Carrier Classic: UNC Downs Michigan State On The USS Carl Vinson, 67-55

2011 Carrier Classic Photos: Scenes From A Spectacular Event

The North Carolina Tar Heels downed the Michigan State Spartans in the 2011 Carrier Classic, but the story of the evening was clearly the setting. Docked in San Diego, the flight deck of the USS Carl Vinson served as the venue for Friday night's matchup, and the ship was the star of the show.

Check out a few of the photos from the flight deck below and try not to have your jaw drop. You can't.

As darkness fell, the scenes were even more spectacular.

Superb photos courtesy of Harry How of Getty Images.

The Carrier Classic will be back again next year, which I think we can all agree is a great thing. Friday night's scene was jaw-dropping, and I'm not sure the novelty of watching a college basketball game on an aircraft carrier will ever wear off. Just way too cool to see.

For more on this game, Tar Heels fans should visit Carolina March while Spartans fans should join The Only Colors and SB Nation Detroit. Be sure to stay tuned to our Carrier Classic StoryStream for everything else taking place around this historic game.

Carrier Classic, UNC Vs. Michigan State Final Score: Tar Heels Win On The Ship, 67-55

It was closer than many expected, but the No. 1 North Carolina Tar Heels used a late first half spurt to take the lead before cruising to a 67-55 win over the Michigan State Spartans on Friday night in the Carrier Classic. The game was almost a subplot though, with the USS Carl Vinson and the San Diego backdrop taking center-stage. Basketball on an aircraft carrier on Veteran's Day is a sight to behold.

Michigan State held its own, taking an early lead and keeping Friday's matchup somewhat close throughout. UNC, try as it might, was never able to pull away, though the game was never much in doubt after a first half run had the Tar Heels heading into the locker room with a double-digit lead.

Harrison Barnes finished with a game-high 17 points while also grabbing six rebounds. John Henson and Dexter Strickland were also in double-digits for the Tar Heels, scoring 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Draymond Green scored a team-high 13 points and added a game-high 15 rebounds in the loss. Branden Dawson and Adreian Payne each added 10 points for the Spartans.

For more on this game, Tar Heels fans should visit Carolina March while Spartans fans should join The Only Colors and SB Nation Detroit. Be sure to stay tuned to our Carrier Classic StoryStream for everything else taking place around this historic game.

Carrier Classic Score Update: UNC Leads Michigan State At The Half

This is more like what we were expecting. After Michigan State inched ahead in the early-goings of the 2011 Carrier Classic, played on the flight deck of the USS Carl Vinson, North Carolina began to assert itself as the first half wore on. At the half, North Carolina holds a double-digit lead, 36-25.

Harrison Barnes and John Henson paced the Tar Heels in the first half, each scoring eight points. Barnes had three rebounds and an assist, as well. Dexter Strickland scored six points, with James Michael McAdoo and Kendall Marshall each adding four.

Brandon Dawson scored six points to lead the way for the Spartans. Brandon Wood added five, Draymond Green chipped in four and Derrick Nix had four points in the half, as well. Green has a game-high seven rebounds thus far.

And did we mention this was being played on a boat? Because it is. This game is awesome.

For more on this game, Tar Heels fans should visit Carolina March while Spartans fans should join The Only Colors and SB Nation Detroit. Be sure to stay tuned to our Carrier Classic StoryStream for everything else taking place around this historic game.

UNC Vs. Michigan State, Carrier Classic Score: Spartans Lead Early

After the pregame festivities finally came to a close, a real, live basketball game tipped off on the USS Carl Vinson, docked in San Diego. Michigan State and UNC have the honors in a game that was simply a brilliant idea. The setting is an absolutely incredible sight.

via 30fps.mocksession.com

But yes, there is actual basketball going on. Lopsided as the matchup seems on paper -- UNC comes in ranked No. 1 in the nation and is expected to be a juggernaut this year -- Michigan State is putting up a fight with a strong start. Just about midway through the first half, Michigan State holds the lead, 13-8.

Draymond Green and Derrick Nix each have four points to lead the Spartans. Brandon Wood has three points and Branden Dawson has two. Nix and Dawson each have four rebounds to lead the way, as well.

On the other side, Harrison Barnes has four points and a rebound. John Henson and Dexter Strickland each have two points.

For more on this game, Tar Heels fans should visit Carolina March while Spartans fans should join The Only Colors and SB Nation Detroit. Be sure to stay tuned to our Carrier Classic StoryStream for everything else taking place around this historic game.

PHOTO: President Obama's Leather Bomber Jacket For The Carrier Classic

Everything about the Carrier Classic is awesome. Basketball, Veteran's Day, an aircraft carrier ... it's just so perfect. It's enough to make anyone want to scream out "AMERICA" or "I'm on a boat." This, friends, is how every basketball game should be played.

And you can't tell me you don't want this leather Air Force One bomber jacket President Barack Obama is rocking for the festivities.

Via Clay Travis

Clearly a brand-new jacket being worn for the first time. If it was me, I'd probably never take the thing off.

