With Single City Location, NCAA Changes Its Seeding Formula For March Madness

Now that this year's NCAA March Madness is set to play every game in Indiana, the Division I Mens's Basketball Committee is changing its bracket set up. Instead of allowing proximity to the play site determine seeding, the seeding will follow an "S-curve" method.

With the current restrictions on fan attendance, there's no real reason to worry about fan travel. This is probably the right move.

In a normal year, the No. 1 overall seed wouldn't be grouped "regionally" with the No. 2 or 3 seeds. Geographic proximity would normally play a major role in bracket placement, but now it's no longer a factor.

Long story short: March Madness is about to be insanity.

NCAA senior vice president Dan Gavitt shared his thoughts:

"As the committee discussed this topic, it became clear that the S-curve bracketing option makes the most sense, given the unique circumstances with which this tournament will be played," Gavitt said in his release. “In a normal year, bracketing is done with consideration given to keeping as many teams as close to their campus as possible, reducing team travel and providing as many fans as possible an opportunity to watch their favorite teams participate in The Big Dance. But this year only, with the entire tournament being played in Indiana, the committee believes this different approach is optimal.”

The NCAA plans to hold the same 68-team tournament per usual, which begins on Selection Sunday March 14 with the national title game April 5.

Turns out the games will be played at multiple venues in Indianapolis that are just a short drive from one another.

Here's the full S-curve method

The NCAA needs the most competitive March Madness possible with the absence of fans. Without them, matchups further in the tournament will heavily effect their profits more than ever. Frustrating to see changes to anything about college hoops, but this one makes sense.