He is trying to spark that conversation by suggesting the rims be lowered by at least 7 inches for the women's game.
"I think if we want to get to where other sports are in terms of appealing more to more people, you have to evolve," he said Thursday. "I'm trying to help those teams that can't figure out why they get only 200 people to watch them play every night."
Auriemma's argument is the combination of shorter players, the high rims, and a smaller ball (which doesn't stay on the rim as long) leads to a women's game that is less exciting to watch.
Over the past 10 years, the shooting percentage for men has hovered at right about 44 percent, according to STATS LLC. The high was 44.2 percent in 2006 and the low was 43.5 percent in 2009. The women have been shooting closer to 40 percent, with a low of 39 percent last season, down from a high of 40.8 percent in 2002. Only 11 women's programs shot 45 percent or better last year, compared to 109 for the men.
Auriemma points out that volleyball nets are lower for women, tees are placed closer to the hole for female golfers and softball diamonds are smaller than those used in baseball.
"I never said we should make it the men's game," Auriemma said Thursday. "All I said is I would like to have a scenario explored where women can have the same success around the rim that men have. Is that too much to ask?"
There was a mixed reaction to Auriemma's suggestion from his colleagues across the country.
"You can go to the rec center, and you can go to an elementary gym, a high school gym, you can go to an arena like American Airlines and the goals are 10-foot tall, and you can shoot on them and get better," Oklahoma's Sherri Coale said. "I don't think we want to put ourselves in a situation where we have to find a women's goal so we can get better as players."
Others just don't think it's practical to change the height of every basket from elementary schools to the WNBA.
"I don't see it, cost-efficient wise, I don't see how they could do it," Tennessee coach Holly Warlick said. "I don't know how you do that because from the grassroots on, you're going to lower the goal."
But Auriemma also has supporters. TCU coach Jeff Mitte said it's at least worth talking about.
"We need to make some bold choices in women's basketball, and I think we need to do bold things," he said. "That is outside the box thinking, and I think that those type of discussions need to be had, because it is a different game than the men's game."
There was also a mixed response from the players.
Baylor star Brittney Griner said she doesn't see a need for a change, then the 6-foot-8 center joked, "I might have a couple of more injuries hitting my elbow and stuff on it."
But UConn guard Caroline Doty said it might be fun.
"I wouldn't be able to dunk, so it wouldn't benefit me," she said. "But it would be cool to throw alley-oops and stuff."
Auriemma said his point is that something needs to be done to grow the game and spark more interest from fans. He also suggested other changes, such as an 8 or 10-second rule for bringing the ball across half-court and putting the shot clock at 24 rather than 30 seconds.
"I'm just throwing things out there," he said. "You don't have to lower the rim; you don't have to do anything ... but I think if you want to get to where other sports are in terms of appealing more to more people, you have to evolve."
The NCAA issued a statement Thursday saying it has no plans to discuss Auriemma's proposed rule changes.
But Carol Callan, director of women's basketball for USA Basketball, said those types of issues have been under discussion by the international basketball federation, FIBA, for some time. She said that while changing the rim height for baskets around the world would be a daunting task, it should not be dismissed out of hand.
"All ideas should be considered good ideas," she said. "Get them out on the table and discuss them. Once you discuss them, then you can pick out the ones that really are the best ideas, and I think that's really what Geno is trying to do."
Geno Wants to Lower Hoops: A Vision for Change in Women's Basketball
In the realm of sports, visions for change often spark discussions that challenge the status quo and inspire progress. One such vision has been put forth by Geno Auriemma, the renowned coach of the University of Connecticut women's basketball team. His proposal to lower the height of basketball hoops in women's games has ignited conversations about equity, athleticism, and the evolution of the sport. In this article, we delve into the origins of this proposal, its potential impact, and address frequently asked questions surrounding Geno's vision to lower hoops in women's basketball.
Unveiling Geno's Vision
Geno Auriemma, a coaching legend with numerous championships to his name, has long been an advocate for the advancement of women's basketball. His proposal to lower the height of basketball hoops in women's games is born from a desire to enhance the game's overall athleticism and make it more exciting for players and fans alike.
Key Aspects of the Proposal:
Lowering the Hoops: The proposal suggests lowering the height of the basketball hoops in women's games from the standard 10 feet to a height that would be more proportionate to the players' average height and physical capabilities.
Enhancing Scoring and Skill: Auriemma believes that lowering the hoops could lead to an increase in scoring and a greater emphasis on skill and athleticism. This, in turn, could make the game more engaging and appealing to audiences.
Leveling the Playing Field: Proponents of the proposal argue that it could help level the playing field between men's and women's basketball by addressing the inherent physiological differences between male and female players.
Potential Impact and Implications
Increased Scoring: One of the expected outcomes of lowering the hoops is an increase in scoring. With the baskets at a slightly lower height, shooting percentages may improve, leading to a more fast-paced and high-scoring game.
Player Skill Emphasis: Auriemma's vision also places a greater emphasis on player skills such as shooting accuracy, ball handling, and defensive techniques. This could encourage players to develop a more well-rounded skill set.
Attracting Audiences: Auriemma's proposal has the potential to attract more fans to women's basketball by creating a more visually appealing game with higher scoring and dynamic plays.
Critics and Concerns: Critics argue that altering the height of the hoops could disrupt the integrity of the sport and create an unnecessary division between men's and women's basketball. They also question whether changes to equipment can address deeper issues related to funding and promotion.
FAQs about "Geno Wants to Lower Hoops"
Q1: Why does Geno Auriemma want to lower the hoops in women's basketball?
Geno Auriemma's proposal aims to enhance the athleticism and excitement of women's basketball by lowering the height of the hoops. He believes this change could increase scoring, emphasize skill, and ultimately make the game more engaging for players and fans.
Q2: How much would the hoops be lowered under the proposal?
The exact height to which the hoops would be lowered under the proposal is a topic of discussion. There is no universally agreed-upon height, but the aim is to find a height that strikes a balance between athleticism and the integrity of the game.
Q3: Would lowering the hoops address the broader challenges in women's basketball?
While lowering the hoops may have some impact on the game, it doesn't directly address broader challenges such as gender inequality in sports funding, media coverage, and promotion. These issues are often cited as more significant barriers to the growth of women's sports.
Q4: Would this change make women's basketball less competitive?
The competitive nature of women's basketball would still remain intact with altered hoop heights. Players would need to adapt to the change and refine their skills to succeed, which is a natural aspect of any sport.
Q5: How has the basketball community responded to the proposal?
The proposal has sparked a range of responses within the basketball community. While some see potential benefits, others express concerns about the impact on the integrity of the sport and the need for addressing broader issues.
Q6: Is this proposal unique to women's basketball?
The proposal to lower hoops is primarily associated with women's basketball due to the physiological differences between male and female players. Men's basketball has not seen similar calls for hoop height changes.
In
Geno Auriemma's vision to lower hoops in women's basketball has ignited conversations about the evolution of the sport and its potential to become more dynamic and engaging. While the proposal offers interesting possibilities for enhancing athleticism and scoring, it also raises questions about the fundamental nature of the game and its inherent challenges. As discussions continue, the proposal serves as a catalyst for broader conversations about equity, skill development, and the future of women's basketball on the global stage.
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