Kenny Brooks is a big fan of super regional because of the experiences it would provide for players.(Vicky Graff Photo)
Kenny Brooks did not complain about his team having to play host West Virginia in the NCAA Tournament second round when UK won or even playing Texas in Fort Worth, Texas, in the regional semifinal when UK was blasted by the Longhorns. However, the Kentucky coach made it clear again that he thinks the NCAA should have super regionals not to eliminate home-court advantages but to enhance the student-athlete experience.
“I think my first year that we played in an NCAA Tournament it was super regionals and we went to Pittsburgh I think it was and there were eight teams in the hotel, in the city. It was abuzz. It was great. Probably the best NCAA experience I had other than going to the Final Four,” Brooks said.
“Just me and my experiences for the student-athletes, I’m a big fan of the super regionals, kind of like what the men are doing. It just puts you like you’re at an NCAA event. You work all year to get to this and make it to the NCAA Tournament and you want it to be an event.
“Sad to say, I think one of the best times I had, too, is when we went to San Antonio during COVID. Every team was in one place and it was kind of like a really big AAU tournament or something. Just had a really good buzz to it.”
