Part 3/9:
The controversy surrounding West Virginia's exclusion was seemingly compounded by the performance of the Big 12 conference, which was criticized as being overrated. Observers argued that a coach's player was injured earlier in the season, and this prior setback should not negate the team’s accomplishments throughout the year. The snub was characterized as a glaring injustice, with an unprecedented statistical point made: West Virginia was reportedly the first team ever to be included in all major bracket predictions yet not make the tournament selection.