Over the last three years, women’s basketball has gone through a change in format during the March Madness. NCAA created a super regional bid, in which the traditional four region setup is cut down into two, forcing teams to travel thousands of miles to play their Tournament games. Juggernauts and power houses like LSU and UConn have spoken out against this system, with Kim Mulkey and Geno Auriemma making brave statements against the NCAA.
Kim Mulkey, in particular, was quite outspoken about the system causing coaches to ‘sell their soul too early’. The move has made it impossible for student supporters to watch games in person, and that has made all the legendary coaches quite upset.
Recently, however, UConn head coach Geno Auriemma doubled down on his criticism of the system. After trouncing UCLA in the Final Four, coach Geno discussed this problem with the media. “You know why they have two regionals? So they can cut cost.” The legendary coach said, giving a possible explanation for the changes. “They wanna do it on the championship and then say how much money we’re making. Isn’t the NCAA great? Look at the new TV package we got…yeah, cause we’re shortchanging the kids.”
UConn’s Geno Auriemma ripped into the NCAA’s two regional format tonight following his team’s win against UCLA.
No Cap Space’s full clip: https://t.co/RD1webNIeU pic.twitter.com/BxcpmMKjus
— No Cap Space WBB (@NoCapSpaceWBB) April 5, 2025
According to all of these coaches, having a playoff tournament that isn’t accessible to a majority of the general public does not make sense. LSU in particular had to fly over 2000 miles before the Elite Eight matchup with UCLA. Their elimination certainly made the travel easier as they would’ve needed to fly across the country all over again.
These remarks aren’t the first time that the UConn head coach criticized this system, however. For the last few years, he has been quite vocal about his dislike of the two-regional system. However, his criticism this time has focused more on the decision-maker rather than the decisions!
Geno Auriemma frustrated with lack of experienced decision-makers in women’s basketball
“There’s a lot of people in the women’s basketball community that think they’re smarter than [the men’s game].” When coach Geno said this last week, he created quite a stir! The Huskies head coach has done nothing to hide his opinion on the regional setup in women’s basketball. And he placed an emphasis on this planning again after UConn’s Final Four victory.
The difference between men’s and women’s schedules are quite tangible. But what did Auriemma have to say about this? “You have really true basketball people making basketball decisions on the men’s side.” He said, commending the way that the men’s NCAA Tournament is held.
UNCASVILLE, CT – MARCH 06: UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma speaks with UConn Huskies guard Azzi Fudd 35 during the Big East Women s Basketball Tournament championship game between Villanova Wildcats and UConn Huskies on March 6, 2023, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire COLLEGE BASKETBALL: MAR 06 WomenÕs Big East Tournament – Villanova vs UConn Icon23030674
However, it’s not easy to tell the difference according to him. “And the only people that know that are schools that have been to multiple men’s and women’s Final Fours who can sit there and list for you the differences.” Which, quite frankly, is fair. Geno Auriemma is the winningest coach in college basketball history, so if he has something to say? Well, we better listen.
Of course, the regional issue is not gonna finish anytime soon. Over the next four years, the venues have already been decided for the women’s championships. However, it is important to receive and acknowledge the feedback that legends like Auriemma and Mulkey are providing. All eyes are on coach Geno’s team, however, as they face off against Dawn Staley and the South Carolina Gamecocks. There’s a lot on the line for both coaches, and we can’t wait to see what happens!
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