The NCAA announced on Monday that a 3-point line on the court used for the women's basketball regionals in Portland, Oregon, was found to be about 9 inches short of regulation at its apex. This error was attributed to a mistake by the contractor responsible for the courts used during March Madness.
The line at Moda Center was promptly corrected ahead of the UConn-USC game to determine the final spot in the upcoming Final Four weekend. Connor Sports, the supplier and installer of the courts for the NCAA, was identified as the provider of the inaccurate court markings.
According to NCAA vice president for women’s basketball, Lynn Holzman, the misalignment of the 3-point line was due to human error by a finisher contracted by Connor Sports. The discrepancy was discovered before the Elite Eight game between Texas and North Carolina State, after four games had already been played with the incorrect line.
Despite the error, teams agreed to continue playing rather than delay the games. The NCAA expressed regret for the oversight and pledged to implement additional quality control measures to prevent such incidents in future tournaments.
Aside from the court mishap, the NCAA women's basketball tournament has seen record television viewership, driven by the popularity of standout players like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers, and JuJu Watkins. However, the tournament has also faced controversies, including off-the-court issues such as a case of racial harassment and officiating challenges.
The misdrawn 3-point line marked a turbulent period for the NCAA, which has been striving to address disparities between the men's and women's basketball tournaments. The incident at Moda Center added to a series of challenges faced by the organization in recent days.
Teams playing at the venue had to adjust to shooting from a shorter 3-point line during the first half of games, affecting shooting percentages. Coaches and players acknowledged the unusual situation but downplayed its impact on game outcomes.
Connor Sports, the flooring company responsible for the court, issued an apology for the error and promptly made corrections. The incident highlighted the complexities of managing multiple courts at arenas hosting various basketball events.
Despite the setback, the NCAA remains focused on delivering an engaging tournament experience for fans and participants alike, aiming to learn from past mistakes and improve future events.
