Standing at a podium adorned with a “NCAA” sign, which Gov. Patrick Morrisey whimsically referred to as standing for “National Corrupt Athletic Association,” he and Attorney General JB McCuskey announced on Monday their intentions to investigate the NCAA Tournament selection committee following West Virginia University’s exclusion from the tournament’s 68-team field.

“Nearly every single sports fan, pundit and Bracketologist had WVU as a shoo-in for the tournament,” Morrisey remarked, expressing his indignation that the Mountaineers were the first to be left out. He deemed the situation a “miscarriage of justice and robbery at the highest levels.”

Morrisey criticized the inclusion of North Carolina versus West Virginia and pointed out the potential conflict of interest arising from UNC’s athletic director, Bubba Cunningham, being the chair of the selection committee. He emphasized the importance of objective criteria for tournament entry.

Morrisey called for McCuskey to conduct an investigation into any illicit conduct by the selection committee, including backroom deals or bribes. Though he hasn’t confirmed whether legal actions will follow, he is focused on ensuring the selection process is fair.

The North Carolina team, which notably had a subpar record of 1-12 in critical games and suffered a loss in a lower tier, made the tournament, while West Virginia’s achievements were overlooked.

“It’s vital for the governor’s office and the attorney general to oversee a fair process,” said McCuskey. “We deserve our rightful place in the tournament. There’s no solid argument to suggest otherwise.”

While the investigation is set in motion, West Virginia remains a source of contention as the first team out, while North Carolina secured a spot in the tournament.