For more on this game, Tar Heels fans should visit Carolina March while Spartans fans should join The Only Colors and SB Nation Detroit. Be sure to stay tuned to our Carrier Classic StoryStream for everything else taking place around this historic game.

UNC Vs. Michigan State Uniforms

The University of North Carolina Tar Heels and Michigan State Spartans will play one of the most unique games in college basketball history on Friday night as the two teams face off in the Carrier Classic. Since it will be the first-ever college basketball game aboard a United States Navy Aircraft Carrier - The USS Carl Vinson -- the teams will add to the patriotic nature of the Veteran's Day game with special camouflage uniforms.

The Michigan State uniforms have been given much better reviews than the Tar Heels jerseys, but when looking at the two together, it actually seems like a pretty neat tribute to the armed forces as the college basketball teams play on the aircraft carrier.

For what it's worth, both of the team's head coaches also seem to be fans of the uniforms with Roy Williams particularly enjoying the fact that "U.S.A." will replace last names on the back of their jerseys.

For more on this game, Tar Heels fans should visit Carolina March while Spartans fans should join The Only Colors and SB Nation Detroit. Be sure to stay tuned to our Carrier Classic StoryStream for everything else taking place around this historic game.

Carrier Classic: UNC Vs. Michigan State Game Time, TV Schedule And More

North Carolina and Michigan State will square off in the Carrier Classic, rain or shine, on Veteran's Day.

Carrier Classic 2012: Arizona Wildcats To Face UConn Huskies

The 2011 Carrier Classic hasn't even been played and already it's spawned a follow up game for next season. The Arizona Wildcats and Connecticut Huskies have agreed to play in the 2012 Carrier Classic, perhaps better known as THE COLLEGE BASKETBALL GAME PLAYED ON A FREAKING AIRCRAFT CARRIER ON SAN DIEGO BAY.

The inaugural Carrier Classic will be played on Friday -- Veterans Day -- between North Carolina and Michigan State in San Diego. The second edition would likely be played on Nov. 9, but is not set in stone.

With another matchup between marquee programs, this game could turn into a must-see annual event -- the NCAA basketball's version of NHL's Winter Classic.

SBNation Arizona's Scott Coleman is excited for the matchup:

This of course will likely be the first game between Arizona and UCONN since their last meeting in the 2011 Elite Eight. As 'Cats fans are well aware, UA came just a three-pointer short of a Final Four appearance. To say revenge will be on the minds of Solomon Hill, Kevin Parrom, Jordin Mayes and others is an understatement.

If the prospect of the Wildcats and Huskies matching up on an aircraft carrier is somehow not exciting enough, I offer this time-lapse video of the court getting set up for this season's game provided by the Navy. It cannot be watched enough times.

For more on the 2011 Carrier Classic, visit our Tar Heels blog Carolina March and our Michigan State blog The Only Colors, as well as our Comprehensive Carrier Classic StoryStream.

VIDEO: Carrier Classic Setup Time-Lapse Footage From The Navy

Michigan State Agrees To Play In 2013 Carrier Classic

PHOTO: So This Carrier Classic Thing Is Really Happening, Huh?

President Obama Attending Carrier Classic Game Between North Carolina, Michigan State

PHOTOS: Aircraft Carrier Mockups For UNC-Michigan State Game

UNC-Michigan State Aircraft Carrier Basketball Game Details Emerge

The aircraft carrier game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and Michigan St. Spartans isn't for many more months, but a report in the Lansing State Journal has presented some more info about the affair. Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan are expected to serve as the game's honorary captains. With each school's most famous alum aboard, this game would be a pretty big deal anyway, even if it weren't being played at sea.

Four thousand of the 7,000 seats will be reserved for military members -- with 1,500 more to be split between the two schools. Ensuring the crowd is almost entirely accounted for by the military and/or the two schools involved helps with security; as organizer Mike Whalen is quoted as saying, "Again, this is a United States warship."

There's still no word on which craft will be used, though the USS Ronald Reagan is the clubhouse leader.

For more, Heels fans should visit Carolina March, and Spartans fans should join The Only Colors and SB Nation Detroit.

UNC-Michigan State Aircraft Carrier Basketball Game Now Finally Official

Remember that story about the aircraft carrier game to be played between the North Carolina Tar Heels and Michigan St. Spartans? Thought it was a done deal already, didn't you? It is now, with the San Diego Sports Commission finally announcing the game will take place on Veteran's Day aboard an as-yet unidentified ship.

As far back as November, we were wondering how this game would work. However it ends up looking, it sounds pretty awesome.

In January UNC coach Roy Williams confirmed the report, and Sparty athletic director Mark Hollis shared that the game would likely admit about 6,000 spectators. According to the plan as it stood at the time, 500 tickets would be given to each school, with the remainder going to troops and their families. He also said they're looking to get Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan involved.

For more on water sports and patriotism, Heels fans should visit Carolina March, and Spartans fans should join The Only Colors and SB Nation Detroit.