CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – Governor Patrick Morrisey and Attorney General JB McCuskey had harsh words for the NCAA Selection Committee on Monday after WVU was not selected for the NCAA tournament.

The Gov. and Attorney General are asking the NCAA to provide explanations.

Standing at the podium with the words “National Corrupt Athletic Committee” written below him, Morrisey said, “West Virginia deserved to be in the NCAA tournament. This was a miscarriage of justice and robbery at the highest levels.”

“Last night, like many West Virginians, we sat down to watch the March Madness Selection Committee,” said Gov. Morrisey. “Quite frankly, many of us were watching to see how WVU was going to be seated in the tournament. Nearly every single sports fan, pundit, bracketologist, everyone had WVU as a shoo-in for the tournament. In fact, leading up to selection Sunday, 111 out of the 111 bracketologists projected that WVU would make the tournament and for good reason.”

On Monday, Gov. Morrisey pointed to UNC making it into the tournament over WVU.

Morrisey said UNC had representation in the room during the selection process.

The UNC Athletic Director is also the head of the tournament selection committee, said Gov. Morrisey.

“This stinks at the highest level,” said Gov. Morrisey. “This doesn’t pass the smell test.”

Morrisey also said that there were reports that the UNC Athletic Director had a bonus incentive to get into the tournament.

“I want folks to let that sink in for a moment,” Morrisey said on Monday. “Any way you slice it, this thing reeks of corruption.”

Morrisey said the committee said the ultimate decision came down to WVU player Tucker DeVries not being on the court.

Attorney General JB McCuskey said on Monday that the governor and he are hoping to work with the NCAA to find out what is the objective metric to be selected in the tournament.

“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?”

“We need to know what they are looking for,” said Attorney General JB McCuskey.

When asked if there will be a lawsuit, Gov. Morrisey said it was “too soon for litigation”.

The Attorney General said he is optimistic the NCAA will work with the state to provide some clarity about the decision to ensure the process is fair.

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