Florida And Georgetown The Latest To Schedule Game On Ship

Mar 8, 2012; New York, NY, USA; Georgetown Hoyas guard Markel Starks (5) gets tripped as he drives to the basket by Cincinnati Bearcats in the third round of the 2012 Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden. Cincinnati Bearcats defeats the Georgetown Hoyas 72-70 in double OT. Mandatory Credit: Jim O'Connor-US PRESSWIRE

Florida and Georgetown will square off on a naval ship off the coast of Jacksonville on Nov. 9.

The success of last season's Carrier Classic game between North Carolina and Michigan State apparently turned more than a few heads, as early season games on naval ships has officially become college basketball's hottest new trend.

The latest teams to join the fray are Florida and Georgetown, who will play on a ship on Nov. 9 off the coast of Jacksonville at Naval Station Mayport.

"It is a tremendous honor for our team to be involved with an event that will recognize the contributions of the United States Navy and all of our military," Hoyas coach John Thompson III said in a statement. "It will be an incredible learning experience for all involved with our program. We appreciate the opportunity to participate in this historic game with Florida in Jacksonville."

The game is the third of its kind already scheduled for the 2012-13 season. Marquette will play Ohio State on a ship off the coast of Charleston, S.C., and Syracuse will take on San Diego State on the flight deck of the USS Midway, off the coast of San Diego. All three games are scheduled to take place on Nov. 9, the closest date to Veteran's Day without any competition from college football or the NFL.

Florida reached the Elite Eight last season before falling to Louisville, while Georgetown was upset in the round of 32 by North Carolina State.

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