Confused by NCAA play-in games

[Big Turk]

So I get why there are 2 16 seeds in a play-in game, but why the heck are there 11 and 12 seeds in a play-in game??

 

How does it make sense one of these teams is out but a lower seeded team is in automatically??

[DD4Bills]

The 4 play-in games (technically "first four" games) are made up of 2 16 vs 16 games, an 11 vs 11 game, and a 12 vs 12 game. When play-in games first started around 2000, when the Mountain West (?) conference was formed increasing the number of automatic bids by one, it was only the 16s that played it. Games were low rated (who watches two 16s play other than family and alumni? Plus, other than UMBC knocking off Virginia a few years ago, no 16 seed has ever beat a higher seed).

 

Adding 11/12s to the play-in schedule, more specifically the 4 lowest rated at-large teams, best as I can guess was done to give more deserving bubble teams a shot, since prior to this the addition of the Mountain West took away one at-large bid. Adding 11/12s to the play-in schedule also attracts more interest and TV viewers, since those teams do have legitimate shots at going deeper into the tournament. 

 

Short answer - money

 

[May Day 10]

Also, I have heard that certain teams/programs like being in this game because it gives them an opportunity for another game/more exposure... and also gives a team a better chance to win a tournament game as opposed to 1-and-done against a much higher seed.

[Steve O]

On 3/16/2022 at 7:48 PM, Big Turk said:

So I get why there are 2 16 seeds in a play-in game, but why the heck are there 11 and 12 seeds in a play-in game??

 

How does it make sense one of these teams is out but a lower seeded team is in automatically??

The 13-16 seeds are dominated by small conference tournament champions that get automatic bids. Without the first 4 game, 2 of the 11/12 seeds would not make the tournament and the 13-16 seeds would remain the same (none of those teams would be bumped in favor of the team that didn't make the first 4 game.) The  11-12 play-in games are typically teams that were either finish in the middle of a major conference or a small conference team that won their regular season but lost in conference tournament. Interestingly, since moving to 68 teams in 2011 there has only been one season where the winner of one of the 11/12 first 4 games didn't win at least one game. 5 times that team has gone on to the sweet 16 and twice to the final 4.