Battle 4 Atlantis 2014: Teams, Schedule, Live Stream, Bracket, TV Info
No matter what team you root for, there is no early-season tournament in 2014 better than the Battle 4 Atlantis.
There are numerous events taking place around North America throughout the week, with each having its own unique storyline. However, no other tournament features as many top squads as the one in the Bahamas, including multiple teams truly believing they can contend for a championship.
If you want to watch Final Four-level action right away, you can either build a time machine to skip ahead to March or simply tune in to this tournament.
TOP NEWS
NCAA Tournament Expansion Official 🚨
.png?w=256 "NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Championship")
UConn's STACKED Schedule ☠️
Report: Biggest Spenders in Men's CBB 🤑
Here is a look at everything you need to know for the upcoming event.
| Nov. 26 | 1 | North Carolina vs. Butler | 12 p.m. | ESPN2 |
| Nov. 26 | 2 | UCLA vs. Oklahoma | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN2 |
| Nov. 26 | 3 | Wisconsin vs. UAB | 7 p.m. | AXS TV |
| Nov. 26 | 4 | Florida vs. Georgetown | 9:30 p.m. | AXS TV |
| Nov. 27 | 5 | Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner | 1 p.m. | ESPN |
| Nov. 27 | 6 | Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Winner | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Nov. 27 | 7 | Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser | 7 p.m. | AXS TV |
| Nov. 27 | 8 | Game 3 Loser vs. Game 4 Loser | 9:30 p.m. | AXS TV |
| Nov. 28 | 9 | Game 5 Loser vs. Game 6 Loser | 2 p.m. | ESPN |
| Nov. 28 | 10 | Game 5 Winner vs. Game 6 Winner | 4:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Nov. 28 | 11 | Game 7 Winner vs. Game 8 Winner | 8 p.m. | AXS TV |
| Nov. 28 | 12 | Game 7 Loser vs. Game 8 Loser | 10:30 p.m. | AXS TV |
Full bracket available at AtlantisBahamas.com. Select games can be viewed online at ESPN3.
Top Contenders
Florida
The biggest problem Florida is dealing with right now is a lack of depth as Billy Donovan deals with a few key missing players. Dorian Finney-Smith and Eli Carter are both dealing with injuries and could miss the entire tournament.
On the plus side, Chris Walker has returned from his suspension and will pair with Jon Horford to make a quality frontcourt tandem. According to Kevin Brockway of Gator Sports, the team has focused on improving the duo's chemistry:
Additionally, the backcourt remains talented with Kasey Hill ready to take over as a star point guard after learning from Scottie Wilbekin last season. With Michael Frazier bringing his experience and scoring ability, the starting lineup is still among the best in the nation.
While the Gators ran out of energy in a loss to Miami, Florida will try to combat this by slowing down the pace against faster opponents. This will keep the starters fresh and give them a chance to succeed against anyone in the closing minutes.
North Carolina
Marcus Paige is one of the best players in the nation and has a chance to cause serious damage on his own. Unlike last season, though, he has been getting a lot more help around him this year.
Kennedy Meeks has gotten himself into great shape, and he and Brice Johnson have become one of the better frontcourt tandems in the country. They do not have the versatility of Wisconsin’s frontcourt, but they can go after offensive boards and finish in the paint with great efficiency.
As J.P. Tokoto takes on more of a facilitating role, it allows Paige to be even better as a scorer where he can move around without the ball and create opportunities for himself.
Most importantly, the Tar Heels have as much depth as anyone at the Battle 4 Atlantis and will use that to their advantage by turning every game into a track meet. This could be what it takes to put the squad over the top in the Bahamas.
UCLA
Oklahoma and Georgetown also have a chance of making a deep run in this tournament, but UCLA will be a bigger threat to the favorites if it plays to its ability.
Although Steve Alford’s squad lost a lot of talent to the NBA this offseason, the next generation of players have raised their game. This includes the coach’s son, Bryce Alford, who is averaging 20 points and 9.8 assists per game. Norman Powell also appears to be a star in the making with 21.3 points per game.
The Bruins have showcased athleticism inside with Tony Parker and Kevon Looney, two forwards doing a great job of securing rebounds on both ends of the court and giving their team extra chances to score.
UCLA probably has the toughest path to the title of all the contenders at this event, and a lack of experience could end up hurting. However, the talent is there to keep winning against the top competition.
Predicted Winner: Wisconsin
Despite all of these quality teams challenging for a title, none of them have the complete package like Wisconsin.
The Badgers have some of the best individual players in the nation, such as Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker, two players who are a complete mismatch for anyone who tries to defend them.
Traevon Jackson and Nigel Hayes lead the group of complementary scorers, with everyone on the roster selfless with the ball and willing to pass to an open guy. Of course, that open player is very likely to be able to shoot an open three and make it.
With an efficient defense and an experienced returning lineup full of upperclassmen who went to the Final Four a year ago, Bo Ryan’s squad has everything it needs to get back to that level again this time around.
Most importantly, the squad has the discipline to avoid bad performances. Ryan discussed the fact that smart play beats talent to Reid Forgrave of Fox Sports:
"If I block you out after a shot is taken and I’m on defense, if I get my body between you and the rim, how much talent does that take? I didn’t have to jump high, I didn’t have to run fast. What I had to do was be disciplined enough mentally to put you in a position where you couldn’t beat me for that rebound. If I take care of the basketball and I don’t turn it over, I don’t have to be the greatest ballhandler in the world, but I have to be consistent and I have to be disciplined, I have to learn my angles, I have to learn height of the dribble around the pressure, little things like that.
"
Add the smart play to the talent on the roster, and the Badgers will go far this year. The run to a championship will start with a strong run through this loaded tournament as Wisconsin beats North Carolina in the finals.
Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter for the latest breaking news and analysis.
.png?w=480 "NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Championship")
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
