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Women's NCAA Tourney Expansion

So, it has been announced that the NCAA women’s basketball tournament will be expanded by four teams to now match the men’s 68 team field. I bring this up only because of the comments made by the UConn basketball coach. I was a bit surprised at his comments but they certainly carry weight coming from such a successful Coach in a women’s sport. Those of you who have argued that it’s better to have a small school in the women’s hockey tournament via an autobid rather than a better team that didn’t win its conference will like what Auriemma has to say.

“UConn women's coach Geno Auriemma said he thinks the move to 68 is primarily "because the men do it." But he added that if it means more mid-major and small-conference schools have a chance to make the women's NCAA tournament field, it could be a positive.

"Then I'm all for it," said Auriemma, whose Huskies play in the Big East. "If it's more about getting the eighth- or ninth-best teams in from the power conferences, I'm not sure why they deserve to play in the NCAA tournament."
 
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Thanks for sharing.
Offsides Guy said:
"If it's more about getting the eighth- or ninth-best teams in from the power conferences, I'm not sure why they deserve to play in the NCAA tournament."
Click to expand...
It's similar to the seasons where everybody from the SEC advances to the softball tourney. I'm surprised that they don't find a way to get Vandy in there, too.
 
Offsides Guy said:
So, it has been announced that the NCAA women’s basketball tournament will be expanded by four teams to now match the men’s 68 team field. I bring this up only because of the comments made by the UConn basketball coach. I was a bit surprised at his comments but they certainly carry weight coming from such a successful Coach in a women’s sport. Those of you who have argued that it’s better to have a small school in the women’s hockey tournament via an autobid rather than a better team that didn’t win its conference will like what Auriemma has to say.

“UConn women's coach Geno Auriemma said he thinks the move to 68 is primarily "because the men do it." But he added that if it means more mid-major and small-conference schools have a chance to make the women's NCAA tournament field, it could be a positive.

"Then I'm all for it," said Auriemma, whose Huskies play in the Big East. "If it's more about getting the eighth- or ninth-best teams in from the power conferences, I'm not sure why they deserve to play in the NCAA tournament."
Click to expand...

Gino's statement is also relevant to the 2020 women's hockey field. Minnesota was clearly a better team than at least one of the at large teams but their record against Wisconsin and Ohio State put them into the "why do they deserve to play in the NCAA tournament" portion of the discussion. And they didn't.
 
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