The unveiling of the 2025 NCAA tournament bracket on Sunday brought attention to a few notable omissions, with West Virginia being one of them. The Mountaineers narrowly missed out on a tournament spot, deemed as the first team left out of the selection. Despite their 19-13 overall record and 10-10 Big 12 record, West Virginia was seen as a significant snub by many. The team expressed their disappointment, stating they believed they deserved a place in the tournament.
Shortly after the bracket reveal, West Virginia’s head coach Darian DeVries issued a statement on social media addressing the snub, expressing shock and sadness over not being selected. He praised his team for their hard work and dedication throughout the season, emphasizing their belief that they had a tournament-worthy resume.
Athletic director Wren Baker also voiced his dismay on social media, sharing the team’s accomplishments from the season, including notable wins against strong opponents. He expressed disbelief at their exclusion and highlighted the team’s achievements.
West Virginia’s absence from the tournament came as a surprise to many, especially since North Carolina secured the final at-large spot instead. UNC’s athletic director, Bubba Cunningham, who chairs the selection committee, faced scrutiny over the decision. However, Cunningham clarified that he wasn’t present during discussions about UNC due to committee protocols.
The committee’s decision left West Virginia reeling, with some feeling that a wrong choice was made. Cunningham mentioned a season-ending injury to guard Tucker DeVries, the coach’s son, as a factor in the decision, despite DeVries playing only a few games before getting injured.
As a result, UNC advanced to the tournament, while West Virginia was left out, prompting disappointment among their fans and supporters.
