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The first four minutes were an absolute blur for UNC Asheville.

UConn jumped out to a 16-3 lead before Asheville could even blink. Once the Bulldogs settled in, however, they gave the Huskies a nice fight.

“I wouldn’t want to play them every single day,” said UConn coach Jim Calhoun. “If you don’t bring it or you make mistakes, they’re right back at you.”

Shabazz Napier (AP)

Shabazz Napier and Jeremy Lamb went off once again, and the UConn frontcourt was largely disappointing. Andre Drummond made his first career start (nine points, five rebounds) while Tyler Olander and Alex Oriakhi combined for eight points and six boards.

“At this point, I don’t know if it’s something I can do — it’s something they need to do,” Napier said. “Sometimes, like Alex, I didn’t understand. On a fastbreak, I threw a ball that was like 30 miles per hour and he catches. When I lob it up, its five miles per hour and he can’t catch it. It’s weird. I love to see these guys score, but I hate it because it takes them out of their groove and coach yells at them. And I hate to see my guys with their heads down.”

* Napier said he  felt tired during the game. It didn’t show, but at least he’s being honest.

“I felt like when I got out there I was tired,” Napier said. “Five minutes into the game, I’m never tired. It was kind of weird; I don’t know what I did wrong. I literally been in my room sleeping here all day. I go to sleep at 9:30. I guess I’m getting too much sleep or I’m not eating alot.”

* Roughly 2,500 fans filed into the Imperial Arena for Thursday’s game. Even though Imperial Arena is a converted ballroom, it had the feel of a high school state championship game. All the fans (and there was a strong UConn showing) are practically right on top of the court. The players can hear the chatter in the stands, and when it’s quiet enough, the fans can hear the coaches and players.

“It brings you back to old times, tit-for-tat, going back and forth,” Napier said. “It brings you back to the good times in high  school.”

* UConn pushes the nation’s best win streak to 16 games. The Huskies, unbeaten in non-conference and tournament play in 2010-11, haven’t lost a non-league game since March 22, 2010 against Virginia Tech in the NIT.

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I’ve never seen anything quite like the Imperial Arena.

This eight-team preseason tournament is being held in a converted ballroom, and it’s not hard to notice. The lighting throughout is fairly dim, the tiled ceiling is low and, outside of the basketball court, the floor is carpeted. The place holds about 4,000 and doesn’t have a JumboTron. It feels more like a high school gym than a venue for a major college basketball tournament.

I know, the above description doesn’t paint a pretty picture, but from the first 10 minutes here, I’m a fan. I’ve always loved the packed-in, fans-on-top-of-the-court atmosphere. If they can fill this place up (not even close during the FSU – UMass game), it could make for a terrific setting.

Another big plus:  The place is so small that you can hear the coaches and players from the stands.

The Imperial Arena gets the thumbs up from me…let’s see how many UConn fans turn out for the game. From what I’ve seen over the last two days, UConn is more well-represented than any other school.

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Tonight’s game against UNC Asheville (7 p.m.) will be broadcast on HDNet, which has been added for Comcast subscribers.

If you have Comcast, here’s where you can find the game:

System/Channel

Hartford, Middletown, Clinton — 901

Branford — 62

Danbury / Carmel — 102

New Haven — 102

Lakeville — 98

Waterbury/Seymour — 77

Viewers with Cablevision will not be able to watch the game tonight.

If UConn beats UNC Asheville, Friday’s game against UCF, a 74-63 winner over College of Charleston, will be broadcast on the Versus Network ( Channel 146 for Cablevision subscribers in the Bridgeport area). Comcast also carries the Versus Network.

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Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Is it raining back home? It’s 88 and sunny here, in case you were wondering.

The Battle 4 Atlantis tournament gets underway today at 2 p.m. when UCF takes on College of Charleston. Florida State and UMass take the floor at 4:30 p.m., followed by UConn/UNC Asheville at 7.

If you don’t get HDNet, follow along in the live chat here.

