Battle for Atlantis 2012

[Rouser]

As Bleed statedin the Maui Classic thread, we will be playing in the Bahama's next year. I read on a Louisville message board that Louisville, Duke and Missouri are also confirmed.. Sounds a a great field. The 2013 Maui field looks good as well. I highly recommend that folks travel to one of these events. We went to the Puerto Rico Tip Off last year and it was great. Its fun chatting with other hoops fans around the resorts/town and then you can catch some sun/waves, followed by tropical drinks followed by Gopher hoops. Doesn't suck.

[SelectionSunday]

Thanks Rouser. Looks like Memphis is in the Battle 4 Atlantis, too. The field should stack right up there with Maui. I thought I heard somewhere that the Battle 4 is now the highest paying exempt tournament. Pretty sure UConn got $1 million to commit to the inaugural this season.

[Rouser]

The Battle for Atlantis and Maui events will really test the Gophers. The good news is that our backcourt looks to be solid over the next several years. Even if there is a season where the front court is in flux, good guard play can skate us by... And by a strong backcourt, I am assuming continued improvement. Its hard to argue that Austin Hollins has not improved a lot and by next year, I see him as one of the better guards in the big ten. Andre is also improving game to game. If Big Moe can recover by next year, we should be a decent squad and tough out.

[Holy Man]

How much does it cost to fly to the Bahamas, presumably around Thanksgiving? 2013 Maui may be impossible because of schedule, but the Bahamas might be a nice consolation prize. I agree that the early season tournamants are a great way to see hoops in a casual atmosphere without a lot of front running fans around.

[PeanutButterGopherTime]

How much does it cost to fly to the Bahamas, presumably around Thanksgiving? 2013 Maui may be impossible because of schedule, but the Bahamas might be a nice consolation prize. I agree that the early season tournamants are a great way to see hoops in a casual atmosphere without a lot of front running fans around.

Depending on exact day of the week of the flight I think it ranges from $650-$750 round trip per person.

[Monty519]

That's a stacked field, should be exciting to be a part of as long as this team continues to grow and get better.

[anonymous]

Maui is unbelieveable. The gym is tiny. It's super close to the ocean. You can lounge by the pool or walk the beach in the morning, watch ball in the afternoon and go out for dinner in Lahiana in the evening.

The place is fantastic.

[Blizzard]

Does anyone know the name of the tour operator that schedules trips with the Gophers?

I'm wondering if they'll do this one.

[BigGopherFan]

The Battle for Atlantis and Maui events will really test the Gophers. The good news is that our backcourt looks to be solid over the next several years. Even if there is a season where the front court is in flux, good guard play can skate us by... And by a strong backcourt, I am assuming continued improvement. Its hard to argue that Austin Hollins has not improved a lot and by next year, I see him as one of the better guards in the big ten. Andre is also improving game to game. If Big Moe can recover by next year, we should be a decent squad and tough out.

That's an excellent post. But I'm not sure I agree with the statement that Austin will be one of the best guards in the conference next season. Based on what? Four games against vastly inferior competition. I think he has improved since last season no doubt, but to proclaim him "one of the best" by next season may be a bit premature. Michigan alone had two players more skilled than him right now and then there is Craft from Ohio state and all of Illinois# guards and Gasser from Sconny. Nebraska has a transfer from LSU that's lights out too.

[Difalo]

Creative Charters is the company
They will do Atlantis and Maui Trips

[FairfaxGopher]

Saw the field on the VCU board, where Im currently a student - it's pretty stacked, and glad my two favorite teams will be there.

2012 Battle 4 Atlantis:

Duke
Minnesota
Louisville (apparently withdrew from 2012 Maui to play here)
Northern Iowa
Stanford
Missouri
Memphis
VCU

Don't know how well the other teams will be then (besides Duke of course) but VCU will lose one senior (Bradford Burgess) from this year's squad.Also we're over the scholarship limit for next year, so expecting one player to walk. First time playing Tubby since he coached here! Should be a great tournament, hoping to make it there and support the Gophers and Rams

[CrocShots]

Andy Katz tweeted it out earlier..... That field is absurd.

The 2 mil a pop is real nice too.

[GopherNation]

No way!! I'm definitely going to this. Can we get tickets yet?

[burton34]

That's an excellent post. But I'm not sure I agree with the statement that Austin will be one of the best guards in the conference next season. Based on what? Four games against vastly inferior competition. I think he has improved since last season no doubt, but to proclaim him "one of the best" by next season may be a bit premature. Michigan alone had two players more skilled than him right now and then there is Craft from Ohio state and all of Illinois# guards and Gasser from Sconny. Nebraska has a transfer from LSU that's lights out too.

Maybe if you read his post again you'd see that it says BETTER guards in the big ten, not best guards.

[Pewterschmidt]

Saw the field on the VCU board, where Im currently a student - it's pretty stacked, and glad my two favorite teams will be there.

2012 Battle 4 Atlantis:

Duke
Minnesota
Louisville (apparently withdrew from 2012 Maui to play here)
Northern Iowa
Stanford
Missouri
Memphis
VCU

Don't know how well the other teams will be then (besides Duke of course) but VCU will lose one senior (Bradford Burgess) from this year's squad.Also we're over the scholarship limit for next year, so expecting one player to walk. First time playing Tubby since he coached here! Should be a great tournament, hoping to make it there and support the Gophers and Rams

This isn't the first time someone has stated we're over the scholarship limit next year. Someone please explain this to me: We lose Trevor and Ralph. We're bringing in Buggs and Ellenson. We lose 2. We gain 2. Is there some sort of silent verbal I don't know about?

As for the tourney, very nice field. Don't want Minnesota to play Duke but if it happens, it happens. I'm pretty sure Duke, Lousville, and Memphis will be top 25 teams.

I read somewhere that Louisville worked something out with the Maui folks where they postpone their involvement in that tourney until 2014.

[Gopher in Texas]

This isn't the first time someone has stated we're over the scholarship limit next year. Someone please explain this to me: We lose Trevor and Ralph. We're bringing in Buggs and Ellenson. We lose 2. We gain 2. Is there some sort of silent verbal I don't know about?

As for the tourney, very nice field. Don't want Minnesota to play Duke but if it happens, it happens. I'm pretty sure Duke, Lousville, and Memphis will be top 25 teams.

I read somewhere that Louisville worked something out with the Maui folks where they postpone their involvement in that tourney until 2014.

I think FairfaxGopher is referring to VCU being one over the scholarship limit.

With the stacked lineup - how is the tournament seeding done (is it seeded)? Would prefer not to play Duke the first game.

[shickmyjanski]

I would love to see a Duke Gophers game. Maybe even Dickie V would do the broadcast. I would love to see that.

[scher215]

I would love to see a Duke Gophers game. Maybe even Dickie V would do the broadcast. I would love to see that.

He would explode trying to decide if he should bias towards duke or tubby smith.

[MadtownGopher]

He would explode trying to decide if he should bias towards duke or tubby smith.

Nothing trumps Dukie V's love of Coach K and the Blue Devils.

[gophersfan]

I would love to see a Duke Gophers game. Maybe even Dickie V would do the broadcast. I would love to see that.

hate to tell you this. But you won't see Dickie V on the game, if things are were they this year. the Tourney will be on NBC Sports Network (Versus) and HDNet.