The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

IN its third official edition, the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament has established a reputation as an event loaded with high-calibre talent playing against the backdrop of a tropical paradise.

Coaches and players from this year’s eight-team field have already turned in rave reviews of the tournament, their adjustment to the new ‘Imperial Arena’ at Atlantis and the Bahamas itself.

This year’s tournament favourites are the Kansas Jayhawks, ranked No 2 in both the USA Today Coaches and Associated Press polls.

“We’re happy and proud to be a part of this tournament. We’re certainly happy to be part of paradise and are looking forward to what we think will be a very competitive, great basketball weekend,” Jayhawks’ head coach Bill Self said.

The Jayhawks, who opened the tournament with a 87-78 win over Wake Forest in the quarterfinals, travelled with approximately 2,000 fans and their spirit squad, giving them somewhat of a “home-court advantage” among the other teams.

“I think the arena is great. I think it’s a part of the excitement of these tournaments,” Self said. “A lot of the time, you play in smaller venues and this one, I think it’s really cool. I think it will be amazing just how intense and how loud and what a factor the crowd can play in this arena. I would think that this is probably as competitive a field as any of the early season tournaments would be, anywhere. I think the powers that be did a great job at putting together a field that at the end of the year everyone will look and have something where all teams will get something out of it.”

Kansas forward Tarik Black became the second player in tournament history to make consecutive appearances at Battle 4 Atlantis.

Black transferred to Kansas from the Memphis Tigers, who finished in seventh position in last year’s tournament.

“It’s a different type of feel, since it’s in a ballroom and not a big gym like we’re used to playing in. We’ll make the adjustment and do what we have to do,” he said. “I’m definitely excited to be here again. It’s a chance to do things a little bit differently and hopefully come out of here with victories. This is a brand new season, a new time for me and a new time for a new team that is very talented and can come out of here with a championship.”

Meanwhile, in their little bit of free time, the players are enjoying what Atlantis has to offer.

“Atlantis is an amazing place,” said Cedrick Laing of the University of Texas at El Paso. “We have time to do fun activities, but we’re just here for business.”