Some personal notes to add:

Kenny George (Getty Images)

For those of you participating in the “Battle 4 Guessing When I’d Lose My Room Key,” the answer was within 24 hours. Technically, I didn’t lose it…I just left it in the room and had to get a replacement at the front desk. No big deal.

* Atlantis is an awesome place. It’s also reallllllllllllly expensive. On Tuesday, I went to the convenience store to buy contact lens solution. I picked out a small bottle (don’t need much for four days) and brought it to the cashier. She promptly showed me the price tag, which read $31.00!!!

We proceeded to pick out a “cheap” one that cost $13.50.

* Basketball is on the mind lately. Last night I had a dream that I saw Kenny George (left) on the casino floor. George was a 7-foot-7, 365-pound center for UNC Asheville three years ago.

I’m going to get some sun for the first time this trip.  Enjoy Thanksgiving and I’ll be chatting tonight.

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Once you’ve finished off the last of the turkey, join Kevin Duffy live from the Bahamas for a live chat as UConn takes on UNC Asheville in the first round of the Battle 4 Atlantis.

Then stick around afterward and follow along as Fairfield plays Arizona State in the first round of the Old Spice Classic in Orlando, Fla.

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What’s up everyone?

Just got to Paradise Island in Nassau (the Bahamas, not New Hampshire) for this week’s “Battle 4 Atlantis” tournament.

UConn plays its first game on Thanksgiving at 7 p.m against UNC-Asheville. Unfortunately, this tournament doesn’t have great TV coverage. Thursday’s game is on HDNet and the championship game is on Versus.

Quick note for Comcast subscribers in Connecticut: Comcast has added HDNet for the tournament. The listings are below.

System/Channel

Hartford, Middletown, Clinton — 901

Branford — 62

Danbury / Carmel — 102

New Haven — 102

Lakeville — 98

Waterbury/Seymour — 77

Atlantis (AP)

Some highlights from my journey to Nassau:

* Sports Illustrated writer/CBS analyst Seth Davis was on my flight from JFK. After observing Seth and his wife try to control three very active mini-Davises, I have even more respect for the guy. His job must be an around-the-clock responsibility, and little kids just have an endless supply of energy. God bless him.

* Watched The Hangover II for the first time during the flight. I figured I had to…only because I’ve seen the original about 70 times (that’s a serious estimate, by the way). The sequel was pretty much exactly like the first. I didn’t laugh much and left disappointed, but then again, I didn’t laugh much when I was The Hangover in theaters. And we all know how that turned out.

* Hundreds of people from various flights were going through customs Tuesday afternoon. Only a few were paged over the loudspeaker. One of them was Kemba Walker (or Kembay Walker, as they announced a few times before making the correction). Walker flew in from D.C. and is staying the whole week. We both had a miserable time retrieving our luggage. I camped out at baggage while everyone else from the JFK flight found their bags with ease. In desperation, I asked Kemba for help.

“I honestly have no idea,” he said.

Though it took more than a half-hour, I finally spotted my bag on a different conveyor belt.  Kemba was still waiting for his stuff when I left.

* In the Bahamas, they apparently drive on the left side of the road. Rest assured, though, cab drivers are just like they are in America — reckless and terrifying to ride with. One thing I couldn’t figure out: In a two-lane road, if you drive on the left, does the right side become the passing lane and the left is the slow lane? I hope to answer this question – plus many more – by the time I leave.

* I really wanted to eat something different and exotic for my first meal down here. As I looked out the cab window during the ride to the hotel, I realized the options were plentiful: KFC, McDonald’s, Burker King, Subway, Sbarros, etc.

I didn’t want to settle, so I considered some more authentic cuisine selections. After much deliberation, I ordered a Pineapple pizza from Dominoes. I’m eating it in my hotel room as I write.

That’s all for now. The media will be talking with UConn and UNC-Asheville tomorrow, and I’ll have plenty more info then.

Let’s hope Kemba found his luggage.