It's not Alaska, but Michigan basketball team prepared for Old Spice Classic

Senior forward DeShawn Sims didn’t hesitate when asked about his favorite early-season college basketball tournament while at Michigan. Before the question was over, his eyes lit up and he said, “Alaska.”

“We saw a caribou, some snow,” Sims said. “Alaska was great. A lot of people didn’t like the trip. I liked it. We were in the dark, I love being in the dark. We didn’t have too much of anything other than sleep and play games.”

Michigan played in the Great Alaska Shootout in the 2007-2008 season, John Beilein’s first year as the Michigan basketball coach.

No caribou for Sims this year. Most Thanksgiving tournaments are in warm locales such as Maui, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands or this year’s destination for Michigan, Disney World for the Old Spice Classic, which begins Thursday. Michigan opens against Creighton at noon (ESPN2).

Beilein, now in his third season with Michigan and 17th as a head coach, is familiar with this tournament. He brought West Virginia to one of the first Old Spice Classics.

“It was experimental, a little bit,” Beilein said. “So I’m glad we’re back, and it really is a great field in it.”

Joining Michigan in the field is Creighton, Xavier, Iona, Marquette, Florida State, Baylor and Alabama.

Michigan and the rest of the teams will have an off day Saturday. Beilein said the team may go to some of Orlando’s amusement parks. Beilein even said he might get on Space Mountain.

“I, traditionally, will go on one or two, depending on how we’re playing,” Beilein said. “I’ve only been there one time and we did go on a couple things. It depends.

“Our off-day is really a day to gather up a little bit, but the coach is going to be part of the team bonding that goes on with off-days. We’re flying commercial down, commercial back, that’s all things that bring the team together, as well.”

Michael Rothstein covers University of Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by e-maiil at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein.