Coach Geno Auriemma Slams Excessive Physicality In WNBA Games

One of the most preeminent voices in women’s basketball these days is Geno Auriemma, the architect of the UConn dynasty. Having coached many of the stars who dominate the WNBA today, Auriemma had something to say about the issue of rough play in the league.

At a recent media availability, Auriemma shared some insights that he’s gotten from WNBA and NBA personalities alike. These insights have led him to a certain conclusion regarding physicality on the court.

“I’ve had a lot of NBA people and a lot of former WNBA players telling me that what goes in a WNBA game is way more physical than what happens in an NBA game,” Auriemma told reporters. “On a daily basis, I think the WNBA game is not conducive to great basketball.”

The 71-year-old mentor, who has won a record-setting 12 NCAA Division I basketball titles with the Huskies program, dismissed the notion that “great basketball” is equivalent to sold-out arenas and several eyeballs glued to the TV screen.

“You can spin it any way you want, there’s more viewers, that’s great,” Auriemma said. “That doesn’t mean it’s a better game, just because more people are watching.”

To drive his point further, the eight-time Naismith Coach of the Year pointed to a series that featured two of his prized pupils: New York Liberty veteran Breanna Stewart and Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier.

“You watch the final game last year between the Liberty and the Lynx. It was a horrendous game,” Auriemma said. “The two best teams in the league, and the score was 20-20 or something at halftime.”

So, how bad was it, coach? “People can’t get open, people can’t cut, the ball handlers are getting whacked every time they move,” Auriemma pointed out.

Ultimately, the UConn head coach urged the WNBA to rethink its philosophy regarding how much physicality is allowed.

“I don’t think it’s the people actually officiating the games,” Auriemma said as he looked to identify the source of the problem. “I think it’s what’s in the rulebook or what is accepted as the style of play that we want. ‘Cause if they didn’t want that style of play, they wouldn’t have it.”