This Thanksgiving season, college basketball fans are preparing to enjoy the long-awaited holiday tournaments, held in beautiful locations. The festivities were evident last Saturday when Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo looked animated on the sideline during the Spartans’ matchup against Bowling Green in East Lansing, Michigan.
Lea Miller-Tooley was busy hosting the Baylor women’s basketball team as they arrived at the luxurious Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas. With temperatures hovering around 27 degrees Celsius, the Bears enjoyed the tropical paradise just days before Thanksgiving.
Meanwhile, more than 8,000 kilometers away, teams participating in the Maui Invitational were greeted with traditional Hawaiian leis upon arriving in the idyllic landscapes of Hawaii. It’s that time of year again, when college basketball takes center stage, offering exciting matchups and non-stop coverage that warms the hearts of fans and teams during the cold days of November.
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“When you catch a glimpse of ESPN’s ‘Banquet Week’ or Battle 4 Atlantis, it’s like a signal has been sent: college basketball is back in action!” exclaimed Miller-Tooley, the visionary behind the events of Battle 4 Atlantis. “With the NFL, college football and NBA in full swing, these amazing tournaments in stunning venues serve as a call for fans to get excited about the return of basketball.”
Known as the pioneer of multi-team events (MTE), the Great Alaska Shootout set the stage nearly 50 years ago when its founder, Bob Rachal, sought to raise his team’s profile by inviting prestigious shows. This ingenious strategy took advantage of NCAA rules that allow teams to exceed regular-season game limits if they participate in tournaments held outside the contiguous United States. The inaugural Sea Wolf Classic took place on November 26, 1978, where NC State emerged victorious over Louisville with a score of 72-66.
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The Maui Invitational followed suit in November 1984, inspired by Chaminade’s upset victory over No. 1-ranked Virginia in an earlier season. A series of exciting warm-weather tournaments soon emerged, including the Paradise Jam in the US Virgin Islands, the Cancun Challenge in Mexico, and several others spread across Florida and beyond. While some tournaments like the Puerto Rico Tipoff and even the Great Alaska Shootout have fallen into disuse, their legacy lives on in newer events.
After tireless effort by Miller-Tooley, the Atlantis event began as a doubleheader in December 2010, featuring Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech alongside Richmond and Mississippi State. This pivotal moment established the tournament’s credibility, necessitating changes to NCAA regulations to facilitate MTEs in the Bahamas, which were approved in March 2011. The first eight-team men’s tournament was launched the following November, quickly winning recognition with illustrious champions like Villanova (2017) and Virginia (2018), who later claimed NCAA titles.
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The games take place in a converted hall at the resort, where players can also enjoy the magnificent pools and slides among palm trees, creating memories that go beyond basketball. “For many of these young athletes, this trip represents a unique opportunity that they may not have again,” Miller-Tooley said. “It is an invaluable experience that opens their eyes to the world beyond their hometowns.”
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ACC Network analyst and Louisville alumnus Luke Hancock shared this sentiment, recalling his own experience at the Atlantis tournament in 2012. “I remember our coach emphasizing the rarity of this opportunity, making sure we enjoyed every moment, even when we treat it like a business trip,” said the 2012 Final Four MVP.
Likewise, Maui provides teams with unforgettable vibes, although the 2024 event may differ as Lahaina continues its recovery from the devastating 2023 wildfires. North Carolina assistant Sean May, a member of two championship teams NCAA’s iconic Maui Tournament recalled the tranquility of the island amid the basketball madness and the exciting outings to the ocean after title victories.
Colorado coach Tad Boyle is especially excited about his Buffaloes’ first appearance in Maui since 2009, stating, “We’ve been looking forward to getting into this tournament for years. The warm weather is definitely a plus, especially for teams from colder regions!” Terrence Oglesby, a former Clemson player, noted that schools in the Northeast would prefer to escape the cold weather for some sunshine this time of year.
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The Baha Mar Men’s Championship kicked off action last week, when No. 11-ranked Tennessee triumphed over No. 13-ranked Baylor to claim the title. With an exciting week ahead, fans can expect matchups that resonate with the potential of March Madness as teams settle in after their opening nights.
On the women’s side, Atlantis opened its fourth eight-team tournament featuring No. 16-ranked North Carolina and No. 18-ranked Baylor, while nearby Baha Mar hosted two women’s brackets featuring powerhouses like UConn, ranked No. 2, and LSU, ranked No. 7.
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As the Maui Invitational celebrates its 40th anniversary, it makes a grand return this Monday, with star-studded lineups including two-time national champion UConn, No. 4-ranked Auburn, No. 5-ranked Iowa State, and No. 10-ranked North Carolina. The Battle 4 Atlantis will begin its 13th men’s tournament on Wednesday with heavyweights No. 3-ranked Gonzaga, No. 16-ranked Indiana and No. 16-ranked Arizona. ranked No. 17 in the mix.
Michigan State Hall of Famer Tom Izzo, making his fourth trip to Maui, emphasized the importance of these tournaments in the college basketball landscape, stating, “They inject excitement into the first part of the season.”
However, Izzo humorously acknowledged the challenge ahead, nonchalantly noting: “It’s a 10-hour flight to Hawaii, after all.”
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With the help of AP sports writers Pat Graham and Larry Lage, this year’s holiday tournaments promise to be unforgettable. As the college basketball season heats up, fans can stay informed with updates and alerts on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here.
2024-11-24 21:08:00