ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥

Matchup: North Carolina State (4-0) vs No. 2 ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ (3-0)

Where: Imperial Ballroom, Paradise Island, Bahamas

When: 5 p.m.

Watch: ESPN3 (streaming only)

Radio: 1290-AM, 107.5-FM

The series: ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ is 2-0 against NC State, having swept the Wolfpack during a home-and-home series during UA coach Sean Miller’s first two seasons with the Wildcats. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ won 76-74 on Dec. 23, 2009, at McKale Center, when Nic Wise drove the length of the court for a last-second layup, and won 72-62 on Dec. 19, 2010, at Raleigh, N.C., when Derrick Williams scored 22 points.

Like ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, NC State was able to get a head start on the season by taking a foreign exhibition trip during the summer. But the Wolfpack was in dire need of it, having fired coach Mark Gottfried last season, hiring Kevin Keatts from UNC Wilmington and returning only six players from last season.

Keatts, who was known for running an aggressive scheme with the Seahawks, has laid down a disciplined structure to the Wolfpack, while bringing in a pair of grad transfers to help offset the loss of three starters. NC State has found most success going small, with four perimeter players surrounding 6-8 Lennard Freeman, though the Wolfpack also has 7-foot Turk Omer Yurtseven, once a UA recruiting target.

Defensively, the Wolfpack presses constantly and its opponents have had the highest percentage of turnovers in Division I.

“With NC State, it’s about taking care of the ball, being able to get great shots, not have unforced turnovers. Hopefully, we have a confident group that can attack that press. Also they’re a high energy team, they offensive rebound and they’re the type of program that wants to outwork you. We have to be ready from the opening tip to the final buzzer because their style always allows them to make a comeback. It’s going to be a 40-minute game.�

— UA coach Sean Miller

A big reason small-ball works for NC State is the versatility of Dorn, who leads the team in rebounding at only 6-foot-5-inches. He loves to get to the basket and can be a decent 3-point shooter (though he’s made just 2 for 9 from long range so far).

The Wildcats may not be playing neutral-site games this week, if local fans show up to root for the skilled Bahamian big man. He’s posted double-doubles in each of his first three games and will undoubtedly be motivated to show off at home if given the chance.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ and other Battle 4 Atlantis teams are stationed at the massive Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island, which is basically a Las Vegas-style playground with a semi-tropical beach attached.

But before the Wildcats had much chance to look around, they took a 15-minute shuttle bus ride Tuesday morning to the real Bahamas: At Mt. Carmel Preparatory Academy in a residential section of Nassau, they talked, dunked, shot 3s and taught students to make the Wildcats’ “WC� hand signal.

It was a good time for both sides. The children screamed while watching local hero Ayton dunk on their outdoor court, they listened to Miller preach about academics, and the older ones took part in a question-and-answer session with Ayton inside a classroom.

“We had a chance to do some fun stuff and play basketball with them and really make their day — which was really enjoyable for us,â€� guard Allonzo Trier said. “And Deandre, we’re excited for him being able to come back home and be around so many family and friends and so many supporters that he brings for the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ program. It’s really exciting for him and we’re excited for this tournament.â€�

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ sophomore forward Rawle Alkins has hit the front end of the 8-12 week window he was estimated to be out when he underwent a Sept. 27 surgery to repair his broken foot.

But while Alkins has ditched his boot and accompanied the Wildcats to the Bahamas, UA coach Sean Miller said he won’t play this week and that he’s not sure when Alkins will return.

Since it began in 2011, the Battle 4 Atlantis has been known not only for its resort surroundings, but also for its unique game day environment.

The games are played in the gigantic Imperial Ballroom, which can accommodate 3,500-4,000 people but can squeeze in only 15 low-rising rows of stands along the sidelines. The top of the backboard is nearly halfway to the ceiling, too.

While ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ players had yet to practice inside the Imperial when they held their news conference Tuesday, NC State coach Kevin Keatts discussed how he experienced the 2012 tournament inside the building when he was a Louisville assistant.

Keatts said “guys tend to shoot a little better� when in a smaller environment because their depth perception improves, and that it’s a fun atmosphere to play in.

“It’s a great atmosphere,� Keatts said. “It’s like playing at a small Division I school. It can get going in there. … I had a lot of fun when I was in this tournament last time and it’ll be fun this time.�

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ fans aren’t the only ones anticipating a possible showdown with Villanova in the championship game on Friday.

So are Villanova fans … and that’s not been a good thing for coach Jay Wright.

“It’s a challenge when you hear about playing ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥,â€� Wright said. “There’s no guarantee you’re going to get there. You could lose in either one of the two games (before Friday) and if you lose it doesn’t mean you’re not a good team. This is a great field.â€�

Villanova will open with Western Kentucky on Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. and play either Purdue or Tennessee on Thursday.

0

Regular-season games ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ has ever played outside the United States before Wednesday.

4

UA players have strung together three straight double-doubles to begin a season, including Deandre Ayton.

24

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ wins in 30 games played in nonconference “multi-teamâ€� events under Miller, including title games in the 2012 Diamond Head Classic, 2013 NIT Season Tip-Off and the 2014 Maui Invitational.