West Virginia Governor Slams NCAA Tournament Snub, Calls for Transparency
In a dramatic turn of events, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey has taken a bold stance against the NCAA tournament selection committee after the West Virginia Mountaineers were left out of the tournament. The governor, visibly frustrated, has called upon his attorney general to delve into the selection process, demanding transparency and fairness.
Standing at a podium adorned with a sign that read “National Corrupt Athletic Association,” Morrisey did not mince words. “West Virginia deserved to be in the NCAA tournament,” he declared passionately on Monday in Charleston, West Virginia. “This was a miscarriage of justice and robbery at the highest levels.”
The Mountaineers, who ended their season with a 19-13 record, had six Quad I wins. However, their journey hit a snag when they lost their opening game in the Big 12 tournament to last-place Colorado. Adding to their woes, the team played much of the season without Tucker DeVries, the coach’s son, who is a significant player standing at 6-foot-7. DeVries averaged 14.9 points and 4.9 rebounds in his eight starts before an upper-body injury sidelined him, requiring surgery.
First-year Mountaineers coach Darian DeVries expressed the team’s collective disappointment, stating they were “extremely shocked, saddened and disappointed” with the exclusion from the tournament.
Bubba Cunningham, the North Carolina athletic director and chairman of the NCAA tournament selection committee, addressed the situation, referencing DeVries’ injury when discussing the first four teams left out. “The last four teams that were out … it was a tough call,” Cunningham explained during the selection show on Sunday. “The next team out was West Virginia, and they had an outstanding year and, unfortunately, knowing Tucker DeVries was hurt, player availability is something that we talk about quite a bit.”
- Indiana
- Ohio State
- Boise State
These teams were also mentioned as being close to making the cut, highlighting the competitive nature of the selection process.
Adding fuel to the fire, one of the last at-large teams to make the field was North Carolina (22-13), a decision that raised eyebrows due to Cunningham’s dual role. Morrisey did not hold back, stating, “This stinks at the highest level. This doesn’t pass the smell test,” and pointed to reported incentives Cunningham would receive if the Tar Heels made the tournament. “I want folks to let that sink in for a moment. Any way you slice it, this thing reeks of corruption,” he added.
Despite the strong words, Morrisey noted that it was “too soon for litigation.”
North Carolina, chosen as an 11-seed, was the last team in, not based on its 1-12 record against Quad 1 teams, but on its 8-0 mark against Quad 2, along with other favorable metrics, as explained by Sun Belt Conference commissioner and selection committee vice-chairman Keith Gill. Cunningham clarified that, as chairman of the selection committee, he was not part of any debate that included UNC. Gill confirmed that he “managed all the conversations” concerning North Carolina.
West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey echoed the call for clarity, stating, “What we are asking for is a level of detail and a level of transparency, level of accountability, so teams like West Virginia can plan in the future and say, ‘What are we supposed to do to get into the tournament?'” McCuskey emphasized the need to understand the criteria used in the selection process.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Originally Written by: ESPN.com
