In the previous four years, five teams with an RPI ranking at or above No. 16 have been passed over as Regional hosts in the NCAA Tournament.
Houston, at No. 17 in the RPI, was selected over No. 16 Virginia in 2017 in no small part because the Cougars won the American Athletic Conference Tournament championship.
Coastal Carolina was No. 12 in the RPI on Selection Monday in 2016, but were not given a hosting spot due to a 7-8 record against the top-50.
Sometimes a team that happens to be below No. 16 has a resume better than a team above No.