Battle 4 Atlantis Returns to Thanksgiving Spotlight
The Battle 4 Atlantis tournament, now in its 15th edition, has become a staple of the early‑season college basketball calendar, drawing elite programs to Paradise Island in The Bahamas each Thanksgiving week. In 2026 the event will be held at Imperial Arena, where the format has been adjusted to include two groups of four teams, heightening the stakes of every early‑season contest.
Wake Forest's 2026 Opener Against Mississippi State
Wake Forest’s first test will come on Wednesday, Nov. 25, at 7:30 p.m., when the Demon Deacons travel to face Mississippi State in the tournament opener. This meeting marks the fifth matchup in program history, the last of which occurred in 1997 when Wake Forest posted a 74‑43 victory. The game will be played on Paradise Island, setting the stage for a rematch that fans have long anticipated.
After the opener, Wake Forest will meet either Memphis or Penn State on Friday, Nov. 27, at either 1:30 p.m. or 7:30 p.m., depending on the outcomes of the earlier games. A potential clash with Memphis would renew a rivalry that saw the Tigers edge the Deacons 69‑68 in last season’s Baha Mar Championship, while a showdown with Penn State would represent their first encounter since the 2019 Big Ten/ACC Challenge.
Mississippi State arrives in the Bahamas with momentum, having logged three NCAA Tournament appearances in the past four years, underscoring the competitiveness of the field. The tournament’s revised group structure promises intense early‑season battles, as each team fights for positioning before the holiday rush, making the event a pivotal moment for national rankings and postseason aspirations.