When most folks book a trip to the Bahamas, they do it for the opportunity to see beautiful scenery, great climate, and a chance to relax.
That’s not what Bruce Pearl has in mind for his Auburn basketball team as they travel this week to take part in the Battle 4 Atlantis.
The loaded field includes several talented teams including the Tigers, Uconn, Michigan State, Loyola Chicago, Syracuse, Baylor, and more.
Pearl talked about the opportunity and what his team can get out of a trip like this during his press conference Sunday.
“This is just an opportunity to play three great teams and it’s an opportunity to build or destroy your resume. We will travel Monday, we will get down there and practice Tuesday and play three games then head back Friday night.
“This is made for television. This is made for the opportunity to play against the best teams in the country and to get tested in all the different ways that you’re going to be tested. This is a business trip. There’s not going to be a lot of swimming with the dolphins. This is not going to be some cultural summer tour. We won’t be visiting any museums or spending much time on the beach. Now, we will enjoy the climate and the beautiful setting and the guys will get a chance to see that. Maybe someday, they can get a good job and make a decent living, they can take their wife, or fiance, or family there someday but we are there for business.”
Pearl’s Tigers are 3-0 after beating a scrappy USF team in Tampa, Florida this past week and will take on Uconn in their first game in the tournament Wednesday, November 24 at 1:30 CST.
[listicle id=28536]
Contact/Follow us @theauburnwire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion.