The NCAA Tournament has sparked significant controversy this year, particularly for North Carolina Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham, who received threatening emails, including death threats, following the bracket's release. Fans from teams snubbed for the tournament, especially the West Virginia Mountaineers, expressed their anger toward Cunningham, the selection committee chairman. Many of the emails were vitriolic, with some even referencing Cunningham's family. The uproar intensified after the Mountaineers were notably excluded from the tournament. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey has since called for accountability regarding the selections.

By the Numbers
  • Cunningham received hundreds of angry emails from West Virginia fans.
  • At least two emails contained direct death threats.
State of Play
  • The NCAA Tournament bracket was announced on March 16, igniting backlash from fans.
  • West Virginia's Governor publicly demanded answers during a press conference.
What's Next

As the fallout continues, there may be increased scrutiny on the selection committee's processes. Additional comments or actions from Cunningham and the NCAA could also emerge as the outrage persists among fans from snubbed teams.

Bottom Line

The threats against Cunningham highlight the extreme emotions surrounding NCAA tournament selections, emphasizing the need for transparent criteria and better communication from the selection committee to mitigate such backlash in the future.