In a stunning turn of events, the Virginia Cavaliers suffered a humiliating defeat in the NCAA men's tournament, raising questions about their controversial selection by the committee. The Cavaliers' dismal performance against the Colorado State Rams on Tuesday, resulting in a resounding 67-42 loss, has left many critics pointing fingers at those responsible for inviting the team.

The committee's decision to include Virginia in the tournament field is being heavily criticized, as the team's poor record and underwhelming metrics should have flagged them as an unworthy contender. Despite being ranked at a lowly 54th in the NET rankings, the committee extended an at-large bid to the Cavaliers, making them the lowest-ranked team to receive such an invitation this year.

Numerous alternative teams, such as the Indiana State Sycamores and the St. John's Red Storm, boasted significantly higher rankings in both the NET and KenPom metrics, hinting at a possible oversight by the selection committee. However, it remains unclear whether conference biases played a role in the committee's choices.

Virginia's recent performance leading up to the tournament should have been another red flag. With a mediocre record of 4-5 in their last nine games and a lackluster showing in the ACC tournament, the Cavaliers seemed to be heading in the wrong direction. Yet, the committee turned a blind eye to these warning signs and opted to include them.

Perhaps even more concerning were the numerous lopsided losses the Cavaliers endured throughout the season. Defeats against teams like Wisconsin, Memphis, Notre Dame, NC State, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, and Duke showcased Virginia's inability to compete at a high level consistently. The fact that most of these teams failed to secure a spot in the NCAA tournament raises further doubts about the committee's decision-making process.

Virginia's style of play, characterized by a slow tempo and inefficient offense, did not help their case either. With an offensive efficiency ranking of 211th nationally and a last-place standing in tempo, the Cavaliers failed to captivate casual fans, contrasting sharply with teams like Indiana State, known for their exciting and fast-paced basketball.

Additionally, history has not been kind to Virginia in recent tournaments. Aside from their triumphant 2019 national championship run, the Cavaliers have faced a series of disappointments and early exits. These include the historic upset by UMBC in 2018, a first-round loss to Ohio as a No. 4 seed in 2021, and a first-round loss to Furman as a No. 4 seed last year. These failures, coupled with the abysmal performance against Colorado State, only reinforce the notion that Virginia has struggled to perform on the big stage.

The fallout from this latest debacle raises serious questions about the credibility and decision-making process of the NCAA men's tournament selection committee. The committee's failure to recognize more deserving teams and its inconsistent evaluation of metrics and performance have drawn widespread criticism. As the tournament progresses, the spotlight will remain on Virginia and the committee members who gave them the opportunity to disappoint once again.