 17. Expressing frustration over tournament decisions, Auriemma criticized the introduction of new rims and basketballs, saying it complicates shooting for players during the postseason.

(UPDATED March 29, 2026 01:19 UTC)

On Tuesday, Auriemma expressed his frustration with the changes in the women's NCAA Tournament, calling them "that bulls–t." His comments were reported by the New York Post at 23:02 UTC. This criticism highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the tournament's format and structure.

(UPDATED March 28, 2026 23:02 UTC)

UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma has publicly criticized the NCAA's two-site regional format for the women's basketball tournament, expressing concerns about how it affects the quality of play. He highlighted issues such as poor shootaround times and new equipment that he believes are detrimental to the athletes' performance. Auriemma's comments came during the ongoing NCAA women's basketball tournament in March 20th26, as he addressed various logistical challenges associated with the tournament's setup.