Tue Mar 18 21:50:00 UTC 2025: ## West Virginia Governor Launches Investigation into NCAA Tournament Selection After Mountaineers Snub
**Charleston, WV** – West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey has announced a formal investigation into the NCAA men’s basketball tournament selection committee, alleging bias and a lack of transparency after the West Virginia Mountaineers were unexpectedly left out of the bracket. Morrisey, appearing at a press conference with a sign reading “National Corrupt Athletic Association,” called the omission a “miscarriage of justice and robbery.”
The Mountaineers finished the season with a 19-13 record, including six Quad 1 wins. However, their early exit from the Big 12 tournament and the season-long absence of key player Tucker DeVries due to injury appear to have played a role in their exclusion. First-year coach Darian DeVries expressed the team’s “shock, sadness, and disappointment.”
While NCAA Selection Committee chairman Bubba Cunningham, also the athletic director at North Carolina, acknowledged DeVries’ injury as a factor in the close decisions, the inclusion of North Carolina (22-13) has fueled Morrisey’s accusations of corruption. North Carolina, an 11-seed, was the final team selected despite a less-impressive record against Quad 1 opponents compared to West Virginia. Morrisey pointed to reports of potential incentives for Cunningham should North Carolina make the tournament, stating the situation “reeks of corruption.”
West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey will lead the investigation, seeking greater transparency and accountability in the selection process. McCuskey stated the goal is to provide clarity for future seasons, outlining specific criteria for tournament selection. While the investigation is underway, Morrisey has indicated that litigation is not currently being pursued. The NCAA has yet to respond to the allegations.
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