The NCAA Tournament selection process has generated waves of reactions after the unexpected exclusion of several prominent teams, including Indiana, Boise State, West Virginia, and Ohio State. Announced on selection Sunday, March 16, 2025, these teams' absences from the 68-team field sent shockwaves through the sports community, where conversations of fairness and transparency have since emerged.
One of the most talked-about teams has been Indiana, which finished its season with a 19-13 record, including 10-10 in the Big Ten Conference. The Hoosiers had hoped to secure their place after strong performances leading up to the selection. Unfortunately, their chances dwindled following their singular loss to Oregon during the Big Ten Tournament, resulting in their omission from the tournament and leaving retiring coach Mike Woodson unable to coach his team again.
Boise State saw similar frustration, finishing with a 24-10 record and bowing out to Colorado State 69-56 in the Mountain West Conference Tournament. Coach Leon Rice expressed his disappointment, lamenting how one early-season loss to Boston College affected their standing with the selection committee. "So because, on the third day of a tournament, Boston College hits a step-back 3 to beat us, does it mean we’re not tournament-worthy?" he wondered aloud. His sentiment has been echoed by many around the league.
The Mountaineers, under coach Darian DeVries, also witnessed their hopes dashed. With six Quad I wins, they had reason to believe their performance would warrant inclusion. Yet their early defeat to last-place Colorado left them off the list when selection time came around. "Obviously, we are extremely shocked, saddened, and disappointed with not being selected for the NCAA Tournament," DeVries expressed after the announcement.
Adding to the controversy, Gov. Patrick Morrisey of West Virginia has called for an investigation by the state attorney general to examine the NCAA's selection process. Arguably, the scrutiny over fairness and clarity speaks to the larger frustrations felt by teams left on the outside.
Ohio State, like the others, faced the disappointing reality of missing the tournament after securing six Quad I wins, which solidifies their impressive record even as they faltered down the stretch, losing five of their last seven games. This marked the third consecutive season the Buckeyes missed out, leaving their fanbase anxious.
Even with these exclusions, there were additional controversies surrounding other teams making the cut. North Carolina's inclusion over Indiana and West Virginia drew heavy criticism. Jon Rothstein, CBS Sports analyst, labeled it as nothing short of a "miscarriage of justice." He confronted the selection standards, questioning how North Carolina could be favored over teams like Indiana, who displayed victories against strong competition such as Michigan State and Purdue.
Rothstein highlighted the contrasting records and performances, noting Indiana's lack of devastating losses, especially when compared to North Carolina's abysmal 1-12 mark against tournament teams this season. He articulated his bewilderment, rhetorically asking why Indiana's solid performance and lack of Quad 3 or 4 losses seemed overlooked.
The mixed responses to the selection outcomes from both analysts and fans indicate the broad discontent within college basketball circles. Many, including Rothstein, have publicly questioned the process and highlighted inconsistencies, noting the standards for inclusion seem selective and unsatisfactory. The outcry emphasizes the need for NCAA reform to align with fair practices.
Looking at the timeline of events, NCAA fans have significant games to anticipate. The First Four is scheduled for March 18-19, 2025, followed by the first round on March 20-21. Shortly after, teams will compete for advancement, culminating with the National Championship scheduled for April 7, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas.
Each year, the tournament promises excitement and drama, but this season's selections bring another layer of complexity. Schools like Indiana and West Virginia have loyal followers questioning not just player performance, but institutional integrity and values reflected by the tournament selection committee. These debates will likely continue to stir at the forefront of NCAA basketball discussions.
While Indiana is left to mourn its missed opportunity with Woodson's retirement looming, other teams are preparing to make their moves on the national stage. Whether the voices for change will lead to tangible reforms remains to be seen, but the echoes of criticism certainly highlight the pressing need for transparency and fairness within the NCAA Tournament selection process.
