In a bold move, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey and Attorney General JB McCuskey held a joint press conference on Monday to announce an investigation into the NCAA Tournament selection committee. This announcement comes on the heels of the Mountaineers' surprising exclusion from the coveted 68-team field announced on Selection Sunday. The officials expressed their discontent, labeling the omission as a "miscarriage of justice" and a "robbery at the highest levels."
Governor Morrisey emphasized that nearly every sports analyst and Bracketologist had predicted that West Virginia would secure a spot in the tournament. "This was an unexpected outcome for the Mountaineers," he stated. The governor highlighted the glaring discrepancy between West Virginia's resume and that of the University of North Carolina, which ultimately made the tournament despite a less favorable performance.
During the press conference, Morrisey scrutinized the selection process, particularly focusing on the potential conflict of interest stemming from UNC's athletic director Bubba Cunningham serving as the selection committee chair. "Now, who was the last team to get into the tournament ahead of the Mountaineers?" he asked rhetorically, pointing out that it was indeed North Carolina. The governor provided detailed comparisons, stating that the Tar Heels recorded a disappointing 1-12 record in Quad one games and even suffered a loss in Quad 3.
Morrisey noted, "We keep hearing about the importance of these Quad 1 wins, but UNC couldn't even achieve more than one." He also highlighted the strength of schedule, revealing that UNC had the 25th toughest schedule in the nation, just behind West Virginia.
Governor Morrisey urged Attorney General McCuskey to launch a thorough investigation into the selection committee. He raised concerns about possible backroom deals, corruption, or other nefarious activities that may have influenced the decision-making process. "It's imperative that we uncover the truth behind this decision," Morrisey stated.
When pressed for specifics regarding the investigation, Morrisey indicated that he is currently focused on establishing objective criteria for tournament inclusion rather than immediately pursuing legal action.
The NCAA selection committee's rationale for including UNC was met with skepticism. They cited the absence of West Virginia player Tucker DeVries—who had been sidelined since December—as a factor in their decision. Additionally, they referenced UNC's T-Rank and Wins Above Bubble (WAB) metrics, which measure team efficiency and performance against tournament eligibility thresholds.
Attorney General McCuskey echoed the governor's sentiments, stating, "It is incumbent upon me to work with the governor to ensure that this process is fair. We earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament. You can't really make an argument any other way."
The investigation into the NCAA Tournament selection process is crucial for maintaining integrity in college athletics. As Governor Morrisey and Attorney General McCuskey work to uncover the truth, the spotlight remains on the fairness of the selection committee's decisions. The Mountaineers, despite their exclusion, have ignited a significant conversation about transparency and accountability within the NCAA.
