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4w ago

Geno Auriemma and Kim Mulkey Condemn NCAA's Two-Host Regional Format

As the NCAA women's basketball tournament enters the Elite Eight, criticism intensifies over the logistical and accessibility challenges posed by the two-host regional system.

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UConn head coach Geno Auriemma watches play during the second half against Arkansas State in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Storrs, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
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Overview

  • UConn coach Geno Auriemma criticized the two-host regional format, calling it detrimental to the game and highlighting its logistical burdens on teams and players.
  • LSU coach Kim Mulkey echoed Auriemma's concerns, emphasizing how the system limits fan accessibility and impacts program development.
  • The two-host regional system, introduced in 2023, consolidates four regional sites into two, with this year's games in Spokane, Washington, and Birmingham, Alabama.
  • Critics argue the compressed schedule, early practice times, and cross-country travel to the Final Four in Tampa strain players and reduce preparation time compared to the men's tournament format.
  • Despite widespread criticism, the NCAA has committed to this system through 2028, citing goals of boosting attendance and streamlining operations.