WVU Basketball
West Virginia Gov. Threatens Suing NCAA Over WVU Basketball Snub
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey has sued the NCAA before on behalf of WVU basketball and he’s threatening to do it again.
Following the Mountaineers’ exclusion from the 2025 NCAA Tournament, Morrisey, in his first term as Governor of West Virginia, posted on social media that he could consider bringing legislation against the NCAA.
West Virginia and other states sued the NCAA once before and won under my watch— maybe it’s time for some more oversight yet again. This is wrong on every level! @PatMcAfeeShow https://t.co/gAw4Zf96Rc
— Patrick Morrisey (@MorriseyWV) March 17, 2025
Serving as West Virginia Attorney General, Morrisey joined a coalition of seven states that sued the NCAA over its transfer policy in 2023. The lawsuit centered around WVU basketball player RaeQuan Battle, who was not granted an eligibility waiver to play for the Mountaineers in the 2023-24 season after transferring multiple times as an undergraduate.
Morrisey’s coalition first achieved an injunction to allow all affected players to play early in that season before the NCAA eventually acquiesced and changed its transfer policy. As the central figure in the case, Battle testified in a temporary restraining order hearing against the NCAA.
WVU men’s basketball coach Darian DeVries and WVU athletic director Wren Baker both released statements Sunday night expressing disappointment that the Mountaineers did not make the tournament.
“Obviously, we are extremely shocked, saddened and disappointed with not being selected for the NCAA Tournament,” DeVries said. “We strongly believe that we have a resume that is worthy of an NCAA Tournament team. I am incredibly proud of this team and what they accomplished. They poured their hearts into this season and put all their collective efforts into making the NCAA Tournament, and I believe they did that.”
WVU AD Wren Baker Calls NCAA Tournament Snub ‘Terrible Travesty’
“Heartbroken for WVU hoops. I can’t comprehend this team being left out. Our resume was better than several teams in the field and it’s a terrible travesty that we weren’t included. I have so much appreciation for Coach DeVries, our coaching staff and players. They deserved better than what the committee delivered today. Let’s rally around these young men and let them know how proud we are of them!,” Baker posted on social media.
