I wouldn't be quite so dramatic, they didn't just "let us in" we didn't do much to earn it. But neither did any of the other teams that were hanging out on the bubble, which is why they were on the bubble. When you break it all down they let in the correct "last four in."
First four out TCU, Ohio, USC and Arkansas all had more reasons to be out than we did.
TCU was 10-8 in the BIG 12, WVU ended up going 11-7 and they were out for sure. They weren't going to let TCU in after finishing 6th in that league and losing in the quarters, they needed to make at least the semi-finals to have a chance.
Ohio had their chance but they lost in the MAC final, Central Michigan was getting a bid regardless and the MAC wasn't going to get 3 teams in, just not possible for that league.
USC was 17-13 on the season and 7-11 in the PAC-12, they were hovering based on SOS alone, they certainly didn't "earn" it either.
Arkansas was too little, too late. Losing 8 of their last 9 in league play killed any chance they had, even with the deep SEC tournament run.
UT didn't do anything to earn it either, but they did just a little more than other bubble teams. None of the final 10 or so teams really "earn" it, they just get in on default based on numbers games.