Pretty big incentive, methinks.
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Note that this still might not affect which region they are in, only the site for the Round 1 & Round 2 games.
Using 2016 as an example, if KU could have picked it's starting point the following could have been possible.
Remember, KU actually started in
DES MOINES from where they could have been in either the South (actual regional, in Louisville) or the East (Philadelphia)
If KU could have chosen and chose
DENVER: both sub-region pods went to the Midwest (Chicago) (DING! DING! DING!)
OKC: would have been West (Anaheim)
ST LOUIS: they could have been either Midwest or East
RALEIGH: could have been Midwest or East
BROOKLYN: could have been South or East
PROVIDENCE: could have been South or West
SPOKANE: could have been South or West
Last year there were two options (Denver and OKC) where the team would have been guaranteed the regional site. I haven't researched to see how often that has happened, but if the #1 seed is fortunate it just might have a pod site pairing that would guarantee the desirable Regional Finals site for the winners.
I think we all agree that last year #1 seed KU would have chosen DENVER with both its pods tied to the Midwest Regional in Chicago.
Will be interesting to see how this plays out starting next year.
