NCAA mistakenly told South Carolina it made tournament

Leaving South Carolina out of the NCAA tournament this year was one of the most questionable decisions made by the selection committee, according to many. And the decision just got more controversial.

NCAA vice president of men's basketball championships Dan Gavitt said in a statement released Thursday that the organization mistakenly informed South Carolina that it had made the NCAA tournament.

"Unfortunately, during the selection show, a junior men's basketball staff member mistakenly sent a text to a member of the University of South Carolina athletics department staff via an app we used for the first time during the 2016 tournament," Gavitt said. "The text was supposed to go to all teams, congratulating them for making the tournament. Regrettably, a text meant for another institution went to South Carolina instead."

Gavitt also apologized to head coach Frank Martin and the rest of the team.

"While the Gamecocks were given serious consideration, at no time during the selection process was South Carolina voted in to the field," Gavitt added. "Ultimately, they were one of the last four teams left out of the tournament. I take full responsibility for this clerical error and apologize to Coach Martin, his staff and team, and the entire University of South Carolina community."

Martin said shortly after the statement was released that he has already moved on.

"Even though the disappointment with being left out will never leave me I am past all that. I appreciate their honesty, transparency and understanding of everyone at South Carolina."

The Gamecocks had a record of 24-8 this season, but were passed over for the likes of Vanderbilt and Syracuse, which both managed 19 wins. The Commodores lost in the First Four and the Orange are still alive in the tournament.