College Basketball: Ranking the Participants in the Battle 4 Atlantis

College basketball adds a new preseason tournament to its ranks this season with the first Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas.

In its first year, the tournament certainly doesn't boast the same level of quality in its field as the Maui Invitational or the Preseason NIT, but it is not a shabby field to start the inaugural tournament.

On Thanksgiving Day, the tournament will kick off. Who wins it? Who is going to be the easiest out? Who could make a deep run? It should be a great tournament.

Here are the eight teams ranked from weakest to strongest.

8. Utah

Record: 1-2

First-Round Opponent: Harvard

Utah has been downright terrible to start the season.

Losses to Boise State and Montana State have the Utes looking like the kick-around team in this tournament field.

They open against the Crimson, a team that is seen as a threat across the nation this season. After what should be a first-round loss, the Utes will probably end up falling in their consolation match-ups as well.

7. Central Florida

Record: 2-1

First-Round Opponent: College of Charleston

Central Florida could be a quick out in the Battle 4 Atlantis. The Knights have played a weak schedule thus far, with their two wins coming against St. Thomas University and High Point, while they got manhandled by fellow contestant Florida State.

UCF is led by Keith Clanton and Marcus Jordan, the son of the legend, His Airness himself. Each averages 16+ points per game, but the offense could be slowed down this weekend.

Paradise Island may not seem so much like paradise when the ball tips for the Knights.

6. UNC-Asheville

Record: 2-2

First-Round Opponent: Connecticut

Asheville had a lot of people rooting for them when they won a spot as a 16-seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Their schedule has been strange to start the season. They started off with a nine-point loss to NC State and a 16-point loss to North Carolina before blowing out two non-D1 schools.

They now have to play the national champions, and the odds of a trip to the Semifinals are slim.

The Bulldogs could get at least one win in the tournament, but it will come in the consolation rounds.

5. Massachusetts

Record: 4-0

First Round Opponent: Florida State

UMass have gotten off to a hot start with a 4-0 record and just obliterated Boston College, but compared to the rest of the field, they aren't exactly the best.

Chaz Williams' 17.3 points per game may not be enough to help the Minutemen get past the first round, but they will be a tough team in the consolation rounds.

4. Charleston

Record: 3-0

First Round Opponent: Central Florida

Charleston have been impressive so far this season, pulling off victories against Morehead State and Clemson in stylish fashion.

The Cougars got an easy draw against Central Florida and should have no problem getting to the semifinals. Unfortunately for them then, they will likely run into Connecticut.

Despite this, third place is not a stretch for Charleston in this tournament.

3. Harvard

Record: 3-0

First Round Opponent: Utah

Harvard has been deemed a dangerous team this season. They are the favorites in the Ivy League and are prepared to make a run in the NCAA Tournament if the opportunity arises.

They should easily get through the first round and could be a challenge for their semifinal opponent. If they make it to the championship, they could play UConn before another match-up with the Huskies on Dec. 8. Harvard may have a chance of providing a couple upsets and winning this tournament.

If the Crimson are to go deep, they'll need the likes of Colin McNally and Keith Wright to step it up a notch. Harvard have four players averaging double digits, but they will need those four players, particularly McNally and Wright, to rise to the occasion.

2. Florida State

Record: 4-0

First-Round Opponent: Massachusetts

The Seminoles enter the tournament ranked 22nd in the AP Poll and could make a run all the way to the title.

Florida State will need more offensive production from its top players, but getting past UMass and then likely Harvard into the Championship is very probable.

Look for the Seminoles to be one of the tougher teams down in the Bahamas.

1. Connecticut

Record: 4-0

First Round Opponent: UNC-Asheville

Especially given the rest of the field, its hard to doubt the fourth-ranked Huskies as the favorite to win the tournament.

The Huskies have been getting quality production out of quite a few different players. Jeremy Lamb and Shabazz Napier as expected have led the team and freshman DeAndre Daniels has put up numbers, but the likes of Tyler Olander and Niels Giffey have also put in good production.

The depth has been fantastic so far for the Huskies and should they make the championship, Ryan Boatright will be available, making the team even more dangerous.

They may need more out of big men Andre Drummond and Alex Oriakhi, who have had slow starts, but look for the Huskies to win in Paradise.