Today WV AG JB McCuskey applauded the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s updated principles and procedures for the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship Tournament selection. The changes follow many discussions with the Attorney General’s Office after West Virginia University’s Men’s Basketball team was left out of the 2025 tournament. After the selection, Attorney General McCuskey joined with West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey to call on the NCAA to act.
Two new rules have been approved by the selection committee. First, the committee chair cannot be present for the selection of the last four at-large teams if the school the chair represents is still under consideration. Second, if the team the committee chair represents is among the last four at-large teams selected, then the committee chair may not publicly comment on the school’s selection.
“I am pleased the NCAA implemented changes to its tournament selection process. Like most West Virginians, I love college basketball. March Madness is an unmatched experience for student athletes and fans. These new rules ensure transparency and fairness in the selection process. And they will go a long way in making sure deserving teams are in the tournament, which is all our student athletes and fans want. Throughout this process, the NCAA was willing to hear our concerns and to work with our team to make the selection process fairer and more transparent for all teams involved. We shared a common goal of making the system better for student athletes, and I applaud the NCAA’s efforts to do just that,” Attorney General McCuskey said.
See the updated principles and procedures here: 2017-18 Principles and Procedures.doc
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