Battle 4 Atlantis 2014: Basketball Tournament Preview, Prediction

By RantSports Staff

Battle 4 Atlantis 2014: Preview, Prediction

Florida Basketball — If you are a fan of college basketball, you are certainly going to be a fan of this tournament. Let's get right into it, shall we?

Teams Partaking in the 2014 Battle 4 Atlantis: Wisconsin Badgers, UAB Blazers, Florida Gators, Georgetown Hoyas, UCLA Bruins, Oklahoma Sooners, Butler Bulldogs, North Carolina Tar Heels.

Quick Notes: The Field is Stacked

UCLA Basketball

Quick Notes: The Field is Stacked

UCLA Basketball — Jumping right off the page is Wisconsin. After all, the team is ranked as high as No. 3. Florida and North Carolina also entered the season by being ranked in the top 10, so they are clearly other teams to watch out for. Oklahoma also entered the year by being ranked. With that said, the Sooners and Gators have already dropped a game. UCLA and Georgetown are also two big names in college hoops and could certainly make some noise in this tourney.

Dark Horse: Oklahoma Anyone?

Oklahoma Basketball

Dark Horse: Oklahoma Anyone?

Oklahoma Basketball — If head coach Brad Stevens was running the show, then I would have to go with the Butler Bulldogs. However, he is long gone. This year's Battle 4 Atlantis has some big boys in it, so I have to go with the Sooners as the dark horse (some dark horse, they entered the season by being ranked). Watch out for Buddy Hield and the rest of this Oklahoma squad; they went dancing last year.

Favorite: Badgers

USATSI_8205060_149008644_lowres copy

Favorite: Badgers

USATSI_8205060_149008644_lowres — The Badgers. There is no doubt about that one. I am sure North Carolina fans would say otherwise, but it is Wisconsin who entered the season by being ranked as high as No. 3, and made a run to the Final Four last season. They not only have the hype, but the results to back this one up. Frank Kaminsky, Sam Dekker and the rest of the team will certainly get everyone's best shot, but will that be good enough to knock off Wisconsin? Maybe, maybe not.

Best Player: Mr. Kaminsky

Frank Kaminsky Wisconsin

Best Player: Mr. Kaminsky

Frank Kaminsky Wisconsin — Let me think about that one ... Kaminsky. However, Florida has Chris Walker, and other talents. North Carolina has Marcus Paige, who was a preseason All-American. Kaminsky is a 7-footer who can score, rebound and drain threes, though. With that in mind, this field is stacked with future NBAers.

Prediction: A North Carolina vs. Wisconsin Final

Marcus Paige North Carolina

Prediction: A North Carolina vs. Wisconsin Final

Marcus Paige North Carolina — I'm going to go bold here: North Carolina and Wisconsin will meet in the championship. Okay, not bold at all, but what do you expect? Both have NBA talent all over the floor. In the end, I have to go with the Badgers, as Dekker and Kaminsky will be a handful. Plus, that whole experience thing is usually pretty important in college hoops, or any sport, for that matter.

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