West Virginia men’s basketball head coach Darian DeVries has publicly addressed the Mountaineers’ exclusion from the 2025 NCAA Tournament, describing the decision as “extremely shocking, saddened and disappointed.” In a statement released shortly after the bracket announcement, DeVries emphasized that his team’s performance warranted inclusion. “We strongly believe that we have a résumé that is worthy of an NCAA Tournament team,” he stated .
Despite a 19–13 overall record and a 10–10 mark in the Big 12, West Virginia was left out of the tournament, becoming the first team listed outside the field. The Mountaineers secured six victories against Quad 1 opponents, including wins over top-ranked teams such as Gonzaga and Iowa State . However, a loss to Colorado in the Big 12 Tournament opener may have impacted their standing.
In response to the snub, West Virginia Athletic Director Wren Baker expressed his disbelief, stating, “I can’t comprehend this team being left out. Our résumé was better than several teams in the field, and it’s a terrible travesty that we weren’t included”
Following the exclusion, DeVries announced his departure from West Virginia to become the head coach at Indiana. This move has sparked controversy, with some speculating that discussions between DeVries and Indiana may have occurred before the season concluded . Players and fans in Morgantown have expressed their frustration, with some labeling DeVries as “public enemy number one”
As DeVries transitions to his new role at Indiana, the West Virginia program faces uncertainty and seeks to rebuild following a tumultuous end to the season.
