Lea Miller-Tooley stepped off a call to greet the Baylor women’s basketball team upon their arrival at the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas. With temperatures reaching 80 degrees, the Bears quickly acclimated to the tropical setting just days before Thanksgiving.
Similarly, on the other side of the world, teams participating in the Maui Invitational men’s tournament are enjoying Hawaii’s warm climate. They often receive traditional Hawaiian leis upon arrival, symbolizing friendship and hospitality.
This time of year excites fans and college basketball teams alike, as holiday tournaments ignite the season. While these events promise thrilling matchups and extensive television coverage, they also create a sense of nostalgic familiarity, effectively countering the chill of November. For over 40 years, these beachside tournaments have established themselves as cherished fixtures of college basketball culture.
“When ESPN’s ‘Feast Week’ rolls around and you spot the Battle 4 Atlantis, it signals that college basketball has returned,” stated Miller-Tooley, who is the organizer and founder of the men’s and women’s tournaments at Atlantis. “During a packed sports schedule filled with the NFL, college football, and the NBA, these stunning events in beautiful locales make fans realize it’s time to get excited about basketball.”
The multi-team event, or MTE, started nearly five decades ago with the Great Alaska Shootout, devised by the late Bob Rachal, coach at Alaska-Anchorage. The tournament aimed to elevate the visibility of his program by inviting powerhouse teams to gather, utilizing NCAA rules that allowed them to exceed regular-season game limits by participating in an out-of-state tournament.
The inaugural event, named the Sea Wolf Classic, culminated on November 26, 1978, when N.C. State triumphed over Louisville 72-66.
The Maui Invitational followed in 1984, inspired by Chaminade’s stunning victory against top-ranked Virginia and superstar Ralph Sampson just two years prior in Hawaii.
Other tournaments quickly emerged in warm regions, like the Paradise Jam in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Cancun Challenge in Mexico, and the Cayman Islands Classic, among others. While some events, such as the Puerto Rico Tipoff and the Great Alaska Shootout, have since disappeared due to competition and a shift toward warmer environments, others have continued to flourish.
Miller-Tooley’s vision for the Atlantis MTE gained momentum with a December 2010 doubleheader, featuring Georgia Tech defeating Richmond and Virginia Tech overcoming Mississippi State. This was pivotal in proving the tournament’s worth, which led to changes in NCAA legislation allowing MTEs to be hosted in the Bahamas. By March 2011, approval was granted, and the first eight-team men’s tournament was held in November.
The Atlantis tournament quickly gained prestige, attracting renowned teams. Villanova and Virginia, the champions in 2017 and 2018 respectively, later secured NCAA titles that same season. Games take place in a converted ballroom at the resort, where student-athletes also enjoy expansive swimming pools, thrilling water slides, and inner-tube rapids amidst palms and the Atlantic breeze.
“The experience of getting your passport stamped is timeless,” Miller-Tooley reflected. “For many of these players, this might be their sole opportunity to travel outside the U.S. You can see the enchantment in their eyes as they immerse themselves in this incredible experience.”
Luke Hancock, an analyst for ACC Network, has similar memories of his time at Atlantis, having competed with Louisville in 2012 and earned the title later vacated that year. Hancock recalls Coach Rick Pitino emphasizing the unique opportunity they had, praising the exceptional setting and encouraging the team to relish their time together despite being “on a business trip.”
Maui offers a comparable appeal; however, the tournament’s 2024 edition may differ due to the repercussions of the 2023 wildfires in Lahaina, which forced a change in venue. Sean May, an assistant coach for North Carolina, took part in the program’s 2004 Maui victory and was on staff during the 2016 win, both seasons culminating in NCAA championships. He cherishes the serene atmosphere of Maui, even while competing, and reminisces about the team bonding experiences after the championship.
“Teams like ours, along with Duke and UConn, prefer well-organized events,” May noted. “Maui and Lea Miller’s Battle 4 Atlantis exemplify this, leading to teams returning year after year, knowing they’ll experience top-tier organization and preparation.”
The anticipation for the Buffaloes’ first appearance in the Maui Invitational since 2009 is palpable for coach Tad Boyle. “We’ve been trying to get into the tournament since I arrived here,” he said, reflecting on his 15-year tenure.
And, of course, the enticing warm weather compels teams as well. Terrence Oglesby, an NBA and college analyst, shared his own experiences in the 2007 San Juan Invitational and emphasized that teams want a brief break from the winter chill, especially in January and February.
The men’s Baha Mar Championship commenced the festivities last week, culminating in No. 11 Tennessee’s victory over No. 13 Baylor for the title. Upcoming matchups promise to showcase potential Final Four contenders, with many teams having two weeks to refine their strategies since any initial-season hurdles.
“It’s a remarkable beginning to the college basketball season,” Oglesby commented. “It’s the thrill without any lingering rust.”
On the women’s side, Atlantis launched its fourth eight-team tournament with matchups featuring No. 16 North Carolina against No. 18 Baylor. The Baha Mar resort nearby will host two additional women’s brackets, including top-ranked teams like No. 2 UConn and No. 7 LSU.
The Maui Invitational also celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, opening on Monday in Lahaina, featuring powerhouse contenders such as two-time defending champion UConn, No. 4 Auburn, No. 5 Iowa State, and No. 10 North Carolina.
The Battle 4 Atlantis kicks off its 13th men’s tournament on Wednesday, headlined by teams like No. 3 Gonzaga, No. 16 Indiana, and No. 17 Arizona. Hall of Fame coach Tom Izzo of Michigan State is making his fourth appearance at Maui, where he took over as coach in 1995, and has brought his teams to Atlantis twice since then, most recently in 2021.
“I think these tournaments are crucial because they provide exciting experiences in November and December,” Izzo noted.
But he also acknowledged the challenges of traveling, adding, “It’s a 10-hour flight to Hawaii.”
