West Virginia Governor Launches NCAA Investigation After Team’s Tournament Exclusion

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey announced on Monday an investigation into the NCAA’s men’s basketball tournament selection process following the exclusion of the West Virginia Mountaineers from the annual event.

This decision came a day after the NCAA selection committee controversially chose the University of North Carolina — which received a No. 11 seed — over West Virginia, provoking a fierce debate among sports officials and fans alike.

Standing before a podium that read “National Corrupt Athletic Association,” Morrisey condemned the selection committee, stating, “This is a miscarriage of justice and robbery at the highest level.” He expressed his belief that West Virginia deserved a place in the tournament based on its performance.

Morrisey emphasized key basketball metrics such as Quad 1 victories and strength of schedule, claiming that the Mountaineers had a stronger resume than the Tar Heels. West Virginia concluded its season with a 19-13 record (10-10 in the Big 12), while North Carolina’s record stood at 22-13 (13-7 in the Atlantic Coast Conference). West Virginia boasted a 6-10 Quad 1 record, compared to North Carolina’s troubling 1-12 mark.

“We keep hearing about the importance of these Quad 1 wins, but UNC couldn’t even get more than one,” Morrisey added, criticizing the committee’s decision-making process.

Attorney General J.B. McCuskey will lead the investigation into how teams are selected for the tournament, aiming to uncover whether corruption, backroom deals, or other unethical practices influenced the committee’s decisions. Morrisey voiced concern over the influence of NCAA selection committee chair Bubba Cunningham, who also serves as the athletic director at UNC. Reports suggest that Cunningham stood to gain a bonus of at least $70,000 if the Tar Heels reached the tournament.

“Any way you slice it, this thing reeks of corruption,” Morrisey said. He underscored the need for transparency, stating, “This is a billion-dollar business that involves a lifetime’s worth of work for many student athletes.”

Despite the turmoil surrounding the selection process, the Mountaineers opted not to participate in the National Invitational Tournament (NIT). Morrisey’s past confrontations with the NCAA include a successful lawsuit during his tenure as West Virginia’s attorney general against the association’s transfer eligibility rules.

“Is this retribution? I don’t know. We’re going to have to get to the bottom of that,” Morrisey said, alluding to his suspicions of bias within the selection committee. In support of the Mountaineers, Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark expressed confusion over the exclusion, citing West Virginia’s performance and competition in a challenging conference.

During the press conference, Morrisey also noted the need for reforms within the NCAA, stating, “The selection process hasn’t kept up with modern collegiate athletics. We need objective, data-driven results.”

While speculation mounts over possible litigation, Morrisey expressed hope for cooperation with the NCAA to ensure a fairer selection process in the future.

West Virginia head coach Darian DeVries praised his team, saying, “I am incredibly proud of this team and what they accomplished this season,” reaffirming the high hopes the Mountaineers held for an NCAA tournament bid.