Date & Time: Wednesday November 26, 2014 @ 12:00pm EST
Location: Imperial Arena - Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas
TV/Radio: ESPN2 & ESPN3 (WatchESPN)/Tar Heel Sports Network
The spotlight will shine on the Bahamas this Thanksgiving season as the Battle 4 Atlantis gets underway Wednesday afternoon when the #5 North Carolina Tar Heels tangle with the Butler Bulldogs. These teams are part of a talented-laden group of clubs vying for the early season championship. As impressive as any opening tournaments, the Battle 4 Atlantis hosts four squads (out of 8) that are currently ranked in the Top 25. Five of the eight teams come to the Bahamas holding unbeaten records and all the teams combined have a 21-4 win/loss record. There is a buzz around the islands this weekend because many believe some Final Four foreshadowing will be on display.
Carolina (3-0, 0-0 ACC) arrives in the Bahamas looking to build upon its unblemished start to the young season. The Heels have dominated its competition mainly on the backs of its big men in the paint. Kennedy Meeks has had his way with opposing frontcourts by throwing his frame around (a more toned and muscular frame, mind you) and averaging a solid double-double for the season. His 16.7 ppg and 11.0 rpg lead the team in both categories and Meeks' ability to get in the passing lanes and run the court have been better than advertised.
Adding to the depth and skill downlow, Brice Johnson has been side by side with Meeks as the dynamic duo inside. Johnson averages 14.7 ppg along with 7.7 boards and will need to stay out of foul trouble in order to give Carolina a better chance at beating the Bulldogs. Senior superstar Marcus Paige (12.0 ppg) and freshman sensation Justin Jackson (13.3 ppg) are two more examples that UNC is stock full of talent this year. The Tar Heels will attempt to jump-start its perimeter shooting (only 27.3%), which will need more consistency if Carolina intends to contend for a National Championship. Besides Paige, the Heels have not had anyone else step forward as of yet, but Jackson, Nate Britt, and freshman Theo Pinson have shown brief signs of coming around.
Adding to the depth and skill downlow, Brice Johnson has been side by side with Meeks as the dynamic duo inside. Johnson averages 14.7 ppg along with 7.7 boards and will need to stay out of foul trouble in order to give Carolina a better chance at beating the Bulldogs. Senior superstar Marcus Paige (12.0 ppg) and freshman sensation Justin Jackson (13.3 ppg) are two more examples that UNC is stock full of talent this year. The Tar Heels will attempt to jump-start its perimeter shooting (only 27.3%), which will need more consistency if Carolina intends to contend for a National Championship. Besides Paige, the Heels have not had anyone else step forward as of yet, but Jackson, Nate Britt, and freshman Theo Pinson have shown brief signs of coming around.
Butler (3-0, 0-0 Big East) arrives on the islands in a state of coaching flux and with a desire to improve from its disappointing 14-17 season a year ago. From the outside looking in, one could never tell of the coaching mix-up because it has made the game look easy against its early season competition. Led by Interim Coach Chris Holtmann (in place of Brandon Miller who has been on medical leave since October), the Bulldogs have two 40-point victories already against inferior opponents, but it provides insight into the team's efficiency and effectiveness in shooting the ball. Butler is making baskets at a torrid pace, converting on 93 of 166 field goals (a smoking 56%) with a 3-point FG pct of 48.9% (a whole 21 percentage points higher than North Carolina). Carolina's depth gets so much attention by the college basketball media; however, Butler's depth should not be overlooked. The Bulldogs have seven different players that have scored in double-figures in a game this season. Junior Kellen Dunham leads the charge averaging 19.0 ppg (ranks second in the Big East in that category) and has scored in double-digits in all three games the Bulldogs have played this season. Dunham led the Bulldogs in scoring last year and he is picking up where he left off with big games versus Maine and Chattanooga so far this year. He is a threat from anywhere on the court, shooting 58.1% from the field and 66.7% from 3-pt range. Also, coming on strong is freshman Kelan Martin, breaking out for a career-high 23 points in Butler's last victory over Loyola Maryland. The 1-2 punch of Dunham and Martin will serve as a true challenge for Carolina defenders as the Heels try to rope in these two very gifted athletes.
Both teams sport that one essential, versatile player on the roster that is crucial to game flow and game control. UNC brings J.P. Tokoto to the fight as Butler is happy to have Roosevelt Jones back in its lineup (missed 2013-204 season with a wrist injury). These two players display an all-around game that may not get the press that it deserves, but their on-the-court athleticism and decision-making are assets any team in the country would love to have. Both Juniors, Tokoto fills up the stat sheet (averaging 8.3 ppg, 5 rpg, 6 apg) while Jones cards 10.7 ppg along with 7.3 apg and 2.0 steal/game). While Tokoto enters the lineup as a Forward and Jones plays as a Guard, both athletes possess a knack of knowing how to deliver the ball to the right spots and defend their positions at the highest level. Tokoto may get the slight edge in athleticism as J.P. has been known to showcase his repertoire of finishing moves around the rim (ie. patented monster dunks).
Carolina and Butler have met four times before with the series being tied 2-2. The Bulldogs won the last matchup, 82-71, in the semifinals of the Maui Invitational two years ago on Nov. 20, 2012. The winner of this game will face the winner of the #22 UCLA/Oklahoma game and that contest will be played on Thanksgiving, Thursday (Nov. 27). The tournament will conclude on Friday (Nov. 28).
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