Geno Auriemma says mid-majors, high school players suffer in new college landscape

PHOENIX — UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma didn't mince words when asked about what revenue sharing and name, image and likeness means for the game.

"That was the death of the mid-majors," Auriemma said.

Auriemma might be on to something. Twenty seven mid-major teams were included in the Women's NCAA Tournament draw this season, 26 got automatic bids. One team − Richmond out of the Atlantic 10 − got an at-large bid. None of them advance past the first round.

The last time a mid-major made the Final Four was Missouri State in 2001. Gonzaga advanced to the Sweet 16 in 2024. Auriemma said there should be more tournament bids given to mid-majors and less to Power Four schools.

"If you would eliminate all those teams that have a losing record in their league and say, 'Listen, if you have a losing record in your league, you don't deserve to play for a national championship,'" Auriemma said. "Give more opportunities to those mid-majors, you know ... like the discussion between Miami of Ohio, when Auburn (in men's basketball) – like in what world are you discussing that, right?"

Auriemma went on say the transfer portal is hurting high school players. It is harder for them to get a four-year scholarship. The Huskies, for example, added Kayleigh Heckel from USC and Serah Williams from Wisconsin from the transfer portal this season. Kelis Fisher, Gandy Malou-Mamel and Blanca Quiñonez are the freshman on the roster. Only Quiñonez has seen significant minutes.

"It's never been harder for a high school kid to have the same opportunities that an existing college player already has," Auriemma said. "When your choices are to go get a high school senior or go get a college sophomore for your team? A lot of coaches are deciding getting a college sophomore is way better."

Overall, Auriemma said he thinks the game is in a good place with more competition and fans than ever before.

"This is the first time since the same schools are in (the Final Four) back to back (since 1995-96)," he said. "... It was us, Tennessee, Stanford, Georgia (back then). Think about that? How many Final Fours have those other three schools made in the last 15 years?"

For those keeping count, Stanford has been to 10 Final Fours since those back-to-back appearances in 1995 and 1996 and Tennesse nine, but Georgia has only been back once, in 1999.

Auriemma's point was that it's no longer the same handful of schools competing for titles.

"The game has changed so much because so many more schools now have an opportunity to get here. That doesn't mean they're gonna get here, but they have an opportunity to get here. So the games are a really, really good place. People are watching, you know, tremendous interest. It's our job now to put a really good vibe on court."