They took the four worst 16-seeds and made them play for two spots, and took the four best bubble teams and had them play for two spots. I guess it's an effort to improve the quality of teams in the tourney. In the old day your two winners of the bubble games are in the NIT, and two of your 16-seeds are 15-seeds. This way I guess they've found a way for a couple of additional teams with reasonable arguments to be in the tourney to get a chance to make it.