Emotional Buzz Williams blasts NCAA selection committee for excluding Texas A&M

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Texas A&M coach Buzz Williams began his postgame news conference Tuesday night with a lengthy statement in which he decried the Aggies exclusion from the NCAA tournament as something that defies logic.

The comments came on the heels of the 74-62 win over Alcorn State in the opening round of the NIT for the Aggies, who earned a No. 1 seed as one of the first four teams left out of the NCAA tournament.

Williams said that they were and are completely devastated and devastated.

Coach Williams' opening statement after tonight's win over Alcorn State: pic.twitter.com/I4vKIBOr4Z

— Texas A&M Basketball (@aggiembk) March 16, 2022

Texas A&M won its first three games in the SEC tournament, but fell to Tennessee in the conference title game. Texas A&M had played its way into the NCAA tournament with three wins in Florida.

In the wake of the SEC tournament, Williams said he spent hours poring over data and trying to understand how those 12 SEC competition-only wins weren't enough, while knowing that the four teams in the SEC that won more than the Aggies were awarded. He focused his research on the selection committee itself, its members, how they are appointed, their career paths, meeting frequencies and topics of discussion.

I wanted to study it all with the lens they use, so that I could better understand how we did this season. I wanted this understanding so I could have an explanation for our players, their parents and coaches, and be accountable in my relationship with each of them.

It defies logic that we are not in the NCAA tournament, after studying all this nonstop the last two days.

Williams said that despite repeated pleas, he has been given only generalities by those above him, causing him to lose all respect and faith in the system.

Williams stated that what has transpired is wrong.

Williams became emotional at times while reading his statement, particularly when referencing the players who decided to stay at Texas A&M with their extra year of eligibility that was granted due to the Pandemic.

The process is flawed, and it is apparent that there is a lot more that is not known to the public.

Williams gave reporters copies of his research summary.

The report was contributed to by the Associated Press.