Tourney logistics two regionals and other issues

[Phil]

In the UNC Postgame Thread thread, several people including myself commented on logistics of the tournament.

I see the Geno is expressing himself forcefully, so I thought it is worth its own thread.

One of the questions asked was whether the two regional set up could be changed. I responded to that comment, which I will repeat here but I'll add links to Geno's comment

 

[Phil]

Women's tournament committed to 2-site regionals for next 5 years​

The NCAA women's basketball tournament is committed to having two sites for its four regionals for at least five more seasons but might return to four sites at some point after that. And if there is expansion for the men's tournament, the women's field also will expand.

 

[Phil]

 

[Phil]

 

[cancontent]

Had to share. 😏

 

[Bigboote]

And the irony of seeing all those empty seats after they went to two regionals to “fill up the arenas.” Not getting the fans and pissing off the coaches. Priceless.

 

[Phil]

They first tried two regionals in 2023. I have trepidation about how many would show up in Seattle, but the attendance numbers were great if I recall correctly.

In retrospect, that was the year Iowa was the overall runner-up and rabid Caitlin Clark fans helped fill the arena.

I haven't looked at all the attendance numbers I don't think this year is doing anywhere near as well.

 

[Jim]

I seem to recall people complaining about hotel accommodations at the Spokane regional. I think one of the teams had to go to Idaho to get hotel rooms.

 

[bballnut90]

They first tried two regionals in 2023. I have trepidation about how many would show up in Seattle, but the attendance numbers were great if I recall correctly.

In retrospect, that was the year Iowa was the overall runner-up and rabid Caitlin Clark fans helped fill the arena.

I haven't looked at all the attendance numbers I don't think this year is doing anywhere near as well.

Attendance has looked awful in games I’ve see which is a big disappointment for a sport that has had so much growth over the last few years. I thought women’s basketball had more staying power to fill regional locations but apparently not.

The one benefit of 2 regionals is it (in theory) helps keep games more neutral, though exceptions to that certainly exist.

 

[Puppy Love]

The one benefit of 2 regionals is it (in theory) helps keep games more neutral, though exceptions to that certainly exist.

The question of neutrality has been argued for as long as I’ve been watching women’s basketball. I don’t understand why people get upset about the idea home court advantage for teams that are seeded higher. No one complains when major league baseball gives home field advantage in the playoffs and World Series to teams that finished the highest. The NFL playoffs have higher seed home field advantage in a one and done situation. Women’s basketball is not yet to the point where games will sell out in a neutral location. The regionals need to be where the fans are. I don’t think that the fans are in Houston Texas.

 

[cancontent]

Attendance has looked awful in games I’ve see which is a big disappointment for a sport that has had so much growth over the last few years. I thought women’s basketball had more staying power to fill regional locations but apparently not.

The one benefit of 2 regionals is it (in theory) helps keep games more neutral, though exceptions to that certainly exist.

Another challenge could be how the tickets are priced. When you factor in the proximity of the regional compared to where some team fan bases are as well, it doesn't help.