- Indiana misses NCAA Tournament in coach Mike Woodson's final season.
- Boise State falls short despite 24 wins and Mountain West title game appearance.
- West Virginia's six Quad 1 wins overshadowed by key injury and committee decision.
- Ohio State's late-season collapse extends NCAA drought to three years.
- Wake Forest opts out of NIT, questions selection criteria's fairness.
The 2024 NCAA Tournament selection process sparked controversy as several high-profile teams were unexpectedly excluded. Indiana, led by retiring coach Mike Woodson, finished 19-13 but saw its postseason hopes dashed after a Big Ten Tournament loss. Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham highlighted the committee's consideration of player availability, referencing West Virginia's injury struggles with star Tucker DeVries.
Boise State's exclusion marked a historic snub for the Mountain West Conference. Despite reaching the conference championship and securing marquee wins over Clemson and Saint Mary's, the Broncos became the first team in 15 years to win 24 games and miss the tournament. Coach Leon Rice criticized the committee's emphasis on a November loss, arguing it didn't reflect their current roster's strength.
West Virginia's case revealed the complex evaluation process. The Mountaineers' six Quad 1 victories tied them with tournament-bound teams, but Tucker DeVries' 12-game absence proved decisive. This decision prompted West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey to call for an investigation into selection transparency, underscoring growing skepticism about the process.
Ohio State's exclusion continued a troubling trend for the program. Despite early wins, a late-season 2-5 skid marked their third consecutive missed tournament—a first since 2005. Wake Forest's refusal of an NIT bid highlighted broader frustrations, with AD John Currie questioning why teams below .500 in conference play received at-large bids.
Industry analysts note three critical trends: 1) Mid-major scheduling risks, as seen in Boise State's November tournament loss impacting their resume; 2) The committee's increasing weight on player availability, setting a precedent for injury-riddled teams; and 3) Declining NIT participation reflecting shifting priorities in college basketball. A Mountain West case study reveals conference teams now face unprecedented pressure to schedule aggressively while maintaining conference dominance.