Women’s basketball has grown exponentially over the years. Starting from the grassroots, female student-athletes have been exposed to an advanced level of basketball with a lot of resources, infrastructure, and proper coaching.
At the helm of this advancement and improvement, there are coaches like Geno Auriemma, Dawn Staley, Kim Mulkey, Vic Schaefer, and many more, who have been devoted to taking women’s basketball to the next level.
So when one of these big names comes out and rants about some serious issues with the setup of the NCAA Tournament, it is important to understand what they are saying. Auriemma recently attended a press conference ahead of his team’s Elite Eight game and sounded off on the problems with women’s basketball.
“I’m going to read you some numbers. Okay, write them down. Four for 20, four for 22, 1 for 17, 5 for 18, 4 for 16, 7 for 26. That’s the three-point shooting yesterday across the country. How many arenas are we going to sell out with that bullsh*t. Now, maybe it’s just a bad day shooting by everybody. These are all teams that average probably 30, over 30 for the season,” Geno Auriemma started.
“Know where our time, our shoot around was yesterday? 6 o’clock in the morning. 6:20 I think for half an hour. Now this morning, I just saw Notre Dame leaving. So they have media this morning. Their practice time is tonight at 5:30. What did you have to ask them this morning that you didn’t ask them last night or us? You know what time our practice time is? 6:30 tonight,” he continued.
Auriemma was not happy with the schedule. He was furious about how these decisions are being made without taking the players and coaches into consideration.
He also complained about the venue system for the NCAA tournament, saying:
“Total attendance yesterday at both places, 18,000. If we had four regions and you got a minimum of 5,000 people, I mean, I went to Western State University. It’s a great university. I think that comes out to 20,000. So, what are we doing here?”
“Do you know when the last time they had a regional in the Northeast? Probably because we were a number two seed and NC State. NC State was a one seed and we had to play in Bridgeport. So there’ll be no more regionals north of I don’t know. I guess there’s one in Philly coming up,” Auriemma said.
“So that’s just a personal pet peeve because we’ve gone to the final four no matter where the regional was. So, it’s kind of but I just don’t understand some of the decisions that are made about our game when we’re trying to grow the goddamn game,” coach Auriemma concluded.
Fans React to Geno Auriemma’s Rant About Serious Issues With the NCAA Tournament
Auriemma also mentioned that he is thrilled to face Notre Dame and complimented how well they are playing right now. He went on to explain the reasoning behind such bad shooting percentages that he shared in his opening statement. He believes that bringing in new baskets and new basketballs has significantly affected the players.
Fans online were on the fence with what Auriemma said. While some understood and backed his take, others just said they were confused.
“Did this guy just blame sub 20% shooting, lack of dribbling and layup skills on rims, new basketballs and practice times?” one fan wondered.
“The biggest problems are secondary markets buying tickets & raising $$$, UConn’s continued dominance…why pay that much to see another blowout. Iowa got huge ratings because they went deep into tournaments with a player like Clark. They weren’t same four teams,” one fan explained.
“I know the rivalry & how some feel because of it, but he’s right. Run it like the Men’s tournament and fix shortcomings with yearly feedback,” one fan suggested.
“Here’s your answer Geno, and you know it, EPSN is the problem. They have screwed up college football not womens basketball. They have fired so many people they can’t cover 4 regional locations anymore. Money, money, money. That’s it,” another fan claimed.
“You don’t think so?? 6:30am shoot around? Brand new balls that have to have sweet 16 printed on them I’m sure! None of it makes sense and supremely flawed,” one fan said.
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