Instead of our traditional game preview, we’re looking at the Battle 4 Atlantis at large ahead of Wednesday’s tip against Louisville at noon ET on ESPN.
Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s Battle 4 Atlantis:
The 2024 Battle 4 Atlantis begins tomorrow on the ESPN family of networks. Each of the eight teams in the field will play three games in three days in the Imperial Arena on Paradise Island in the Bahamas.
EVENT ESSENTIALS
This year’s Battle 4 Atlantis field includes Gonzaga, West Virginia, Indiana, Louisville, Oklahoma, Providence, Davidson and Arizona.
While the event is in its 13th season, this is Indiana’s first appearance. The Indiana women’s basketball program wrapped up play in Battle 4 Atlantis on Monday.
THE MATCHUPS
Day one matchups – Wednesday, November 27:
Indiana vs. Louisville – Noon ET on ESPN
West Virginia vs. Gonzaga – 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN or ESPN2
Oklahoma vs. Providence – 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2
Davidson vs. Arizona – 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2
Game times on Thursday are also set for noon ET, 2:30 p.m. ET, 5 p.m. ET and 7:30 p.m. If Indiana beats Louisville, it will play at noon ET on Thanksgiving Day on ESPN. If the Hoosiers fall to the Cardinals, they’ll play at 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
On Friday, the 7th/8th place game will tip at 11 a.m. ET on ESPN2 followed by the 3rd/4th place game at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN, the championship game at 5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN and the 5th/6th place game at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
THE FIELD
While the field suffered when it lost Creighton over the summer—the Bluejays are playing in the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas this week—there is still a strong group of teams on Paradise Island.
Here’s a little about each program participating:
Indiana – Picked to finish second in the Big Ten in the preseason “official unofficial” media poll, the Hoosiers have high expectations in Mike Woodson’s third season. Indiana landed a significant transfer portal haul, highlighted by Oumar Ballo, Myles Rice and Kanaan Carlyle.
The Hoosiers also return Trey Galloway, Malik Reneau and Mackenzie Mgbako, all significant contributors from last season. The trip to the Bahamas allows Indiana to boost its non-conference strength of schedule. Outside of Paradise Island, Indiana is playing just one game against a power conference foe outside of league play. It won that matchup 87-71…