WEST VIRGINIA (LOOTPRESS) – West Virginia’s basketball team has made headlines recently, with rumors surrounding the coaching staff and the Mountaineers’ exclusion from the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
The selection committee’s decision to include North Carolina over West Virginia has sparked confusion.
Despite a stronger resume, including six Quad 1 wins, West Virginia was left out, leading to speculation that the presence of UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham on the selection committee influenced the decision.
On Monday, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey, along with Attorney General JB McCuskey, announced the launch of an investigation into the NCAA and the selection committee.
“We’re looking into whether there were any ‘backroom deals’ made to put North Carolina in,” said Governor Morrisey.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith criticized the investigation, calling it “utterly ridiculous” during a segment of First Take on Tuesday.
“In all seriousness, it’s embarrassing for an elected official to take the position he’s taking. Literally calling for an investigation. You can complain and he has legitimacy with his complaints, but to go this far and really try to force an investigation, it’s utterly ridiculous. It’s childish and you would like to think our elected officials would have something better to do with their time. Clearly, he does not,” Smith stated.
However, Smith agreed that North Carolina’s performance—going 1-12 against Quad 1 teams—warranted further scrutiny.
“North Carolina should be in the NIT. North Carolina does not deserve to be in the NCAA Tournament. And Bubba Cunningham, some dude named Bubba, is not only on the selection committee, he’s the head of the selection committee,” Smith added. “And to tell us he has to leave the room when the conversation entails North Carolina is utterly ridiculous.”
While acknowledging West Virginia’s better resume, Smith also pointed out the Mountaineers’ struggles.
“Let’s not act like West Virginia is something to write home about. The bottom line is they were 19-13. They were 10-10 in their own conference. And when they went into the Big 12 tournament, they lost the very first game of the tournament to last place Colorado.”
Smith concluded by urging Governor Morrisey to reconsider his actions: “It’s a rare occasion when it is justified to tell a politician, sit your a** down. This is one of those situations. Sit your a** down. This is not something that warrants an investigation.”
