Notre Dame Graduate Draws Backlash Over Controversial NCAA Tournament Selection

Notre Dame Graduate Faces Criticism After Controversial NCAA Tournament Selection

Bubba Cunningham, NCAA Tournament committee chair and a former Notre Dame golfer, is at the center of a controversy following the NCAA Tournament selection. Cunningham, who is also the athletic director at North Carolina, faced backlash over the Tar Heels’ inclusion in the tournament.

Selection Sunday in college basketball often sparks controversy, with fans always feeling that some teams were unfairly left out or unjustly given a higher seed. While some complaints are valid, others seem like reactions from disappointed fans.

This year, the controversy centers around North Carolina’s inclusion in the NCAA Tournament. Despite being a traditional powerhouse, the Tar Heels’ inclusion was surprising given their lackluster record—just one win in 13 attempts against teams ranked in the NCAA’s top 65 NET rankings.

Adding fuel to the fire, Cunningham’s connection to Notre Dame raised eyebrows. As a Notre Dame graduate and former golfer, his role as committee chair and North Carolina’s placement in the tournament raised questions. Cunningham addressed the issue on the selection show, but that didn’t appease all critics.

"I was not in the room for any of that."

Chairman of the NCAA Men's Basketball Selection Committee and UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham explained the process behind the Tar Heels getting into the tournament. pic.twitter.com/vAD7qu4s3F

— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 16, 2025

The biggest complaint came from West Virginia fans, who felt their team was unfairly left out of the tournament. Their frustration grew as their athletic director publicly criticized the committee’s decision.

The issue at hand involves the NET rankings, which the committee uses to assess teams. Despite its lack of significant wins, North Carolina finished 36th in the NET rankings, whereas West Virginia was ranked 51st and Indiana 54th. While this wasn’t a great look for the selection committee, these rankings were a key factor in the decision, even if it left some fans unhappy.