NCAA Tournament top seed to pick location for first two rounds

The NCAA men’s basketball tournament is the main source of revenue for the association, netting millions on an annual basis from the association’s television partners.

Starting this upcoming season, the top overall seed in the tournament will be able to choose the location for its first- and second-round games in the tournament, the Division I men’s basketball committee announced on Monday.

The team will pick from eight assigned cities, ESPN reports.

The first- and second-round NCAA Tournament sites this year will be Buffalo, Greensboro, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Orlando, Sacramento, Salt Lake City and Tulsa. I don’t want to be a #Disloyalidiot, but predicting Syracuse to be the number one overall seed next season seems far-fetched. If Duke is in contention for a top seed next year, for example, the Blue Devils would likely choose to begin the tournament in Greensboro, and then play its regional games in New York City.

Acting on another NABC recommendation, the NCAA committee said it would support revising the current ranking system used in the selection and seeding.

“The ad hoc group includes great and experienced coaches from across the country, former members of the Men’s Basketball Committee and NABC administrators who offer valuable input”, said Dan Gavitt, the NCAA’s vice president of men’s basketball.

A big change is coming for the NCAA Tournament next March. It will do so again in 2017, from March 7-12. Contenders now will be able to share their preferences with the NCAA tournament selection committee in advance.

The NABC ad hoc group also recommended that quality wins, overall and non-league strength of schedule and road/neutral wins remain primary criteria in selecting and seeding the NCAA tournament field.